Blue Light Blocking Skincare, Glasses, And Accessories That Will Help Prevent Overexposure
It probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that we spend more time staring at our screens than we do sleeping. And with much of the world’s population under some form of lockdown at present, and everything from work meetings to dinner parties to exercise classes taking place online, screen time has surged to an all-time high. As such, now you have to be extra careful about protecting yourself from overexposure to artificial blue light, which is emitted by electronic devices and can lead to interrupted sleep patterns, macular degeneration, and premature skin ageing.
If you’re wondering what all the fuss about blue light is, here’s what you need to know. Visible light (the radiant energy that can be perceived with our eyes) consists of a range of light rays with different colours (think ROYGBIV), wavelengths, and energies. Blue light has the shortest wavelength yet highest energy of that spectrum, nearly as much as some ultraviolet rays, and therefore it can penetrate more deeply into our eyes and our skin. Not all blue light is harmful – natural blue light from the sun helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles, boost cognitive function, and elevate moods. In contrast, artificial blue light from smartphones, laptops, televisions and the like can mess with circadian rhythms, inhibit melatonin production, damage vision, and induce oxidative stress in the skin, alongside a host of other physical, mental, and emotional effects.
The obvious solution would be to slash the amount of time you spend on digital devices, but in an internet age like ours, that isn’t always possible. Fortunately, there does exist a variety of products that can reduce your exposure to blue light, from serums to screen protectors. Take a look at a few of our favourites below.
DEFENSE ESSENTIAL GLOW MOISTURIZER
Enriched with a solid SPF 30 as well as 12 vitamin- and plant-based antioxidants, the illuminating moisturiser protects skin from blue light and UV rays, and helps reverse the visible aftermath of free radical damage.
ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE SUPERCHARGED COMPLEX
The star of Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair family, this treatment uses a 10 times more concentrated formula to combat damage caused by environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and of course, blue light.
ANTI-AGING BB CREAM
Homegrown beauty brand Liht Organics specialises in all natural and vegan products that are free from nanoparticles, parabens, and all synthetic chemicals. The BB Cream not only blends to a sheer and dewy finish, it also contains the silicate mineral mica, which helps to shield skin from blue light.
DIGITAL DETOX FACE MIST
As its name suggests, this unisex detoxifying face mist protects against the effects of environmental pollution and artificial blue light. Frankincense, magnesium salts, marine actives, ginseng, and ylang-ylang, meanwhile, work together to de-stress and boost energy levels.
MOSCOT DR MILTZEN-T
Scroll to your heart’s content with these uber-chic glasses from cult favourite brand Moscot. The DR stands for “Digital Relief”, thanks to a special coating that helps eliminate glare and blue light.
MORGENTHAL FREDERICS CHROMOCLEAR RELAX OBERLIN
You’d be hard-pressed to find fault with these glasses. The vintage-inspired frame is made from sustainable and biodegradable acetate, and the subtly-tinted lenses helps filter out blue light and prevent migraines.
QUAY AUSTRALIA HIGH KEY MINI
Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy Teigen are just some famous faces that have collaborated with Quay Australia, so you can be sure that its glasses are both fashionable and functional. Perfect for your next Zoom meeting or Skype date, the lenses featured filter out 40% of blue light.
CYXUS BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING
Cyxus has a whole range of chic frames dedicated to blue light protection. All styles incorporate HEV-Absorb Lenses, which are made with a blue light blocking polymer that prevents rays from passing through the lens to your eyes.
RETINAGUARD SCREEN PROTECTOR
If you don’t normally wear glasses and don’t wish to wear glasses, you can fit a protective screen onto your mobile phone and computer to prevent overexposure to blue light. RetinaGuard’s products block up to 90% of blue light, and offer many different dimensions to best suit your needs.
F.LUX
One of the most popular apps for reducing blue light exposure, f.lux takes the time, day, and your geographical location into consideration, then adjusts your screen colour accordingly to minimise the amount of blue light emitted. Best of all, it’s free to download.
IRIS
Available for most major mobile and desktop platforms, Iris uses your clock and location to adjust the colour of your screen, protecting your eyes from harmful blue light and glare.
