If you can’t put down your mobile phone – whether it is for a selfie or to post your life on social media – it’s time to mourn for your skin. Reason: your mobile phone emits blue light, which studies have shown is causing oxidative stress in your skin.
As you would imagine, as we rely more and more on our mobile devices for every interaction and entertainment, the damage that blue light have on our skin will only progressively increase.
Blue light is bad news
During our mothers’ time, people were probably only going to care about the prevention of sun damage by avoiding UV rays and applying sunscreen religiously. But in this digital era, besides the sun, blue light is fast becoming one of the top reasons why our skin is ageing prematurely.
Other than mobile devices, computer screens also emit blue light. And while digital blue light has less radiation compared to UV rays, it can become a top aggressor to our skin because of how close digital devices are to our skin (think about how closely you hold your phone to your face) and the lengthy amount of time we spend in front of these devices.
Quick math: You wake up at 7am and your mobile phone is in front of your face till you get to work, and then you switch to your work computer and spend the next eight hours before it. You commute home and continue using your mobile phone till you get to bed at 11pm. This would have made up 16 hours of continuous blue light exposure.
More bad news: blue light also penetrates deeper into the skin compared to UV rays, so it causes more damage to our collagen and elastin – both responsible for keeping our skin looking firm and bouncy.
It’s time to prevent blue light damage
First of all, spend less time in front of your screens if you could help it – and believe us, you can!
Next, invest in products that shield your skin from the effects of blue light. The good news is that many of our favourite beauty brands are launching products that protect our skin against blue light damage on top of UV damage. Here are some of them:
Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection
You may remember Crystal Tomato as the brand with a supplement that protects skin against UV damage and offers skin brightening benefit. Now the brand is using the same non-genetically modified crystal tomatoes to create Beyond Sun Protection, a sunscreen that offers protection against UV rays, blue light, and pollution.
It claims to offer more than 50% protection against blue light, which is one of the highest you can find in the market. On top of this, it also increases skin moisture, aids in skin lightening, and has a non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly.
Beyond Sun Protection retails at SGD78.80 and is available at Tangs Level 1 (till 31 August), authorised medical aesthetic clinics, and selected premium spas. Some of the authorised medical aesthetic clinics include: A.M Aesthetics, Aesthetics & Medical Clinic, Dermacare Aesthetics & Laser Clinic, Joyce Lim Skin and Laser Clinic, Prive Clinic, and Woffles Wu Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Centre.
Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum
Besides delivering long-lasting hydration to skin, this serum also protects skin from the effects of blue light. Infused with a combination of botanical ingredients, this is a refreshing product that is gentle enough for all skin types.
Other than reducing the effects of blue light pollution on skin, it also helps to revitalise skin so it looks less tired and more radiant. Its intense hydration power also helps skin look firmer, smoother, and fight against wrinkles.
Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum retails at SGD250 and is available at its counter located at Takashimaya S.C.
Soleil Toujours Perpetual Radiance Eye Glow + Illuminator SPF15
This eye serum is made with 100% mineral ingredients to help protect and illuminate the eye area. Like all products by Soleil Toujours, it is formulated with the Environmental Defense Technology that protects skin against free radical-causing pollutants, including blue light.
You’ll also be happy to know that all Soleil Toujours products are 100% coral reef safe – a commitment that means a lot for our environment!
Soleil Toujouirs Perpetual Radiance Eye Glow + Illuminator retails at SGD98 and is available at Sephora.
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF40
Supergoop! is the ultimate expert in sunscreens and we aren’t surprised that they have one that protects our skin from UV rays, blue light, pollution, and dryness – essentially the ultimate skin-protector.
This product has a whipped texture that feels super hydrating and leaves skin feeling naturally dewy and prepped for makeup. Its oil-free formula also promises not to clog pores, while delivering nourishing, clean ingredients to your skin.
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer retails at SGD55 and is available at Sephora.
IDS Skincare DermaShield Mask
This unique mask is made up of three different layers of silk cloth, including a layer that is coated with Plant Stem Cells Essence, fortified with Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, which can protect skin against blue light.
This sheet mask is also infused with the DermaShield Serum, formulated to protect skin from damages caused by blue light exposure. You can look forward to smoother, fresher, and more radiant skin with continued use.
IDS Skincare DermaShield Mask retails at SGD104 and is available at its website and authorised stores.
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