A decade ago, the idea of the effects of blue light on our skin was not exactly the subject of conversation, let alone the intense trend of beauty. But no wonder our devices and the screen time has increased tremendously—Phone users with the largest devices currently spend 4 hours and 30 minutes a day in their devices, which leads us to the next question: is blue light harmful to skin health? Of course, the beauty industry responded to the call with blue skin light. We are talking about serums, toners, mists and sunscreens with the aim of protecting your skin from the effects of blue light. But are they necessary and more importantly, do they work?
Our evenings have been lit with artificial light for a while and most of us have known for a long time exposure to blue light it can have a negative effect on our eyesight and our sleep (take them out glasses that block the blue light!). But some research He pointed out that blue light can disrupt our circadian rhythm, which can increase the risk of depression, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that we also have doubts about the health of our skin.
So when beauty products that block blue light appear everywhere, we needed to know how blue light affects the skin and what all the products are. If you’re thinking the same thing, we have the answers from a committee-certified dermatologist, Dr. Geddes-Bruce. He answered all our questions to clarify the skin light, and he impressed us with his answers!
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First, what exactly is blue light?
The visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum is made up of light of all the colors of the rainbow (as opposed to things like microwaves that we can’t see). Among the spectacular lights, blue light has one of the greatest energies. Sources of blue light are indoor lights (fluorescent and LED), digital screens like your iPad or phone, and the sun, so it’s impossible to escape exposure. And right now it’s a hot topic …scientists are trying to understand how blue light affects our eyes, our mood, sleep and even our skin!
What are other harmful lights and how do they relate to each other?
Of course, not all types of light are harmful to our skin. There is a greater concern about the potential for damage to the eyes and skin if you advance in the spectrum to lights with shorter wavelengths and higher energies. “The most well-known form of light is ultraviolet light, which is the blue (and violet) past of the spectrum in the invisible part,” says Dr. Geddes-Bruce. “Ultraviolet light is the main cause of photo aging (think wrinkles and brown spots) and skin cancer. As we move in the other direction of the spectrum we see the opposite effect; red, orange, and yellow lights are being studied to heal wounds and reap their benefits in collagen stimulation. “
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So does blue light have a negative effect on the health of our skin?
It’s not a simple answer to yes or no. Dr. Geddes-Bruce explained that our relationship with blue light (depending on the skin) is a bit complicated and needs to be further explored. There are some potential harms that blue light can cause. It can cause some pigmentation conditions on the skin, such as melasma, and can cause brown spots and general aging on certain types of skin. On the other hand, some evidence has shown that blue light can also help kill skin bacteria that cause acne. If you have seen your blue light setting LED light mask, that’s why! You may want to avoid using this color setting before going to bed.
Are all kinds of blue light harmful to our skin?
Dr. Geddes Bruce has assured me that larger sources of blue light (like the sun) are much more harmful than what you are experiencing when checking a text message, but the more time you spend looking at screens, the more we need to examine whether this additional exposure is clinically significant.
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If you spend a lot of time in front of the screen, is it more important to include blue light protection in your routine?
Probably, but no need to panic and spend hundreds of dollars on blue light blocking products. It certainly doesn’t hurt to use filters and protection. You can see the benefits in your skin, eyes, mood and circadian rhythm / sleep pattern.
Any tips for reducing exposure to blue light in other ways?
Dr. Geddes Bruce has a blue night light filter on his iPhone for most of the day. “Everything seems to be a little warmer (so don’t go online for lipstick shopping – I made that mistake), but it’s an easy way to limit a frequent source of exposure, especially in the evenings,” he said. he says. Don’t forget about the computer screen too, it’s pretty easy to adjust the warmth of the screen. Look at your reduction night schedule when it can most affect melatonin production (and melatonin production affects your skin).
Another hot tip from Dr. Geddes Bruce to avoid being exposed to blue light on the skin is to wear sunscreens that specifically block that part of the visible spectrum, such as those containing iron oxides.
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How do anti-blue light products work?
Some contain particles that block blue light (like the iron oxide we mentioned earlier in Dr. Geddes Bruce) and others contain components to combat the damage of blue light. He said to look for ingredients like antioxidants, polyphenols / flavonoids, and there is also a type of algae that appears to benefit the skin regeneration process.
Best blue light blocking products:
Since you get more exposure to blue light from a 20-minute walk with the sun than you do all day, Dr. Geddes Bruce says your best line of defense is sunscreen that blocks visible light. Choose a physical lock and, above all, to know that you are receiving the right type of protection.
With hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and minimize the appearance of fine lines, this is a favorite. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide gentle, chemical-free protection while antioxidants fight free radicals that age the skin.
This innovative formula uses SPF 50 100% mineral sunscreen, an innovative enzyme blend of peptides, antioxidants and photoliases to repair existing sun damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The SunBetter Tone Smart Sunscreen is a unique compact formula that offers SPF 68 broad-spectrum protection through a mineral-adjusting tone formula that blends seamlessly with most skin tones. Lightweight, smooth and silky and long lasting, it can stay on for another 80 minutes before it needs to be reapplied.
The 3-in-1 therapy, which cleanses the eye cream, works as a daily sunscreen and works as a device / concealer, with ingredients that work to block the blue light and protect the delicate area under the eye.
A powerful combination of day and night antioxidants designed specifically for young skin and aimed at preventing and repairing high-energy damage from blue light, pollution, ozone and the sun.
It is a very versatile product. Just add a drop or two to your favorite sunscreen to give it more coating / camouflage flaws and to protect it from the blue light. It goes a long way!
