The third MCO has just started, which means you’re spending more time at home than before – for the next two weeks at least. Most of us are going to spend more time before our screens – whether it’s making longer video calls with our loved ones, watching more shows on streaming services, or catching up on the latest updates on social media.
But these new lifestyle habits are not going to bode well for our skin. Reason: your screens – from the mobile phone, laptop, and even TV – emit blue light, which studies have shown is causing oxidative stress in your skin.
Quick math: You wake up at 7am and your mobile phone is in front of your face till you ready to work, and then you switch to your work computer and spend the next eight hours before it.
In between, because your colleagues are no longer with you for lunch, you scroll through your phone while you eat. After work, you spend the rest of your day watching Netflix shows before winding down looking through your social media feed till you fall asleep at 11pm.
This would have made up 16 hours of continuous blue light exposure.
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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.
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.
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.
Blue light defense and protection skincare
First of all, spend less time in front of your screens if you could help it – spend more time cooking up a storm in the kitchen, working out, or meditate.
Next, invest in blue light skincare 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 – and they include everything from blue light protection moisturisers to blue light protection face creams.
Uriage AGE Protect Multi-Action Eye Contour Cream
Everyone needs a great eye cream that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness, and dark eye circles. This one from Uriage does these and more.
It contains an exclusive Blue Light Barrier (a patented technology) to protect our delicate skin from pollution and harmful effects of blue light. The ophthalmologically tested product is also safe for the eye area.
Uriage AGE Protect Multi-Action Eye Contour Cream retails for RM109.65 and is available at Hermo.
BMF Bella Marie France Hydra Defence Gel Cream
This anti-blue light gel cream as a soothing texture that calms any irritation and inflammation – two symptoms that are common to stressed skin.
Protecting your skin against environmental pollutants and UV damage too, this cream helps to improve your skin’s defences, thanks to Yuzu Ceramide in its formula. This ingredient is an antioxidant that’s five times stronger than orange.
BMF Bella Marie France Hydra Defence Gel Cream retails for RM195 and is available at Bella Marie France stores.
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.
Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection retails at RM268 and is available at Crown Clinic.
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 RM792.19 and is available at Cult Beauty.
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 Toujours Perpetual Radiance Eye Glow + Illuminator retails for RM283 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 blue light protection moisturiser 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 RM165 and is available at Sephora.
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA++++
If you prefer mineral sunscreens, then you’ll need to invest in Murad’s City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50. It protects you from five different damaging causes: UVA, UVB, HEV, infrared radiation, and pollution.
It even has a colour-correcting tint for a “no makeup” makeup look, vitamin C, and an advanced polymer matrix to shield your skin against environmental pollutants.
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA++++ retails at RM298 and is available at Murad.com.my.
