How Bad Is Blue Light for Skin, and What Can Be Done About It?
Got the blues?
Courtesy of Shiseido
We know that UV rays, pollution, smoking, stress, cold weather, hot weather, and the simple passing of time are bad for skin. Over the past couple of years, another one has been added to the list: blue light.
Blue light is a component of visible light—a specific band of wavelength. Its primary source is sunlight, but it is also emitted by digital screens, which means it’s pretty much unavoidable in the world around us. “Blue light has been shown to have negative impacts on skin including stimulating pigment production and accelerating photo aging,” dermatologist Dr. Shannon Humphrey says. It may also impact our circadian rhythms—exposure to blue light indicates to our brains that it’s daytime and we should be wide awake, so screen time in bed can lead to poor sleep, which in turn can affect our skin.
How big are the effects? It’s hard to quantify, Humphrey says, because of lack of research and because of all the myriad things that affect skin. “We don’t completely understand how blue light exposure compares to UV exposure and other impacts on skin such as smoking and pollution,” she explains. “And then patient exposure varies between patients and from day to day, so there’s a lot of lack of standardization and requirement to understand some of the more real world complex aspects of blue light exposure.”
Do we need to buy specific products to shield against blue light? Not necessarily, Humphrey says. “The good news is sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide, zinc dioxide and iron oxide, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, provide protection from blue light.” In other words, products that we’re already using (possibly with a few tweaks) can shield us from some of the effects of blue light—as well as some lifestyle changes, like trying not to doomscroll late at night.
Want to add some blue-light-protecting oomph to your skin-care routine? Here are seven products to try.
Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protective Cream
This moisturizing cream has SPF50+ to shield against UVA and UVB rays, plus antioxidants to combat blue light. The brand’s Intelligent Daily Defense technology allows anti-inflammatory red light to pass through and soothe skin.
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Eminence Organics Shiitake & Ashwagandha Bi-Phase Mist
Spray this on after cleansing and before serum/moisturizer or through the day as a refreshing spritz. It contains an antioxidant blue light complex, plus ingredients to help restore the moisture barrier, improve texture, and reduce inflammation.
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FunctionaLab Mineral Sunscreen
A physical sunscreen with a tint to make it less visible, this also includes antioxidant vitamins C and E, plus anti-inflammatory ingredients niacinamide, allantoin, and bisabolol.
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IS Clinical Daily Dynamic Hydrator
Principally a moisturizer (it contains humectant and moisture-barrier-repairing ingredients), this also has antioxidant vitamin C, anti-aging/repairing exosomes, and peptides.
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Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Transparent
Mineral sun protection comes from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, while hyaluronic acid helps with hydration, and vitamin E and gingko leaf provide antioxidants. The brand promises no white cast from its mineral protection, even on darker skin tones, and the sunscreen is also an excellent base for makeup.
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Skinbetterscience Alto Advanced Defence and Repair Serum
There are 19 antioxidants in this serum, ranging from the well-known ones such as green tea and vitamins C and E to a plant extract called chlorogenic acid. Also in the mix, peptides for anti-aging and brightening licorice extract. It’s fragrance free, lightweight, and easily absorbed.
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Designed for the eye area, this contains antioxidant vitamin C, phloretin, and ferulic acid. As well as protecting the skin from pollution and blue light, this has caffeine and a plant extract called Ruscus aculeatus for depuffing. Use half a pump per eye, every morning.
