How can you protect your skin from blue light damage?

Blue light, also known as High Energy Visible (HEV) light, is a type of light that is emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and LED lights. Unlike UV rays, which are known to be harmful to the skin, blue light is a type of light that is relatively new to our awareness, and its impact on our skin is not yet fully understood. In this article, we will explore what blue light is, how it affects the skin, and what you can do to protect your skin from its potential damaging effects.

What is Blue Light?

Blue light is a type of light that is visible to the human eye, with wavelengths ranging from approximately 400 to 500 nm. It has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than other visible light.  This means it can penetrate deeper into the skin. Blue light is present in natural sunlight, but it is also emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and LED lights.

How blue light affects your skin - cherish beauty blog

How does Blue Light Affect Your Skin?

Here are some of the ways blue light affects the skin:

Accelerated Aging

Blue light has been shown to penetrate deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB rays.  This results in more damage to the skin. Studies have shown that blue light exposure can lead to accelerated skin aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. This is because blue light can penetrate deep into the skin and cause oxidative stress, which damages collagen and elastin fibers, leading to premature aging.

Inflammation

Blue light exposure can also cause inflammation in the skin.  This can lead to redness, swelling, and irritation. This is because blue light can activate the body’s immune response, causing the release of pro-inflammatory molecules that can damage the skin.

Disruption of Circadian Rhythm

Exposure to blue light at night disrupts your natural circadian rhythm, affecting sleep quality, leading to increased inflammation & premature ageing

Exposure to blue light at night can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, resulting in reduced sleep quality. Sleep is essential for healthy skin, as it is during this time that the body repairs and regenerates skin cells. Disrupted sleep can lead to a weakened skin barrier, increased inflammation, and premature aging.

How to Protect Your Skin from Blue Light

Here are some tips on how to protect your skin from the potential damaging effects of blue light:

Use Antioxidant-rich Products

Antioxidants are powerful molecules that can help to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are produced when the skin is exposed to blue light. Look for skincare products that contain antioxidants.  Examples of great antioxidants are green tea extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid.  These can help to protect the skin from blue light damage.

    • Green tea extract is an excellent antioxidant in skincare to prevent blue light damage.  This is due to its high content of polyphenols, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  EGCG is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by blue light and other environmental stressors.
    • In addition, green tea extract has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce skin inflammation and redness that may be caused by blue light exposure. Overall, incorporating skincare products made with green tea extract can help to provide effective protection against the negative effects of blue light on the skin.
    • All Cherish Beauty Natural Daily Moisturisers contain Green Tea Extract, ensuring you are well protected daily from blue light damage to your skin.

use products rich in antioxidants such as cherish beauty daily moisturiser with green tea extract

Our Cherish Beauty Rejuven-Eyes Natural Eye Serum helps combat photo-aging, and is particularly beneficial to those who spend a lot of time on phones and computers.  It is specially formulated with Green Coffee Bean oil, organic Rosehip, Baobab and Argan oils, as well as Marula and Sweet Almond oils.  This product is uniquely designed to reduce dark circles under the eyes, increase circulation and lessen fluid retention (which causes puffiness).  It also combats free radicals and tightens and tones skin.

Wear Sunscreen

While traditional sunscreens are designed to protect the skin from UV rays, some sunscreens also offer protection against blue light. Look for sunscreens that contain ingredients like iron oxide or titanium dioxide, which can help to block blue light.

wear sunscreen to help bock the negative effects of blue light on your skin

Limit Screen Time

One of the most effective ways to protect your skin from blue light damage is to limit your exposure to electronic devices. Try to reduce your screen time, especially before bedtime, to give your skin a break from blue light exposure.

Invest in a Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector

They are designed to filter out the blue light frequencies that are known to disrupt our health, skin and sleep patterns. By blocking these harmful wavelengths, screen protectors can help reduce the negative effects of blue light on our skin, as well as improve quality of sleep and overall health.

Use Blue Light-blocking Glasses

Blue light-blocking glasses are becoming increasingly popular, as they can help to reduce blue light exposure and protect the eyes from digital eye strain. Some blue light-blocking glasses are also designed to block blue light from reaching the skin.

blue light screen protectors and glasses help prevent blue light damage to skin and eyes

Conclusion

Blue light exposure and it’s impact on the skin is a relatively new concern, although it is becoming increasingly important as we spend more time in front of electronic devices. Blue light can have negative effects on the skin, however by taking steps to protect your skin from blue light, you can help to minimize its potential damage.

It is worth noting that while blue light exposure may have negative effects on the skin, it is not all bad news. Blue light has been shown to have some positive effects on the skin., These include its ability to reduce acne-causing bacteria and improve mood.

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