Frost is glittering on the leaves, puddles are frozen, and snow is falling gently onto snug cottages like icing sugar. That’s winter, right?
Well, maybe on a picture-perfect postcard.
In reality, winter can be a tough season for your body. Short days, long stretches of cloud, and less time outdoors mean many people don’t get as much sun exposure as they do in the warmer months.
Sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, so this drop can leave you feeling lower in mood, low in energy, and noticing changes in your skin and hair. 
Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D your body uses most easily, and it plays a key role in supporting immunity, mood, energy, and healthy-looking skin.
Below, we’ll look at why vitamin D dips in winter, how that affects things like mood and energy, and the simple habits that can help.
We’ll also show how a daily dose of our plant-based liquid collagen can support you when sunlight is in short supply.
What Vitamin D Does for Your Body
Vitamin D supports several essential processes in the body, including skin health, hormone balance, mood, and energy.
Your body naturally makes it when your skin is exposed to sunlight, but during winter, this becomes much harder because UVB light is limited, especially in the UK and Northern Europe.
Vitamin D3 is the most effective form because it mirrors the type produced naturally through sunlight. It supports:
● Normal immune function
● The maintenance of normal bones, muscles, and teeth
● Skin barrier strength
● Healthy hair growth cycles
● Normal psychological function
● Energy-yielding metabolism
In winter, many people notice changes such as reduced motivation, more fatigue, and drier skin.
These aren’t medical diagnoses - just common signs that your body may appreciate more sunlight or dietary support.
Why Winter Makes It Harder to Maintain Vitamin D Levels
Short days and colder weather mean spending more time indoors.
Cloud cover also blocks much of the UVB light your skin needs to produce vitamin D, which is why public health guidance often recommends supplementing during winter.
Even when the sun is out, many people are wrapped up in coats, scarves, and hats, meaning less skin exposure to natural light.
This doesn’t mean you must spend long periods outside - just that it becomes harder for your body to naturally synthesise vitamin D during the colder months.
A few subtle shifts can help, such as spending time outdoors during daylight hours, eating fortified foods, and choosing a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement.
Vitamin D3 Benefits for Skin, Hair, Mood, and Energy
Vitamin D3 supports your wellbeing in several ways that feel especially noticeable during winter.
Skin health
Vitamin D3 supports the normal function of the skin barrier, which can help it stay resilient through cold weather, central heating, and dry indoor air.
As vitamin D contributes to cellular processes in the skin, many people find their complexion looks more even and feels less tight when their levels are supported.
Arella’s formulation pairs vitamin D3 with other skin-supporting nutrients, including:
● Retinol (Vitamin A) – supports normal skin cell turnover and contributes to maintaining healthy skin.
● Vitamin C – supports normal collagen formation and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
● Hyaluronic Acid (vegan) – helps the skin retain moisture and improves suppleness.
● Biotin – supports normal skin and hair.
● Panax Ginseng – contains natural antioxidants and supports skin vitality.
● VeCollal® Amino Acid Blend – provides the building blocks your body uses to produce collagen.
Together, these ingredients support skin hydration, elasticity, and texture - ideal during the colder months.
Mood and mental wellbeing
Many people feel a “winter dip” as daylight hours shorten.
Vitamin D contributes to normal psychological function, and D3 is the form your body can use most easily.
Arella’s formulation also includes B vitamins (niacin, B6, biotin, and folate), which help reduce tiredness and fatigue and support the normal functioning of the nervous system.
This combination makes the supplement especially supportive during winter, when energy levels can fluctuate.
Energy
Vitamin D3 supports normal muscle function and energy-yielding metabolism.
When paired with the full B vitamin complex in Arella, it helps your body convert food into energy more effectively, supporting daily resilience throughout the colder months.
How to Get More Vitamin D in Winter
There are several simple, safe ways to support your vitamin D levels during the cooler, darker months. These are easy to build into your routine without major lifestyle changes.
Spend time in natural daylight
Even on cloudy days, natural light exposure is helpful. A short walk at lunchtime, sitting near a bright window, or getting outside for errands can all make a difference.
Aim to step outside whenever daylight is available, even if only for 10–20 minutes.
Choose fortified plant-based foods
Because very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and even fewer plant-based options do, fortified foods can help increase daily intake. Useful options include:
● Fortified plant milks (almond, soy, oat)
● Fortified cereals
● Fortified orange juice
● Fortified tofu
● Fortified plant-based yoghurts
Always check the label, as vitamin D content varies.
Consider a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement
Supplementation is one of the most reliable ways to support vitamin D levels in winter.
A great supplement should include vitamin D3 (not D2), be easy for the body to absorb, and work alongside other nutrients your body naturally relies on during colder months.
Why Arella’s Vitamin D3 Blend Supports Winter Wellbeing
Arella Collagen contains plant-powered vitamin D3 alongside a full complex of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and botanicals designed to support skin, mood, energy, and daily wellbeing.
Key benefits of the formulation include:
● Vitamin D3 to support immunity, normal psychological function, and healthy skin
● Vitamin C to support collagen formation and protect against oxidative stress
● B Vitamins (including niacin, B6, B1, folate, and biotin) for energy, fatigue reduction, and normal nervous system function
● Retinol (Vitamin A) for skin health and cell turnover
● Panax Ginseng for antioxidant support and overall vitality
● Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and skin elasticity
● Biotin for normal hair and skin
● VeCollal® amino acids to support collagen production naturally
With a Japanese plum flavour, it’s an easy and enjoyable part of your daily self-care routine - especially when your body needs extra support during winter.
Simple Habits to Support Your Winter Routine
Small, consistent habits can make a big difference to how you feel through the colder months. Alongside supporting your vitamin D intake, consider:
● Staying hydrated throughout the day
● Using a humidifier or skin barrier-supportive skincare
● Maintaining a gentle movement routine
● Prioritising rest and daily daylight
● Choosing nutrient-rich, plant-based meals
These habits work alongside supplementation to support your skin, mood, and overall vitality.
Supporting You Through the Colder Months
Winter naturally changes how much sunlight you’re exposed to, and that shift can influence your mood, your skin, and your energy levels.
A little more daylight, some winter-friendly habits, and steady nutritional support can make these months feel much easier on your body.
If you use a daily supplement, choosing one that includes vitamin D3 alongside skin and energy-supporting nutrients can be especially helpful at this time of year.
Our plant-based liquid collagen brings these ingredients together in one simple step, making it an easy addition to your winter routine.
For more tips on wellbeing, take a look at our other blog posts.
