Technology makes our lives easier, and screentime has become a fact of life. Whether you’re catching up on emails, FaceTiming a friend, or binge-watching your favorite show, you’re bound to clock a lot of hours staring at a screen. Unfortunately, this also means spending a lot of time exposed to blue light, which can negatively affect the eyes and skin. The spectrum below shows where blue light becomes harmful and the damages that may follow.
According to Harvard Health, blue wavelengths are the most commonly emitted light coming from our electronic screens. Harvard researchers found that six hours of blue-light exposure suppressed melatonin, the hormone that helps control sleep-wake cycles. It’s not just our eyes that suffer. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that blue light penetrates the skin and may also contribute to wrinkles and discoloration.
A graph from Business Insider shows that U.S. adults consume on average more than four hours each day. This does not factor in all screen time, which also includes phone, computer, and tablet time.
Such screen time subjects the eyes and skin to prolonged periods of blue light exposure. Fortunately, there are a number of products spa-goers can use to protect their skin.
Murad’s City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ boosts the skin’s defenses while fighting off environmental toxins. This multipurpose sunscreen protects skin from UVA, UVB, pollution, infrared radiation, and blue light.
Paula’s Choice Essential Glow Moisturizer illuminates and protects skin with SPF 50 and 12 antioxidants. It keeps the skin safe from time in the sun or in front of a screen.
While sunscreen is a must, night creams are important, too. Estée Lauder created the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex to prevent and repair the effects of blue light and other environmental stressors.
Looking for an all-in-one sunscreen, primer, and moisturizer? Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil is infused with cacao and sugar particles. This multitasking product defends the skin against UV rays and blue light.
CoverFx Water Cloud Primer + Pollution & Blue Light Defense provides a defense layer against outside pollution and heavy metals.
Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum provides immediate and long-lasting hydration while shielding skin from extended exposure to blue light.
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