Skin

The 7 Best Blue Light-Blocking Sunscreens, According To Derms

Just another reason to wear sunscreen every. single. day.

by Courtney Leiva | COMMENT

PHOTO 0/8

We've heard about the harmful effect blue light has on our eyes, as the American Academy of Ophthalmology has warned about its detrimental effects on ocular health, including cataracts, growths, and even cancer. How about for your skin, though? Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, suggests that blue light is also dangerous for your skin... especially since we're constantly exposed to it through electronic devices such as computer screens, phones, and tablets.

As Zeichner explains, blue light is a form of high-energy visible (HEV) light. And since it sits right next to ultraviolet on the spectrum, he warns that it can penetrate deep into the skin, thus contributing to premature aging and brown spots. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, similarly found that blue light exposure produced dark pigmentation in some study participants, also adding that constant exposure could potentially lead to skin conditions such as melasma.

Luckily, you don't have get rid of screen time entirely — because according to Zeichner, there are lots of ways to keep yourself protected. For starters, he advises purchasing blue light filters for any of the devices you use. He also recommends looking into adding a blue light-blocking sunscreen to your skin care routine. "We prevent damage to the skin using sunscreen fat contain mineral blockers as well as antioxidants," says Zeichner. "Mineral blockers, like zinc oxide, physically reflect light away from the surface of the skin."

We talked more with Zeichner (plus other board-certified derms!) about the best blue-light-blocking sunscreens to add to your regimen, stat. So, from water-resistant products to antioxidant-rich formulations, below are seven derm-approved products to keep in mind the next time you spend hours scrolling through your phone.

Image via Imaxtree

SEE NEXT PAGE: Solara Suncare Clean Freak Nutrient Boosted Daily Sunscreen Unscented, $28

EDITORS' BEST OF