Light can impact our skin and health in major ways. And, while sunlight might be the most well-known culprit of premature signs of aging, it is not the only one. The truth is, we probably spend less time in the sun than we do in front of the blue light. “Blue light is the typical light emitted from electronic devices, including our phones, computers, TVs and other electronic devices,” says Alissia Zenhausern, N.M.D. Thanks to the modern tech-savvy world we live in, exposure is unavoidable. And, unfortunately, many of us are exposed to unhealthy levels, aka blue light pollution.
What is blue light pollution?
Much like sunlight — UV rays — there is such a thing as too much blue light exposure. “Blue light pollution is the term coined for our excessive use of electronic devices that actually interfere with our body’s natural circadian rhythm [sleep cycle],” says Zenhausern.
While blue light pollution can have a detrimental impact on the sleep cycle — including triggering insomnia, fatigue and sleep disturbances — as well as cause eye strain and headaches, it can also wreak havoc on the complexion. And get this: It is very similar to that of the sun’s damaging UV rays.
How does it affect your skin?
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In terms of skincare (and health), blue light is like a man-made version of the sun. But, unlike the sun, you can not just go inside or wait until nighttime to steer clear of its destructive path. “Blue light contains a certain type of wavelength (typically between 380 to 400 nanometers) that can actually damage the skin over time,” says Zenhausern.
“This doesn’t mean that using your phone at night for a few minutes will cause damage. However, if you do that every night or fall asleep with the TV on, you expose your skin and body to blue light at a much higher degree, [which] can be damaging,” she adds. As far as blue light skin damage goes, Zenhausern says it mostly causes a change in “color pigmentation, inflammation and can even cause premature aging.”
How can you reduce blue light exposure?
“There are many effective ways to help reduce your risk of light exposure. The easiest eliminating electronic devices at night, especially if the electronic device is the only form of light that is on,” says Zenhausern.
In terms of skincare, blue light is like a man-made version of the sun
Zenhausern suggests countering technology with technology — use software and apps specifically designed to reduce exposure. “F.lux [is] a free downloadable software that can help reduce the blue light exposure from your computer and phones,” she explains. “RedShift is another great app that helps adjust the color of your screen according to the position of the sun in your location,” she adds. And, since blue light does not just affect the skin, using glasses can also help reduce the impact that it has on your body. Zenhausern recommends using “glasses like Swanwick, which can be worn to reduce your blue light exposure while watching TV or when you are on your computer.” These glasses can be worn both during the day and at night and can help combat ailments like strain and headaches that are commonly associated with blue light.
Much like with the sun’s UV rays, the skin needs antioxidants to protect itself from blue light damage. However, not many antioxidants are up for the challenge. Lutein is one of the only carotenoids powerful enough to protect against the negative effects of blue light pollution. It is “an amazing antioxidant that helps protect your eyes from damage, including that caused by blue light from our computers and phones,” says Zenhausern.
In addition, a powerful SPF can keep your complexion protected both indoors and outdoors. The ingredient Xanthophyll is another plant-based carotenoid that accomplishes this by absorbing blue light. It is important to look for this in products that claim to be blue light blocking so you can ensure that your skin is properly safeguarded.
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FAQs
Blue Light and Your Skin
How can I protect my skin from blue light? ›
Consider using a tinted sunscreen that shields UV and blue light, like the EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum. The formula's iron oxides block blue light; this ingredient is also commonly found in other sunscreen products.
Do I need sunscreen for blue light? ›
You've been told to defend your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, but you should also shield your skin from the damage in front of you – blue light. This powerful light is a “silent aging agent” that attacks skin cells by creating free radicals (reactive oxygen species).
What does blue light do for your skin? ›
Blue light therapy can also treat other types of skin disorders. It can be used to improve skin texture and reduce sebaceous hyperplasia, or enlarged oil glands. It can help with removing sun spots, acne, and even scars that were originally caused by acne.
Is blue light bad for dark skin? ›
Blue light can cause skin hyperpigmentation, particularly in dark‐skinned people. The degree of pigmentation is more obvious than the pigmentation induced by UV rays, and the blue light‐induced pigmentation can last as long as 3 months.
How damaging is blue light to your skin? ›
Blue Light and Your Skin
Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation.
Do cell phones emit blue light? ›
The sun also gives off blue light, helping us feel awake, energized, and ready to take on the day's activities. However, digital devices such as smartphones, TVs, and computer screens also emit blue light, which can impact our ability to fall asleep. Dr.
What ingredient protects skin from blue light? ›
If you're wondering how to protect skin from blue light, the key is to look out for products that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or iron oxide. These can be found in mineral sunscreens and sit on the surface of the skin to create a physical barrier to the light rays.
Does vitamin C protect against blue light? ›
Clinically proven to boost skin's brightness, targeting pigmentation issues and revitalizing dull skin, vitamin C serum helps protect skin against free radical damage from the sun, pollution, and blue light.
Is blue light as bad as UV? ›
Wavelength of blue light
In fact, they're only slightly longer and less powerful than UV waves, which are too short for people to see with the naked eye. Health experts have warned against the harmful effects of UV rays, which can damage your skin and your eyes. High energy blue light waves are nearly as powerful.
In addition to sleep issues, blue light can also cause skin cell damage. There isn't an exact amount of blue light that is known to cause skin cell damage. However, research does show that being exposed to 12 hours a day of blue light is likely to accelerate aging, possibly even with skin cell damage.
What are the side effects of blue light? ›
This high energy blue light passes through the cornea and lens to the retina causing diseases such as dry eye, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, even stimulating the brain, inhibiting melatonin secretion, and enhancing adrenocortical hormone production, which will destroy the hormonal balance and directly ...
Is blue light bad for your skin acne? ›
Blue light therapy is a noninvasive treatment for acne. It appears to be safe, with only mild adverse effects. However, only limited research suggests this technique might help with managing acne. A form of phototherapy, blue light uses light to kill certain bacteria on the skin.
Do computer screens age your skin? ›
Blue light can be found in TVs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Too much of it can affect our sleep, and some believe it can cause premature skin aging. More research is needed, but vitamin C and sunscreen have strong anti-aging benefits.
Is LED damaging to the skin? ›
Studies suggest that visible light, including blue light, may cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or make existing hyperpigmentation worse, especially in those with melanin-rich skin (aka dark skin tones). It's also been shown to potentially cause redness in those with light skin tones.
Can blue light cause tan? ›
Much like UV-A light, blue light has been shown to cause hyperpigmentation, or tanning. “We are probably going to see some of the same effects with blue light as we see with UV-A light, such as increased risk for cancer and photoaging,” Orengo said.
Can you protect yourself from blue light? ›
Wear Sun-Protective Clothing
In addition to using sunscreen and staying in the shade, you may also reduce your skin's exposure to blue light by wearing sun-protective clothing. Clothing that covers your skin can help protect against harmful blue light and UV rays.
Does vitamin C protect skin from blue light? ›
Replenish essential skin nutrients:
Replenishing the skin with essential nutrients and topical antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, it will assist reduce the damaging effects of blue light.
