One question that’s been popping up more and more lately is whether the blue light from your phones and laptops can actually age your skin.
And it’s such a fair one, because we spend so much of our day in front of screens. Whether it’s for work, a lunchtime scroll or a Netflix binge at night, blue light has become part of daily life, so it’s easy to assume it must be doing something bad...
But before we all add ‘phone exposure’ to our list of skincare worries, let’s take a closer look at what blue light actually is, how it works and whether it’s really worth stressing about.
What Actually Is Blue Light?
Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and don’t worry, I’m not about to turn this into a physics lesson 🙌🏼😂 All you really need to know is it’s the same type of light that gives daylight its bright, cool tone and helps regulate your body clock.
In very high doses though, blue light can trigger something called oxidative stress, which in theory, can impact your collagen and make your skin look older than it is.
Is Blue Light Strong Enough To Harm Your Collagen?
The good news is, studies show that the blue light from your phone or laptop is up to 1,000 times weaker than the damaging UV rays from the sun. So unless you’re planning to live until you’re 1,000, it’s really not something to lose sleep over.
The Real Issue With Blue Light
Which brings me to the real reason I think about blue light at all. I don’t necessarily worry about what it does to my skin directly, but I do think about what it does to my hormones.
Blue light can throw off your natural circadian rhythm by making your body believe it’s daytime, all the time. This raises cortisol (your stress hormone) and lowers melatonin (your sleep hormone) and poor sleep damages your collagen far more than the light itself ever could.
My ‘After Eight’ Rule & How To Always Glow
So, I’ve created what I like to call the ‘After Eight Rule’. It’s not quite as indulgent as the chocolates, but it helps me stay balanced. I simply try to avoid my phone before 8am and after 8pm, to give my mind and skin a little breathing space.
Of course, I slip up all the time and I’m definitely a work in progress! But for me it’s about creating mindful boundaries, not perfection. The other thing that makes a huge difference is my skincare. I don’t use any specific blue light products as they’re usually a marketing ploy 🙈
But I do stick to my 5 Minute Kit religiously because it’s filled with antioxidants. Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide naturally help neutralise the stress your skin faces day to day, keeping it strong, calm and youthful without having to overthink it
Final Thoughts
So while blue light isn’t exactly a friend to your skin, it’s definitely not the villain it’s sometimes made out to be either. Just give yourself space away from screens when you can, stick to your skincare routine, and it’ll be one less thing to worry about 🥰
