By Grace Eberts, Academic EIC
For years I’ve been told that I need to wear sunscreen every day no matter the weather or the amount of time I spend in the sun. Since the “work from home” revolution began, I have pretty much ignored this advice, only applying sunscreen when I’m planning to soak up some sun during a warm day. I couldn’t imagine that I needed to be wearing sunscreen as I sat inside with little-to-no direct sunlight. However, when I went in for my yearly check-up at the dermatologist, my doctor was not pleased to hear this. I quickly learned that I needed to apply sunscreen everyday to not just protect myself from the sun, but also from my screens.
The screens of your iPads, computers, phones, and even e-readers emit blue light, one of the colors in the visible light spectrum. Blue light is unique because it has short wavelengths, giving it extremely high energy levels.
Recently, many have become concerned about the effects of blue light on our eyes, deteriorating the quality of our vision and confusing the body’s natural energy cycles. But what is the effect of blue light on our skin?
Blue light does not have the same direct link to skin cancer that UV rays do, but it can still penetrate deep into your skin. Research surrounding the long-term effects of blue light on our skin is very limited as it is only in recent years that people have started to spend upwards of 12 hours a day staring at a screen.
Harper’s Bazaar cites dermatologist and product developer, Dr. Murad, who said, “spending four eight-hour workdays in front of a computer exposes you to the same amount of energy as 20 minutes in the midday sun.”
Many studies have begun to hint at the long-term effects of the constant low-level exposure from our devices. For many, the effects will look similar to those from the sun. Early aging, hyperpigmentation, and excessive redness or irritation may be signs that you need to do more to protect your skin.
Blue light also affects our skin in more indirect ways by disrupting our vision and sleep patterns. Blue light exposure can trick your brain into thinking that it needs to be alert and awake. This in turn can lead to a lack of sleep, which is consistently linked to many skin concerns. The eye irritation from blue light may also cause you to rub or scratch your eyes, leading to extra bacteria transfer to your skin or additional wrinkles due to how the skin is stretched.
The only good thing about exposure from your screens is that you shouldn’t have to worry about UV rays. That being said, it’s extremely important that your daily sunscreen has blue-light blocking ingredients so your skin is as protected as possible. Here are a few recommendations to keep your skin young and healthy!
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF ($37)
This sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, while also adding moisture and being fragrance-free. This is a great choice for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.
Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA +++ ($36)
This is my personal favorite! It provides light coverage to your skin while keeping it natural and glowy. It contains cocoa peptides which help protect the skin from Blue Light exposure.
Cocokind Daily SPF ($25)
This sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae to protect against UVB, UVA, and pollutants in the air. Cocokind is a really clean brand, so this is another great choice for sensitive skin.
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil ($39)
This product will provide you with a bit of coverage if you are looking for something to conceal and protect. I’ve used this product in place of a foundation many times for the daytime!
