Are your computer, tablet, and cell phone screens damaging your skin?
It’s a horrible thought, particularly since we use our technological gadgets all the time these days. From dawn to dusk, we’re checking our phones, using our computers at work, and scrolling through our tablets in the evening. Our eyes and skin are exposed to more light than ever before because of this.
We all know about the damage that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can do to our skin. But how often do we think that our phone screens could be doing the same? And yet, research is starting to show that this constant exposure to blue light (also called high-energy visible or HEV light) might be quietly contributing to skin damage.
In one laboratory study, for example, researchers found that exposure to blue light resulted in signs of skin-barrier impairment and cellular stress. The damaging effects included biomarkers of photo-aging, inflammation, and cell loss.
In another recent study, researchers found that “blue light exposure can influence skin barrier function and may have implications for skin health and related conditions.”
So it’s becoming clear that staring at our screens all day isn’t great for our skin. Below, we explain exactly what’s going on here, and then give you practical steps you can take today to protect and repair your skin.
Screens Damaging Your Skin: What’s Happening?
Imagine you’re wearing your skin all day like a jacket. Every time you’re exposed to certain types of light—including sunlight, lights in a room, and light from your screens—your skin has to deal with invisible stress. Overtime, even small stresses can add up.
It Goes Deeper Than You Think
Blue light, which comes from screens and LED lights, has a short wavelength of about 400-500 nanometers. That allows it to travel deeper into your skin, all the way to the layer where collagen and elastin live. These are the proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth.
Once that blue light gets in there, it can trigger unstable molecules called free radicals. These bump around and damage your skin cells. Studies show this process, called “oxidative stress,” can weaken healthy skin over time.
It Can Cause Dark Spots and Uneven Skin Tone
A growing body of research shows that blue light, as well as regular visible light, can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots. One study, for example, found that repetitive blue-light exposure induced visible pigmentation in women.
Exposures in the lab are stronger than what you’d get from a typical smartphone or laptop, but the mechanism is clear and suggests that prolonged screen time may contribute to uneven skin tone, particularly in sensitive skin.
It Speeds Up the Signs of Aging
Because blue light creates free radicals and oxidation, it can break down the proteins that keep your skin youthful. Over time, this can lead to accelerated aging, including the development of fine lines, sagging, or dullness, even if you spend most of your day indoors.
In one review, researchers said there’s growing proof that blue light can trigger inflammation, dark spots, and early aging. “Although blue light has been present in our lives for decades,” the researchers wrote, “this type of visible light has recently become a topic of significant interest as we shift to a greater percentage of our time spent in front of light-emitting devices.”
Another lab study found that blue light activates certain enzymes that actually destroy collagen! Blue light can damage the genetic material (DNA) inside your skin cells too, potentially leading to long-term cellular dysfunction.
It Can Increase Inflammation
Your skin may respond to blue light exposure by becoming inflamed, which can lead to redness and irritation, and may worsen conditions like acne. In a 2023 study, researchers found that when blue light causes oxidation, that causes inflammation, exacerbating the breakdown of skin’s structures.
It Disrupts Your Circadian Rhythm
Exposure to blue light at night messes with your body’s internal clock, which can affect how your skin repairs itself overnight. At night, your skin focuses on fixing the damage that occurred to the skin during the day. Optimal DNA repair, for instance, occurs when you get a good night’s sleep.
One study found that night-shift workers had decreased levels of DNA repair compared to a control group, suggesting that disruption of circadian rhythms affects the body’s ability to perform DNA repair in skin.
It’s Everywhere
Here’s where “blue-light burnout” really kicks in. We’re not exposed only occasionally to this light anymore. Blue light comes from our phones and computers, but also from the overhead lights in our houses, our tablets, and our televisions. Worse, many newer screens often use brighter, bluer light to look clearer and more vivid.
One review pointed out that modern live has completely changed how much blue light we are exposed to each day. In all likelihood, your skin is probably soaking up a lot more blue light than was common even 20 years ago.
Screens Damaging Your Skin: How to Repair and Protect Your Skin
Fortunately, we can do something about this. Below, we have several steps you can take to protect and repair your skin.
A. Adjust Your Lifestyle and Tech Habits
If it’s possible, try to reduce your uninterrupted screen time. Use a printed rather than an ebook, for instance, or print something out if you’re going to spend considerable time reading it.
At the very least, try to stop using your devices at night at least one hour (two is better) before bedtime, so they are less likely to disrupt your circadian rhythm. Giving your skin a day off on the weekend can also help, particularly if it’s showing signs of fatigue.
Next, use screen filters and night mode where possible. You can purchase blue-light screen filters and protectors to put on your devices to help cut down on your exposure. Then check for night mode options on your devices. Many let you shift the screen to warmer tones (less blue) which helps reduce blue light emissions.
Check your ambient lighting in your home and office. If you’re using LED or fluorescent lights, consider bulbs with warmer color temperatures, or position yourself so that the light isn’t spilling directly on your face. Having floor lamps positioned behind you as you work is ideal.
Finally, take regular breaks from your screens. Treat your skin as you would your eyes—get up and walk away every 30-60 minutes. If you can, get outside and breathe some fresh air before you return.
B. Protect and Repair Your Skin
You can adjust your tech habits, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to be away from your devices for long. That means you’ll want to do what you can to assist your skin in its repair activities, as well as to help protect it from the blue light.
Start by using a daily sunscreen that is made up primarily of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral sunscreens seem to help reduce light-induced pigmentation, even from blue light.
Next, use a barrier repairing moisturizer daily. Blue light generates free radicals, so you’ll want a serum and moisturizer that include antioxidants. Look for ingredients like vitamins C and E, niacinamide, ceramides, and peptides.
Our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture is full of antioxidants, ceramides, and skin nourishing, barrier protecting ingredients. It includes our potent Tri-Rescue complex that calms inflammation and restores skin health and radiance. Calming Moisture is specifically built for sensitive skin and can strengthen and support repair of your skin’s barrier. When your barrier is strong, it’s better able to handle blue light exposure.
Here’s an extra tip: Use our Rescue + Relief Spray as a mid-day screen break. It helps calm inflammation while putting moisture back into your skin, and gives you a quick way to add a light barrier between your skin and the blue light coming from your screens.
I always keep a bottle at my desk and spritz all day long. It’s a refreshing pick-me-up too!
Also, consider applying our Restorative Skin Balm to your lips as a natural, repairing lip balm. Your lips are exposed to blue light too!
Treat your skin with extra care at night, for that’s when skin is at its busiest making repairs. Cleanse thoroughly with a gentle cleanser, then apply our Calming Moisture to help calm inflammation and restore the outer barrier.
You might even consider using a physical barrier between your skin and your screens. A clean, soft scarf might work. Or you could reposition your screen further from your face, when possible, to reduce short-distance exposure.
Screens Damaging Your Skin: We’re Still Learning
We’re still learning about the potential damage that may be coming from our screens when it comes to our skin. Blue light isn’t as heavily studied as UV yet, but the evidence is already strong enough to suggest we should take action.
That doesn’t mean you need to panic or toss every device you own. It’s just smart to treat screen time as you would sun time. Small habits, like taking regular screen breaks, using sunscreen, and adding antioxidant-rich products into your routine can help your skin stay strong and balanced even in a digital world.
Are you worried about the effects of screens on your skin?
Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.