The sun’s UVA and UVB rays have long been known to harm skin, but the damage is now coming from your digital devices. Blue light from screens has been shown to cause hyperpigmentation and accelerated skin aging.
Try adding anti-blue light skincare products to your routine to protect your skin. These contain antioxidants that help quench free radicals and reduce the effect of blue light.
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is a high-energy visible (HEV) light found in sunlight and emitted by electronic devices like tablets, phones, and computers. It’s known for its ability to help regulate sleep and wakefulness, but new research suggests that prolonged exposure may also accelerate skin aging. It generates reactive oxygen species, damaging DNA and breaking down collagen.
It can also cause pigment changes, like hyperpigmentation, and a loss of the skin’s barrier, which leads to dryness, sensitivity, and inflammatory acne. In addition to speeding up the aging process, it may lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
Thankfully, it is possible to protect your skin from the adverse effects of blue light. A straightforward way is to reduce screen time by using a blue light-blocking app or buying a specialized cover for your computer or phone that filters out the HEV light. Another option is to slather on skincare products that contain protective ingredients like antioxidants, zinc oxide, iron oxide, vitamin C, and algae extracts.
In addition, blue light skincare protection has gained importance in recent years, with skincare products formulated to shield against the potentially harmful effects of blue light emitted by screens and electronic devices.
Contacted several dermatologists for expert recommendations for the best blue light skincare products. Please read how to use them to keep your complexion healthy, radiant, and youthful.
How Does Blue Light Affect Your Skin?
The blue light emitted by screens on digital devices is not the same as UV rays that cause sunburn. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t cause any damage. The difference is that UV rays are absorbed by the pigment in our skin and only cause changes to the surface layer of the skin, whereas blue light penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and causes damage at a cellular level.
The primary way in which blue light harms the skin is by triggering oxidative stress. This happens when the light interacts with our skin’s lipid molecules and proteins, creating free radicals. These free radicals accelerate aging, disrupt collagen and elastin fibers, and disturb the skin barrier. This leads to blotchiness, uneven skin tone, and premature aging.
Additionally, blue light exposure can impact the balance of fat cells by decreasing the secretion of the adipokine hormone. This leads to enlarged fat cells, leading to obesity and other health problems.
You may take various things to lessen the damaging effects of blue light on your skin. Wearing blue light-blocking glasses, turning down the brightness on your electronics, and eating a diet high in antioxidants will all help scavenge any free radicals that may have been exposed to blue light. Also, using a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and products with vitamin C and algae extracts can help prevent the formation of free radicals caused by blue light.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Skin from Blue Light?
As we become more reliant on digital devices, we must know how blue light affects our skin. While blue light emitted from the sun is known to cause damage, it’s also emitted from screens that are often closer to our faces. This isn’t as damaging to the skin as UVA and UVB rays, but it can still negative impact.
The good news is that we can do a few things to protect our skin from blue light. Among the most critical steps is reducing screen time and investing in skincare products with blue light protection. In addition, incorporating antioxidants into your routine can help quench free radicals that may be generated from blue light exposure.
Another good option is to use covers for your tech devices that block the blue light emitted from them. Also, dimming your screens can limit exposure and make it easier for your body to fall asleep at night.
Finally, look for blue light skincare products that contain antioxidants like vitamin C and niacinamide. These ingredients can help reduce oxidative stress, which in turn helps to slow down the aging process. A care collection contains a potent antioxidant called capsicum annuum fruit extract that can absorb HEV (390 – 500 nm) and protect the skin’s photoreceptors.
What Are the Best Blue Light Skincare Products?
You’ve probably heard of polarized sunglasses and blue light-blocking screens, but new skincare products promise to shield your skin from digital harm. These blue light-protecting beauty products include serums, tinted sunscreens, and masks designed to hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and protect your eyes from the damaging effects of screen time. We consulted experts, including dermatologists, for the best blue light skincare options.
This serum is made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and reduce the look of fine lines and a complex of nocturnal micro-algae to regenerate and revive tired complexions. It’s recommended to be applied after cleansing and before bed for a refreshed and radiant glow.
Another option is this anti-aging and pollution-defending face oil. It’s formulated with vitamin C, which is known to help mitigate the damage from blue light and air pollutants. Additionally, it contains rosehip oil, a potent anti-aging component that firms and hydrates skin by penetrating deep layers of the skin.
Finally, a tinted mineral SPF is necessary for any blue light-protecting routine. Look for formulas that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which form a barrier on the skin and reflect harmful rays away from it.