20% off €45 or 15% off €35
Not sure which vitamin D supplement is right for you? We asked our nutritionists to help find your perfect match, from sprays and drops to gummies or tablets
Our top picks
Mango-flavoured
Novomins
Novomins Vitamin D3 4000IU Mango Flavoured 60 Gummies
3 for 2 Mix & Match
€22.99
Vitamin D3 + K2
BetterYou
BetterYou D4000+K2 Daily Oral Spray 100µg 15ml
3 for 2 Mix & Match
€16.49
Helps bone maintenance
Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3 1000 I.U 25μg 240 Tablets
3 for 2 Mix & Match
€15.49
Vitamin D is a nutrient your body simply can’t do without. But getting enough during winter, from diet and sun exposure alone? It’s not always that easy. So, we spoke to two of our in-house registered nutritionists, Sanjana Bhatt and Holly Pullen, to help you better understand the role of vitamin D, the different types it comes in and our favourite supplements to help you (or your little ones) stay topped up.
Why is vitamin D so important?
When the sun hides behind the clouds (which, let’s be honest, is most of the year in the UK), your body misses out on its main source of vitamin D. This little nutrient does a lot behind the scenes, storing in the liver and releasing when your body needs it – supporting bones, teeth, muscles and immunity.1 It’s such an important vitamin for us that the UK government actually recommends everyone take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D a day between October and March.1 But some of us may need it all year round – especially if we spend most of our time indoors, covered up, have darker skin, are pregnant or live with certain conditions.3,4
“Your vitamin D intake should first and foremost come from your diet – you’ll find it in large amounts in oily fish, cod liver oil, mushrooms, egg yolks and fortified foods,” Holly explains. But hitting the mark every day can be tricky, which is why a good vitamin D supplement can be a reliable way to keep your levels topped up.
What types of vitamin D supplements are there?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to supplements – the best vitamin D is the one that fits your lifestyle.
- Tablets and capsules – easy to pop with your morning or evening routine
- Sprays – perfect if you’re always on the go
- Gummies – sweet chewables that even adults love
- Drops and liquids – simple for kids or anyone who doesn’t like swallowing pills
And here’s the good news: there’s no clear evidence that one form is more effective than another, so it’s really down to what suits you best.5,6
Our top vitamin D supplements
These tablets are perfect for anyone who is looking for a classic, reliable vitamin D supplement that does what it says on the tin. Each tablet provides 25µg of vitamin D3 to support the maintenance of normal bones, muscles and the normal function of your immune system.1 Take one daily with a sip of water and you’re good to go.
Sanjana says, “Some people only need to take vitamin D during winter months, whereas some may need to take vitamin D all round the year”. These tablets are a simple, fuss-free way to complement a well-rounded diet, all year long.
When it comes to premium vitamin D supplements, these tablets are hard to beat. With vitamin D3 and a loyal following among wellness enthusiasts, Solgar’s tablets are your everyday essential to support normal bones, muscles and function of the immune system.1,2 Easy to take, easy to love – just one a day does your wellness routine a big favour.
When you’ve got a newborn, simplicity is everything. That’s why our experts love these baby-friendly drops – they provide 10µg of vitamin D3 per serving in a simple liquid form, specially made for little ones from birth. It’s an easy, stress-free way to support your baby’s immune system and normal bone growth development, with just a few drops a day.1
Struggle to take tablets? Sweet, simple and sunshine-y – these gummies are the kind of supplement you’ll look forward to taking. With 4000IU of vitamin D3, these delicious mango gummies are great for when you’ve been told to up your levels – though our experts remind us that most people don’t need this higher dose every day unless it’s been recommended.4
Another great option if taking tablets isn’t your thing – these vitamin D gummies taste good and do good. They make getting your daily sunshine vitamin feel easy, with a soft chew and a bright citrus flavour that fits neatly into any routine. Vegetarian and gelatine-free, each gummy delivers a meaningful 1000IU of vitamin D3 to help keep your bones strong, support calcium absorption and your immune system.1,4 It’s simple, tasty, everyday support for your immune system – no water, no fuss, just grab and go.
If your levels are on the low side, this high-strength option helps you catch up. With 100µg of vitamin D3 in every tablet, it’s designed to deliver meaningful support – especially useful for anyone with limited sunlight exposure or darker skin tones.3,4 This once-a-day dose provides support for bones, muscles and immunity when you need that little extra lift. It’s a simple, reliable way to get your vitamin D back on track.
Quick, tasty and great for anyone who prefers to avoid tablets, you won’t have to think twice – just spritz this oral spray inside your cheek and get going. This dynamic duo blends vitamin D3 and K2 – two nutrients that work hand in hand for healthy bones.7
We’ve brought together key nutrients that support everything from your bones and muscles to your daily energy levels. Each serving gives you 41.6% of your daily NRV of calcium to help maintain normal bones and muscle function,8 alongside 133mg of magnesium, which contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue.9 There’s also 8mg of zinc to support healthy hair, skin and nails, as well as your immune system.10
Altogether, it provides more than a third of your recommended daily intake for each of these essential nutrients. With 2.50µg of vitamin D included to aid calcium absorption.11 Fitting it into your day is easy – just take one tablet with a meal and a glass of water to build a consistent habit that supports your long-term wellbeing.
What’s the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3?
There are two main forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 comes from plant sources such as fungi and mushrooms, making it suitable for vegan diets. Vitamin D3 is the same form your body naturally makes when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Most supplements use vitamin D3 sourced from lanolin (a natural wax found in sheep’s wool), although vegan options made from algae are also available.
Both forms are well absorbed in the body, but, as Sanjana explains, “D3 is the form your skin naturally makes from sunlight, so it tends to raise and maintain your vitamin D levels more effectively than D2.”
Vitamin D FAQs
For most people, you probably don’t need to take vitamin D during the summer, as your body can make enough from sunlight when you’re spending time outdoors and eating a balanced diet.1 That said, if you’re rarely outside, tend to keep your skin covered, live in a care setting or have darker skin, you might not get enough from sunlight alone.1 In those cases, taking a daily supplement can still be helpful, even in the sunnier months.1
For most people, the recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 10 micrograms (400 IU), including adults, children over one year and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.1 Babies under one year need slightly less, around 8.5 to 10 micrograms a day,1 (if your baby drinks over 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula daily, they don’t need a supplement, as the formula already contains vitamin D).12 You might see vitamin D listed in either micrograms (mcg) or International Units (IU), but they’re just different ways of measuring the same thing.1
Yes, vitamin D is often taken alongside calcium, magnesium or vitamin K2, which can support bone health and absorption.13 Discover more about this with these powerful supplement pairings that are more effective together, according to nutritionists.
The final say
Your body loves vitamin D – and giving it what it needs doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you prefer a tablet, spray or gummy, the right supplement helps keep your bones healthy, your immune system ticking over no matter the time of year. If you’re concerned about your vitamin D intake, ask your GP about a quick blood test. Once you know, it’s easy to find your perfect vitamin D fix and feel your best, come rain or shine.
Whether you're looking for winter essentials or wondering about multivits for all year round – check out our round-up of the best foods for your gut health, find out how echinacea can help relieve symptoms of a cold or dive into more vitamins and supplements with our go-to winter essentials.
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. National Health Service. Vitamins and minerals – vitamin D. [Internet]. London: NHS; 2025 [cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
2. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Scientific opinion on the dietary reference values for vitamin D. EFSA Journal [Internet]. 2016 Oct [cited 2025 Nov 3];14(10):4547. Available from: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4547
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups (PH56). [Internet]. London: NICE; 2014 [cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56
4. National Health Service. How much vitamin D should I take? [Internet]. London: NHS; 2025 [cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
5. The Pharmaceutical Journal. Oral spray delivers vitamin D as effectively as capsules, research suggests. [Internet]. London: Royal Pharmaceutical Society; 2016 [cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/oral-spray-delivers-vitamin-d-as-effectively-as-capsules-research-suggests
6. Charoenngam N, Holick MF. Efficacy of vitamin D3 buccal spray supplementation compared to other delivery methods: a systematic review of superiority randomised controlled trials. Nutrients [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Nov 3];15(1):142. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36555647/
7. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Vitamin D and vitamin K in bone health. [Internet]. Cochrane Library; 2022 [cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/
8. NHS. Calcium - Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/calcium/
9. Pickering G, Mazur A, Trousselard M, Bienkowski P, Yaltsewa N, Amessou M, et al. Magnesium status and stress: The vicious circle concept revisited. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 28;12(12):3672.
10. Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: a Review. Dermatology Research and Practice [Internet]. 2014;2014(1):1–11. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/
11. Khazai N, Judd SE, Tangpricha V. Calcium and vitamin D: Skeletal and extraskeletal health. Current Rheumatology Reports [Internet]. 2008 Apr;10(2):110–7. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2669834/
12. https://www.facebook.com/nhswebsite. Baby vitamins - Best Start in Life - NHS [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/baby-vitamins/
13. van Ballegooijen AJ, Pilz S, Tomaschitz A, Grübler MR, Verheyen N. The Synergistic Interplay between Vitamins D and K for Bone and Cardiovascular Health: a Narrative Review. International Journal of Endocrinology [Internet]. 2017;2017(1):1–12. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/
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