Cholecalciferol

« Back to Glossary Index

Vitamin D has noteworthy anti-inflammatory characteristics which can aid in the treatment of skin problems like dryness, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. Numerous beauty brands and even dermatologists incorporate this vitamin in night creams and moisturizers to improve the skin. It has been demonstrated that topical application of vitamin D3 can offer protection from the harm caused to the skin by UV light. Vitamin D reduces cell death, encourages the survival of cells, and to some degree, decreases the redness due to the photodamage of skin caused by UV radiation.

Cholecalciferol (Wikipedia)

Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3 and colecalciferol, is a type of vitamin D that is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.

Cholecalciferol
INN: Colecalciferol
Cholecalciferol.svg
Cholecalciferol-vitamin-D3-from-xtal-3D-sticks.png
Clinical data
Pronunciation/ˌkləkælˈsɪfərɒl/
Other namesvitamin D3, activated 7-dehydrocholesterol
AHFS/Drugs.comProfessional Drug Facts
License data
Routes of
administration
By mouth, intramuscular injection
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • (3S,5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.000.612 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC27H44O
Molar mass384.648 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point83 to 86 °C (181 to 187 °F)
Boiling point496.4 °C (925.5 °F)
Solubility in waterPractically insoluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, methanol and some other organic solvents. Slightly soluble in vegetable oils.
  • O[C@@H]1CC(\C(=C)CC1)=C\C=C2/CCC[C@]3([C@H]2CC[C@@H]3[C@H](C)CCCC(C)C)C
  • InChI=1S/C27H44O/c1-19(2)8-6-9-21(4)25-15-16-26-22(10-7-17-27(25,26)5)12-13-23-18-24(28)14-11-20(23)3/h12-13,19,21,24-26,28H,3,6-11,14-18H2,1-2,4-5H3/b22-12+,23-13-/t21-,24+,25-,26+,27-/m1/s1 ☒N
  • Key:QYSXJUFSXHHAJI-YRZJJWOYSA-N

Cholecalciferol is made in the skin following UVB light exposure. It is converted in the liver to calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) which is then converted in the kidney to calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). One of its actions is to increase calcium uptake by the intestines. It is found in food such as some fish, beef liver, eggs, and cheese. Plant and cow milk, fruit juice, yogurt, and margarine also may have cholecalciferol added to them in some countries, including the United States.

Cholecalciferol can be taken as an oral dietary supplement to prevent vitamin D deficiency or as a medication to treat associated diseases, including rickets. It is also used for familial hypophosphatemia, hypoparathyroidism that is causing low blood calcium, and Fanconi syndrome. Vitamin-D supplements may not be effective in people with severe kidney disease. Excessive doses in humans can result in vomiting, constipation, weakness, and confusion. Other risks include kidney stones. Doses greater than 40,000 IU (1,000 μg) per day are generally required before high blood calcium occurs. Normal doses, 800–2000 IU per day, are safe in pregnancy.

Cholecalciferol was first described in 1936. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2020, it was the 60th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 11 million prescriptions. Cholecalciferol is available as a generic medication and over the counter.

« Back to Glossary Index

Get to Know Reviva Labs - The Natural Skin Care Authority®

Trusted For Generations

It’s a great feeling to know Reviva is being “handed down” from mother to daughter – and even to their granddaughters. And for our next generation of loyal Reviva users we promise to keep delivering the natural skin care people respect and trust.

Learn More

Natural Skin Care For All

Because of our commitment to the safe, effective ingredients and formulations, most of our products are suitable for all skin types. And if a particular formula is not advisable for all skin types, we'll say so on the packaging.

Learn More

Virtual Consultation

Book your complimentary (free) 15-minute virtual skincare consultation (via Zoom), and one of our consultants will answer your questions and help you to customize a helpful Reviva skin care routine.

Read More

Cruelty Free Skin Care

Reviva Labs is committed to being cruelty-free and has been since our beginning. We’ve never tested on animals, and we’ve remained focused on sourcing our ingredients and all components of our products from like-minded companies.

Learn More