Views and Practice Vitamin D and dermatology

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone and can be acquired by humans through cutaneous photosynthesis, diet or supplements. There are two forms of vitamin D from the above three sources: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is naturally found in plants like sun-dried mushrooms (e.g. shiitake mushrooms), while vitamin D3 is synthesised in human skin and is present in vitamin D-rich food of animal products (Figure 1).