We are living in the digital age. Many of us work on a computer for large portions of the day, and even more of us spend time scrolling on our phones. There’s a high chance you cringe at your screen time stats on a monthly basis and are likely reading this from a smartphone or some kind of digital device, right? But is it time to face up to the impact all of this screen time is having on our skin or is it an unnecessary concern?
Our frequent use of these devices is regularly discussed in the context of all sorts of things, from sleep quality to long-term eye health. Links have even been made between the damaging effects of high energy visible light (HEVL), also known as blue light, and our screens, which emit this light. And this link soon filtered into beauty marketing; a quick Google search yields various products designed to shield the skin from said blue light, ranging from broad spectrum sunscreens to dedicated blue light protective face mists and serums.
But here’s the thing: context is key to understanding the real life impact and the best way to protect our skin from blue light. Many qualified experts agree that a digital blue light protective serum isn’t necessarily the best or most cost effective way to do so – in fact, you are potentially wasting money by adding one to your routine.
Here’s what you need to know before you panic buy, according to consultant dermatologists, scientists and brand insiders.
Experts Featured in This Article
Dr Mary Sommerlad is a consultant dermatologist, based at 108 Harley Street and The Portland Hospital for Women and Children.
Dr Anjali Mahto is a consultant dermatologist and the founder of the Self London Clinic.
Sam Farmer is a cosmetic scientist and the founder of SAMFARMER, a skincare and personal care brand for teenagers.
Melanie Black is head of training and scientific communication at skincare brand Avène.
How Does Blue Light Affect Our Skin?
HEVL, as an entity, is capable of damaging our skin. The biggest source we encounter in day-to-day life is the sun, which you likely know emits both UVA and UVB, too. (This is why wearing one of the best face sunscreens daily is so important.) And research does indicate that exposure to blue light is cumulative and can contribute to oxidative stress and premature ageing of the skin.
Blue light can also trigger pigmentation, which can affect any skin tone but is particularly common in brown and Black skin. “HEVL triggers the formation of melanin by activating a photoreceptor known as Opsin3,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Mary Sommerlad. “In people with skin of colour (Fitzpatrick types IV, V and VI), once Opsin3 is activated by HEVL it can continue to drive over-production of melanin for days after the exposure.”
“Natural sunlight delivers vastly greater amounts of HEVL in a short time than devices like phones or laptops ever could.”
It’s understandable, then, that learning that screens also emit blue light sounds like cause for concern, especially for those of us who spend hours in front of one. However, there is an important distinction. The sun and digital devices aren’t emitting anywhere near the same amounts of HEVL. Every expert I contacted during my research agreed that context is crucial to understanding the effects of blue light on the skin – that context being that screens don’t pose anywhere near the same level of risk as the sun.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, founder of the Self London clinic, tells PS that, though there’s good evidence that blue light from the sun can contribute to the aforementioned skin concerns, “the amount emitted from screens is tiny by comparison. The intensity, duration and proximity of exposure are all crucial factors. Natural sunlight delivers vastly greater amounts of HEVL in a short time than devices like phones or laptops ever could. So while blue light has been shown to affect skin biology in laboratory settings, it’s important not to equate brief, low-level screen exposure with the effects of long-term sun exposure.”
“It’s the classic mistake when reading about safety, risk and hazard,” cosmetic scientist Sam Farmer, who owns an eponymous teen skin and personal care line, stresses. “The intensity [of HEVL] from sunlight is thousands of times greater than the intensity from a computer or phone screen. It’s just not comparable. Comparing HEVL from the sun with your phone or monitor is like comparing the heat from a birthday candle to the heat from a volcano.”
On the risk of pigmentation specifically, Dr Sommerlad adds: “Over 99% of HEVL exposure comes from sunlight; the amount emitted from screens is not considered to have any effect on driving hyperpigmentation in the same way as sun exposure. To date, there is no evidence that shows that blue light from screens causes the same effect as HEVL from sun exposure.”
In theory, if you sat for long enough in front of a laptop screen, completely uninterrupted, then the blue light would eventually have some effect on your skin. But we would be talking solid weeks here. Melanie Black, head of training and scientific communication at Avène, breaks this down: “To put it into context for you, [one study found] that one hour of sun exposure in the summer equated to two weeks solid of constant exposure, 24 hours a day, to your electronic device, hence why the majority of the studies are on the effects of blue light from the sun.” (Not to mention, who would do this in real life? You’d need to go to bed, use the loo etc.)
Farmer echoes this, telling me that he has seen “very little peer-reviewed evidence that blue light from screens causes meaningful skin damage. The levels are incredibly low compared to our environmental exposure levels and even though there are some in-vitro studies purporting a possible link to possible effects on cells, these are mainly at unrealistic exposure levels.”
And let’s think about this practically: “If digital screens were genuinely ageing our skin, we’d be seeing very different patterns of pigmentation and ageing in the population. We’re not. The real concern and cause of skin damage is still UV radiation from the sun,” Farmer adds. In conclusion, currently, we can’t conclusively say that digital devices are damaging our skin.
Are Blue Light Skincare Products Beneficial at All?
I’m not saying you have to throw out your digital blue light serum immediately, if you own one. But if you are spending considerable money on an extra skincare step, it’s worth reassessing it. Those with an established skincare routine in place are likely getting some blue light protection from other products.
“Prioritising daily sunscreen, antioxidants and good sun avoidance habits will always have the biggest impact on long-term skin health.”
The ingredients offering blue light protection are commonly antioxidants and/or specific filters, which, as Farmer notes, “are prevalent in many existing products. Marketing them as blue light protective skincare is a fear-based marketing tactic.” As several sunscreens on the market protect your skin from both UV and HEVL, nailing daily sun protection application is one of the best courses of action. Both Dr Mahto and Dr Sommerlad recommend iron oxides as protection against HEVL, particularly for those prone to pigmentation. Meanwhile Avène uses a patented filter, TriasorB™, that protects against UVA, UVB and HEVL in products like its Avène Very High Protection Cream SPF50+ Face Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin (£21); other sunscreens with similar protection include Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+ (£59) and Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ (£34).
For those concerned about HEVL’s impact on skin, the best answer is not a digital blue light protective serum – certainly not one with a three-figure price tag. “The narrative around screen-based blue light sometimes induces unnecessary worry,” agrees Dr Mahto. “The real focus for skin protection should remain on UV and HEVL from the sun, not our devices. Prioritising daily sunscreen, antioxidants and good sun avoidance habits will always have the biggest impact on long-term skin health.”
Lucy Abbersteen is a London-based freelance beauty editor with eight years of experience in the industry. She started her career at Marie Claire UK and has since written for several outlets, including Refinery29 UK, Woman & Home, and PS.
