Spending more time staring at a screen ever since you started working from home? Besides experiencing eye strain and fatigue, you are also exposing your skin to blue light, or High-Energy Visible Light (HEV) which emits from computer monitors, mobile phone screens, fluorescent lamps and the sun.
Although blue light can actually be useful for eliminating Propionibacterium acnes bacteria in small doses, it becomes a problem when we are exposed to it for extended periods of time. Blue light can penetrate deeper than UVA rays and lead to premature skin aging, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. While you can limit screen time or use dim settings on your devices to reduce blue light exposure, it’s just as important to use products that will protect your skin from blue light damage.
Here are our top picks.
This iconic serum from SkinCeuticals is power-packed with three antioxidants—vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, to shield your skin from environmental aggressors like UV rays, pollution and blue light. It can help to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness, and brighten the overall complexion.
Prep and protect your skin with this ultra-light face primer that combats the effects of UVA, UVB and HEV light that emits from the sun and your devices. The fast-absorbing and non-greasy formula also includes antioxidant-rich vitamin C and E which help to brighten up your skin, and neutralise pollutants.
This face mask aims to negate the harmful effects of blue light and every day pollutants on your skin and is targeted at those who live in a city environment or spend hours in front of a screen. A powerful antioxidant blend of raspberry, pomegranate and blueberry, as well as hyaluronic acid and ceramides give you glowy skin that is firm and hydrated.
Featuring the key ingredient, pink peony essence, this spot corrector helps to fade the appearance of dark spots while promoting a more even-looking skin tone. The rich cream formula is non-sticky and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Made with six powerful botanicals and hyaluronic acid, this lightweight serum not only hydrates, but protects skin against blue light damage from long hours spent in front of computer screens and mobile devices.
This primer has a mousse texture which cools skin down and ensures even coverage of your foundation to help it stay on all day. In addition, it also contains ingredients to protect skin against environmental aggressors, as well as blue light damage.
The Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection offers complete protection against UVA, UVB, Infrared and blue light damage. It’s also formulated with antioxidants which help neutralise free radicals, protecting again against premature ageing (read also “How The First Clinically-Proven Blue Light Sunscreen Was Developed“).
The ést.lab SunShield SPF 50 is ideal for use when you just need a light coverage during the weekends. The Colour-Adaptive Technology blurs out imperfections without leaving a grey cast on skin, perfect as a makeup base as well. It also utilises Anti-Blue Light Technology to negate blue light damage, which can cause hyperpigmentation, photo ageing and inflammation.
One of the only products in the market which is dedicated solely to protecting skin against blue light damage, this serum is worn under sunscreen to form a veil against hyperpigmentation, while infusing skin with hydration.
The Murad City Skin Age Defense sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen which reflects harmful UV light, infrared and blue light. Its colour-correcting tint evens out the skin tone, while antioxidants help neutralise the harmful effects of free radical damage.
The Sisleyouth Anti-Pollution Blue Light Shield offers a well-rounded protection against pollution, as well as blue light. Ingredients like organic buckwheat seed extract provide excellent antioxidant properties to strengthen skin’s barrier against free radicals.
This lightweight moisturiser not only provides SPF 40 protection against sun damage and blue light, it is also hydrating and reef-safe. Perfect for use when you’re going on your next beach holiday.
This article was first published in Harper’s Bazaar.