We’re Staring At Screens More Than Ever And It’s Affecting Your Skin. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.

When Apple added a “Screen Time” feature to its devices in 2018 that allowed users to monitor how much time they spend on their devices, your weekly average was likely a little...startling, to say the least. Yes, it's probably bad for your mental health, but could these blue light-emitting devices also be taking a toll on your skin health?

“Blue light, or high-energy visible (HEV) light, is primarily from the sun, but it’s also emitted by our phone, tablet, and computer screens,” explains board-certified dermatologist Deanne Robinson, MD. While blue light can at times be beneficial (i.e. for killing bacteria and treating acne), Dr. Robinson says that being exposed to too much of it can also “prompt the formation of free radicals, which break down collagen and cause inflammation, leading to redness, dark spots, and wrinkles.” It can also darken hyperpigmentation, especially in deeper skin tones, so it’s important to protect skin from its powers in the same way we do from the sun.

Her tips to help prevent and combat the damage: antioxidants and mineral, broad-spectrum sunscreen. "Antioxidants do not physically block the light, rather they work to neutralize oxidative stress caused by the light," Dr. Robinson explains. "Next, layer overtop a mineral-based, physical sunscreen that will shield the light. Be sure to choose a broad-spectrum formula which protects skin against UVA/UVB and blue light."

As much of the world now shifts to work-from-home setups and becomes increasingly reliant on devices, it seems more impossible than ever to shrink the daily screen time average. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, most of the blue light we’re exposed to comes from the sun, but as research continues to show, we are spending more than half of our waking hours interacting with devices and are therefore exposed to more blue light now than at any other point in history. Luckily, there are plenty of products that provide blue light protection and help shield skin from its harmful effects. From serums to sunscreens to screen protectors, there’s fortunately no shortage of ways to guard your skin from blue light, and now is the perfect time to add them to your daily routine.