What is blue light, how is it affecting our skin and is there something I can do about it?
If you have been following me on Instagram, you know how much I love anti-ageing skincare. Otherwise, how else can I explain to people why do I look thirty when I am actually turning forty this year. Yes, it is true... I'm reaching my middle age (yikes!).
Anyway, recently I was reading Harper's Bazaar #SkinSchool on the effect of blue light on skin and how the exposure from our digital screens can contribute to skin ageing just like UVA (ultraviolet A) rays from the sun.
The millennials are checking their phones 150 times per day, making them exposed to blue light with an average of 3 hours 15 mins per day.
Curious me, I went on and checked my Screen Time statistic on my phone and what I found was shocking! On my mobile phone alone, I spent close to 78 hours just last week. And that is an average of 11 hours per day.
More than half of that time I spent playing Mobile Legends (a habit I picked up since the MCO began in April), and the rest was on my social media. This does not include my other digital screen time I spent staring at my computer screens like I'm doing right now. Or the time I'm bingeing Netflix on TV at night watching anime and movies.
This means I spent all my waking hours with my skin being exposed to blue light! What does this mean? But first...
What Is Blue Light?
High-energy visible light (HEV) or Blue Light comes from the sun and screens of our digital devices. It is part of the visible light spectrum (ranging from 380 nm to 500 nm wavelength) known to produce some of the highest levels of energy, making them capable of penetrating our eyes and skin when we least expect it.
How Does Blue Light Affects Me?
Blue light has been shown in studies to induce oxidative stress in live skin. It has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin compared with both UVA and UVB light. In fact, blue light can penetrate all the way to our dermis, where our collagen and elastin live.
Read: Blue light can cause loss of firmness (means sagging) and an increase in visible lines (means wrinkles) as a result.
Spending four eight-hour workdays in front of a computer exposes you to the same amount of energy as 20 minutes in the mid-day sun. To put this in perspective, seven minutes of sun exposure at 1pm is powerful enough to induce immediate tanning.
Another way blue light might be ageing our skin is by causing pigmentation. Studies indicate that visible light may also be more active in inducing pigmentation compared to UV light. This means dark spots! We don't want that now do we?
So, after reading all that, I know I needed to find some products to add on into my skincare routine - pronto. As a result here's one I found very interesting:
The ArctaPHOS Anti-Blue Light Series
I couldn't find that many products available that tackles on blue light (or at least the ones that I can get online whilst staying at home). But since this product clearly says Anti-blue light, I went and tried out the full set.
Cleanser 3-in-1
This is a universal cleanser that acts as a foaming cleanser, makeup remover and deep cleansing mask. It removes all traces of dirt, makeup, pollution, grime and any other impurities from your skin. This product is free of soap, sulfates (SLS/SLES/ALS) and ethanolamine (MEA/DEA/TEA), and leaves your skin perfectly hydrated and soft after every wash. Suitable for all skin types.
What I Like: The cleanser is a gel type (almost like jelly) which means it is light and won't dry up my skin (since it is soap-free). I can also use it as a 5-minute mask for a deeper cleansing at night.
Tonic Lotion
This product acts as a combination of a toner and serum. It's oil-free, lightweight and refreshing formula is specially designed for Malaysians and individuals living in tropical countries. Packed with over 13 different types of natural hydrating factors, you’ll feel its long lasting hydration benefits.
What I Like: Another lightweight product that has 4 types of hyaluronic acid, which means long lasting hydration. Also vitamin B3 to keep my complexion fairer!
Multi-Protect Day Moisturiser
This is a skincare essential in our technological era. This moisturiser has added features, and shields your skin from UV rays, infrared, HEV (Blue Light), electromagnetic waves and environmental pollutants. It is slightly water-resistant, and lasts all day long.
What I Like: My first impression, it does feel a little thick (since it is water-resistance, almost feel like a sunscreen), but a small amount is all you need to give me the protection against both the UV and blue light.
Night Repair
Night Repair is a treat for your skin after a busy day! This moisturiser repairs tired skin, resetting its tonicity at night. It’s weightless and non-sticky formula ensures that you enjoy a sound sleep without transferring any product on your pillow.
What I Like: In order reduce wrinkles and sagging, you need a night cream. In this case, the ArctaPHOS Night Repair does A LOT for me. With superfood like Chia Seed, Argan Oil and Ceramide, it helps to repair my skin whilst I sleep. It is also relaxing, can lighten up my skin and most importantly, it can minimise deep wrinkles!
What else do I like about ArctaPHOS Anti-Blue Light Series?
Soap-free: Also, no alcohol, sulfates and ethanolamine which means that it is gentle on any type of skin.
Hygienic: All of the products are using pump cap (even the night repair cream)
Premium: But affordable basic essentials
Special Ingredient: Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract - a bacterial strain primed for its ability to hydrate and diminish wrinkle!
In conjunction with ArctaPHOS first anniversary, the simple & high-performance anti-blue light skincare solutions has a special promotion BUY 1 GET 2nd 40% OFF only on ArctaPHOS!