You probably already know that the sun can damage your skin, but did you know that the light that comes from your phone, computer, TV, and the majority of light bulbs can also damage your skin? Because of COVID-19, we are all spending a lot of time on our devices as a way to connect with others, but is all this blue light taking a toll on our skin?
When your skin is exposed to blue light for so many hours out of the day, every day, the effects can add up. Here’s what you need to know about blue light and your skin.
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is simply light on the blue end of the visible light spectrum, falling within the wavelength of 400 to 450 nanometers. This is a short wavelength which has a higher energy output and unfortunately, can cause greater damage to the skin. As already mentioned, blue light is not only found in sunlight but just as importantly, it also emits from the electronic devices now integrated into most people’s daily lives. According to Eminence Organics International Trainer Brian Goodwin, we are “typically exposed to blue light for over 13 hours a day between your cellphone and computer screen.” With the long, daily duration of exposure and the high potential for skin damage, blue light could be the next enemy number one for our skin health.
We are typically exposed to blue light for over 13 hours a day between your cellphone and computer screen.
Brian Goodwin, Eminence Organics International Trainer
What Do We Know About The Dangers Of Blue Light?
People started recognizing the impacts of blue light on sleep a few years ago. All of our late-night scrolling resulted in restless nights, and scientists researched to find out why. According to Harvard Health, blue light at night suppresses the secretion of melatonin, the hormone that affects the circadian rhythms that schedule your sleep/wake cycle. With a sleep cycle out of whack, many people don’t get enough sleep, leaving them open to health problems like depression, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
A restful night is not the only thing at risk. Blue light exposure to the eyes was one of the other potential problems that professionals first pinpointed.
Why Is Blue Light Harmful For Your Skin?
Blue light doesn’t burn your skin, unlike sunlight and UV rays, but that doesn’t mean it’s not harmful to your skin. Visible light, especially in the blue wavelength contributes to photo-aging, including wrinkles, worsening skin laxity, and hyper pigmentation.
Visible light, especially in the blue wavelength, has become a hot topic in skin care, as there is mounting evidence that supports its contribution to photo-aging, including wrinkles, worsening skin laxity, and hyperpigmentation.
Inflammation And Free Radicals
Academic studies like the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2010 found that exposing skin to the blue light we receive from the sun caused more pigment, redness and swelling than when the same person’s skin was exposed to similar levels of UVA rays. Supporting this is a 2015 study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, which concluded that exposure to blue light could stimulate the production of free radicals in skin, a major cause of premature visible signs of aging. The free radicals generated create unstable molecules, leading to inflammation which attacks the cells.
So, if we know that blue light is a danger to our skin, how does it actually cause harm and what are the effects? When your skin is exposed to blue light, it stresses the skin and causes inflammation. So, your skin becomes red and swollen. Free radicals damage DNA in your skin, which weaken your collagen and elastin. Weakened collagen and elastin mean your skin is at an increased risk for fine lines and wrinkles. Free radical damage also cause hyperpigmentation, leading to more signs of aging like dark spots.
The skin responds by immediately protecting itself with inflammation which gives signs of swelling and redness … This sets off a chain of other events that presents symptoms in the skin such as hyperpigmentation and a quicker breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Brian Goodwin, Eminence Organics International trainer
So, how do we protect our skin if we’re sitting in front of our devices for the majority of the day?
Cocoa Seed Extract: The Blue Light Skin Protector
Researchers have discovered that concentrated natural cocoa seed extract shields the skin from blue light damage because it helps block the skin’s blue light receptor cells. A decrease in cellular activity in these blue light receptors lowers free radical damage and boosts collagen and elastin production in the skin.
This unique extract contains three beneficial, naturally-occurring components. These are peptides, saccharides and antioxidants, which address the negative effects blue light creates, such as collagen breakdown, elastin degradation and hyperpigmentation. Peptides found in the cocoa seed extract are a chain of amino acids that help protect the skin from blue light stress, as well as boost collagen and elastin strengthening. Polyphenols are groups of organic compounds that have antioxidant benefits for the skin, protecting the skin from the free radicals created by blue light. Lastly, saccharides are sugars that attract water into the skin, they help prevent as well as treat the potential dehydration caused by blue light exposure.
At Eminence Organics, we have formulated a range of all mineral SPF moisturizers that is silicone free, employs non-nano zinc oxide technology and helps with environmental stressors. From our latest range of SPF moisturizers, one in particular helps with the look of skin exposed to blue light – the Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40. This lightweight daily moisturizer is formulated with cocoa seed extract, satsuma mandarin peel and SPF 40 all mineral protection to help skin exposed to blue light stress and pollution.
Want to order products to protect your skin from blue light? Call Facelogic Spa Upland at (909) 949-0385 or shop through our Eminence Affiliate Link.
