We're all well aware of the damage UV rays have on our skin but did you know there is a new threat in town?!
You are exposed to an average of four hours of blue light radiation each day. This number would be higher if you have an office job where you sit in front of the computer from 9 to 5.
With social media and phone addiction at an all-time high, some reports state that millennials check their phone a gob-smacking 157 times a day! While this digital addiction has an impact across many areas of our lives, from relationships to productivity, we need to ask the question – what is the impact on our skin?
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is the part of the light spectrum that falls between 400 and 500 nanometres (nm) wavelength. It can come from the sunlight but also from LED lights and digital device screens.
While most of us know not to look directly into the sun, we think nothing of staring into our devices for hours on end, even though this is where the majority of our blue light exposure comes from.
What Is Blue Light Radiation Doing To Your Skin?
You’ve likely already heard about how blue light can interfere with a good night’s sleep, but there is now a growing amount of evidence showing that it can also damage our skin, putting more wear and tear on our complexion at a younger age.
Scientific studies have revealed that blue light is a significant factor in cases of premature ageing of the skin. It has also been linked to the degradation of skin structure and a decrease in the level of collagen, which gives the skin its supple appearance. The effects of blue light in premature ageing can be seen in:
- Pigmentation, melasma and brown spots
- Break down of collagen and elastin
- Damage from free radicals
While SPF products offer broad spectrum protection, they only absorb UVA and UVB radiation. Blue light is the next wavelength along the spectrum to ultra violet, however it has a similar risk profile. We recommend using a products that help protect against blue light.
When choosing skin care products to help protect your skin from blue light damage, focus on those which are high in antioxidants. Look for products that use direct as well as indirect antioxidants – you need both kinds to lower the damage to your skin caused by blue light.
What are antioxidants?
They are compounds found in food that literally search out and deactivate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable chemicals caused by the process of oxidation in the body.
The best way to understand what antioxidants are is they are “anti” (against) oxidation – “antioxidant”. Some of the best direct and indirect antioxidants to use in your skincare products are:
- Green tea
- Elderberry fruit
- Kakadu Plum Seed Oil
- Vitamin C (found in Kakadu Plum Seed Oil and Quandong Extract)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
- Tasmanian Pepper Berry Extract
- Grape seed oil
- Rosehip
- Sandalwood Seed Oil
So How Can You Protect Your Skin From Blue Light?
Use antioxidant-packed skincare
Start protecting your skin from blue light radiation now with our Essential Beauty Pack.
This pack is a dynamo of skin protection with the products utilising Green Tea, Lilly Pilly, Quandong Extract, Kakadu Plum and Tasmanian Pepper Berry – all rich in antioxidants to give your skin a fighting chance against the free radicals caused by blue light.
Shield your skin from blue light with a screen protector
Also, try getting a special filter that goes over the screen of your phone and filters out many blue light rays. It doesn’t affect your experience of using your phone, but it will help prevent premature skin ageing from exposure to blue light.
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants
The following foods will nourish your body and boost its natural defences against free radicals:- Avocados
- Berries
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Grapes
- Citrus fruits
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Cantaloupe
- Tomatoes
Learning about new dangers to your health and skin can feel overwhelming to deal with, especially when it involves something we all do, like using digital devices!
But with these simple suggestions, you can feel confident in knowing how to combat the destructive effects of blue light radiation on your skin.