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The hyper-connectivity we are all subjected to means spending many hours in front of screens and digital lights. This has led to a question the cosmetics industry has been asking itself for several years: does the blue light emitted by devices harm the skin?
It is worth answering precisely, because in this area marketing has moved faster than research.
What blue light is
The acronym is HEVL, High Energy Visible Light: high-energy visible light, the portion of the visible spectrum ranging from approximately 400 to 500 nanometres. It is emitted by the sun—which remains by far its main source—and, in much smaller amounts, by computer, smartphone, and tablet screens.
One point rarely mentioned in beauty communications: the amount of blue light we receive during a day outdoors is orders of magnitude greater than that received during a day in front of a screen. If blue light is a concern, the main source remains the sun. This is why sun protection comes before any “anti-blue-light” product.
What the research says
Research on high-energy visible light is evolving, and the current picture is more nuanced than it is often presented.
The best-documented effect concerns pigmentation: exposure to visible light can induce or intensify hyperpigmentation, more markedly in darker phototypes. This is one of the reasons why, when treating melasma and hyperpigmentation, dermatologists recommend sunscreens that also protect against visible light, generally using tinted mineral pigments.
The ability of visible light to generate oxidative stress in skin-cell structures, leading to the formation of free radicals, has also been documented. This places it among the factors that contribute to extrinsic ageing, along with pollution, smoking, and stress.
However, the evidence is still limited regarding its actual weight compared with other factors. In particular, there are no robust data that allow us to quantify the contribution of screen light to skin ageing, and no evidence suggests that it exceeds that of UV rays: ultraviolet radiation remains the main cause of extrinsic skin ageing, with estimates attributing the vast majority of visible facial signs to it.
If you read that “60% of ageing is caused by blue light from screens” or that its damage “exceeds that of the sun”, you are reading a marketing claim. These figures circulate widely but are not supported by the scientific literature. Blue light is a real but secondary factor—and treating it as an emergency distracts from the measure that actually works: daily photoprotection.
The role of antioxidants
If the main mechanism through which visible light affects the skin is oxidative stress, the intervention strategy is the same as for pollution: strengthening the skin’s antioxidant defences.
You do not need a product dedicated exclusively to blue light. You need a routine that combines sun protection, antioxidants, and an intact skin barrier—the approach described in the articles on free radicals and antioxidants and anti-pollution skincare.
Microalgae extracts
Among the active ingredients LeLang has selected for this purpose is a complex of microalgae from the genus Scenedesmus rubescens. These organisms live exposed to intense radiation and have developed efficient antioxidant defence systems: the reasoning is the same that guides the selection of adaptogenic actives, namely drawing on plants and microorganisms that cope with extreme conditions.
The extract is the basis of Blue Defence Lift Serum, formulated to counteract environmentally induced oxidative stress. The formula combines the microalgae extract with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, echinacea extract, and active rosebud water, with a moisturising and plumping effect suitable for all skin types.
BLUE DEFENCE LIFT SERUM Lifting serum for face and anti-pollution Protects from pollution, UV radiation* and blue light Hydrates effectively... Discover BLUE DEFENCE LIFT SERUM
As we say honestly about other actives, it should be noted that the available efficacy data on this complex come from tests conducted by the raw-material manufacturer, not from independent studies. It is an active ingredient with a solid rationale, not a molecule supported by an extensive body of clinical literature.
What to do in practice
- Use sun protection every day, all year round. It is the measure with the strongest preventive effect, and it also covers the main source of blue light.
- If you have dark spots or melasma, consider a sunscreen with tinted mineral pigments, which also shield the skin from visible light.
- Add antioxidants in the morning to reduce the overall oxidative burden.
- Take care of your skin barrier: an intact skin barrier is more resistant to any environmental stress.
- Do not neglect sleep. The best-documented effect of evening blue light concerns not the skin but the circadian rhythm, and poor sleep has real effects on the skin.
This last point is worth emphasising: the strongest evidence on the effects of light from screens concerns melatonin suppression and sleep disruption. If you are worried about blue light, reducing device use in the evening will probably have a greater impact on your skin than any serum.
