A lot of skincare products on the market promise to help protect your skin from blue light, which is emitted by the sun and by the digital devices we spend so much time on every day. (Smartphones, laptops, tablets… these days it’s pretty much impossible to go even a few hours without looking at a screen!) But do you really need protection from blue light…or is it just another passing skincare trend? We’ve got the answers you need to keep your skin healthy, protected and glowing.
What is blue light, anyway?
Good question! Blue light is also known as “high-energy visible” or HEV light. Like UV light, it comes from the sun during the daytime. It’s literally the reason we see the sky as blue! But blue light also comes in the form of high-frequency, artificial light from digital devices.
We already know that UV rays from the sun can lead to premature aging. UVB rays cause sunburn in the short-term, and UVA rays are responsible for skin damage in the long-term. In case you need a quick refresher, repeated exposure to UVA rays breaks down your skin’s collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles and loss of firmness, and also leads to hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. dark spots). Both UVB and UVA light contribute to skin cancer, according to the MD Anderson Center at the University of Texas.
Now, there’s no evidence that blue light causes skin cancer, but studies show it can penetrate into skin’s deeper layers and contribute to hyperpigmentation and premature aging. One of the reasons, according to research published in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, is that blue light may produce free radicals on the skin. What’s a free radical, you ask? Long story short, free radicals are the bad guys of skincare. According to the study authors, they “cause inflammation and the destruction of the skin's healthy collagen and elastin, which furthers skin laxity, early aging of the skin, and wrinkles.”
Overexposure to blue light can also disrupt how skin’s pigment-producing cells work, triggering “hyperpigmentation, melasma, and uneven and excessive dark blotches on the skin.” More bad news: this disruption is even more prevalent in people who have deeper skin tones.
Sooo what can you do—especially since staying away from screens is not an option? Don’t stress. There are (easy) steps you can take to protect your skin from blue light damage.
How can you reduce your exposure to blue light?
If you’re looking to counteract the effects of blue light on skin, we have good news. One of the best things you can do is to use skincare with antioxidants. Remember how we just mentioned free radicals are the bad guys of skincare? Antioxidants are the skincare superheroes that help to counteract free radical damage.
Curious about the best ingredients for blue light protection? One antioxidant that’s especially effective is ectoin. It’s not as well-known as say, Vitamin C, but when it comes to blue light defense, it packs a powerful punch. As NYC dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss explained to our friends at Allure, ectoin is “an extremolyte, which is extracted from extremophilic microorganisms. Extremolytes help protect cellular integrity in extreme weather conditions.”
By protecting cellular integrity, ectoin also offers protection from visible light… including (drumroll, please!) protection from blue light skin damage. What’s more, ectoin can help reduce inflammation, support your skin’s barrier, prevent moisture loss and improve elasticity. We included ectoin in both our Botanical Ketoacid Toner and Hydraflash Cocooning Serum, so you can automatically add this protective antioxidant into your daily skincare routine.
Does sunscreen protect against blue light?
Yes! Sunscreen does offer blue light protection, but there’s a catch: It’s best to use a tinted formula that includes iron oxides, which help to deflect blue light. Iron oxides are commonly found in mineral sunscreens. Our founder Dara Levy is a fan of Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral SPF 36, which contains iron oxides. Live Tinted Hueguard Skint Tint SPF 50 also includes iron oxides and comes in a range of shades from deep to fair. We all know sunscreen is a key to both anti-aging skincare and healthy skin in general, so slather it on every single day. You can also try to cut down on screen time (we know, we know—easier said than done) or pick up a blue light filter for your phone, tablet or laptop.
What if I already have hyperpigmentation or wrinkles?
If you’re already seeing discoloration or dark spots, apply a serum that contains brightening ingredients, which help reduce the look of hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C tends to be a go-to brightening ingredient, but it’s notoriously unstable and can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
At DERMAFLASH we’re big fans of niacinamide, a skincare superstar that helps brighten and even out skin tone without irritation. As far as wrinkles or fine lines, look for peptides, which help to support collagen production and visibly firm up skin. We included niacinamide and target peptides in our Hydraflash Cocooning Serum to give you a one-two punch against discoloration and wrinkles.
And last but not least, exfoliation! A consistent exfoliating routine helps promote cellular turnover, “break up” the pigment deposits responsible for discoloration and dark spots, and also promotes collagen production. We conducted a clinical study and an independent instrumental analysis showed that after just 4 weeks of using LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning once a week, 97% of testers had less visible fine lines + wrinkles and 94% had reduced appearance of dark spots
So there you have it… why blue light protection is a necessary (an easy!) addition to your skincare routine. Choose a serum with ectoin and an SPF skin tint with iron oxides, and keep scrolling without stress.
