Vitamin D is known to enhance the rate of melanin synthesis; and this may concurrently regulate the expression of furin expression.
Vitamin D increases melanogenesis and the tyrosinase content of cultured human melanocytes by its antiapoptotic effect. However, a few growth-inhibitory effects on melanocytes were also reported.
Concerning skin color, our results concur with previous data [30,32,33,34] showing that vitamin D deficiency varies by light and dark skin phototypes, i.e., dark skin color was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D synthesis is highly dependent on the concentration of melanin in the skin as melanin absorbs and scatters UVR-B, resulting in a less efficient conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3[3]. Therefore, dark-skinned individuals will experience slower vitamin D synthesis than light-skinned ones.
Studies suggest vitamin A is important to melanin production and is essential to having healthy skin. You get vitamin A from the food you eat, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas.
Ultraviolet Radiation as a Regulator of Melanogenesis
A major extrinsic regulator of melanogenesis is ultraviolet radiation (UVR), including UVA and UVB light. This is the main stimulus for melanin production, leading to induced pigmentation of the skin, or 'tanning'.
A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation. Sun exposure is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation as it's sunlight that triggers the production of melanin in the first place.
4) Does vitamin D brighten skin? A. The cholesterol in your skin converts to vitamin D when it absorbs sunlight, and further helps make your skin and cells healthy and happy. This way, vitamin D helps in determining your skin tone and in turn, make it radiant and bright when exposed correctly.
Fair-skinned people who are prone to sunburn may need to take supplements to ensure they get enough vitamin D, say experts. It appears that those with pale skin, while not deficient, may still be lacking in the essential vitamin that the body makes from sunlight.
Again, on day 6, 25-(OH)-D levels of fair-skinned volunteers increased significantly (median: 11.9-14.3 ng/ml, p < 0.0001), but not in black-skinned people (median: 8.60-9.57 ng/ml, p = 0.375). Conclusion: This study suggests that skin pigmentation negatively influences vitamin D synthesis.
Kaufman concluded that darker skin pigmentation is associated with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Serum vitamin D level also appears to be related to intake of vitamin D – rich foods and multivitamins containing vitamin D, but not self-reported level of sun exposure or use of sun protection.
A dull complexion can be a sign of a lack of Vitamin D. Your complexion may appear slightly grey, your skin not as plump or supple as usual, and you may also have darker under eye circles, this is because the skin needs Vitamin D for the skin cells to regenerate properly and remain healthy.
The continued use of Vitamin C can help prevent dark spots or hyperpigmentation from forming. Studies have shown that it can impede the production of melanin, the brown pigment that gives the skin its color. It's a superior brightening agent that works to fade spots without altering the normal skin color.
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring substance and an essential nutrient. It has various biological and pharmaceutical functions. It inhibits melanin synthesis through downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
Melanin is the substance in skin that makes it dark. It "competes" for UVB with the substance in the skin that kick-starts the body's vitamin D production. As a result, dark-skinned people tend to require more UVB exposure than light-skinned people to generate the same amount of vitamin D.
Melanin is the pigment that provides skin color, and individuals with darker skin have more of it than those with lighter skin. Having more melanin reduces your ability to synthesize vitamin D from the sun, resulting in lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, according to the ODS.
Often called the 'sunshine vitamin', vitamin D plays an integral role in skin protection and rejuvenation. In its active form as calcitriol, vitamin D contributes to skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism. It enhances the skin's immune system and helps to destroy free radicals that can cause premature ageing.
It can help protect against skin damage, reduce puffiness, calm inflammation, improve skin turnover, and minimise fine lines & wrinkles! Studies have shown that healthy levels of vitamin D helps to prevent skin ageing1,2. The active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) helps with skin cell growth, and skin repair!
There is no approved medicine, pill, or procedure that can increase melanin production, says Ko. The only way to increase melanin production is through UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning beds. However, this does not safely boost melanin and will only increase your risk of skin cancer.
Though many products claim to boost melanin levels, there isn't any research that supports their effectiveness. Experts continue exploring ways to naturally increase melanin to prevent sun damage and skin cancer. There's also a common misconception that tanning is a safe way to increase melanin.
Autoimmune conditions
If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin. Vitiligo is also associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), but not everyone with vitiligo will develop these conditions.
8. Brightens skin. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): B12 encourages cells to reproduce, evening skin tone, and brightening dull and dark spots. It also helps reduce inflammation, acne and can treat skin conditions like eczema.