Blue Light and Breakouts
These days, it’s almost impossible to escape the constant presence of technology, especially for college students! With social lives to juggle and assignments piling up, putting your phone away is not always an option. But here’s the thing, too much screen time can impact your skin in ways you might not even realize. At The Edge, we’ve got all the information on blue light exposure, phone-induced breakouts, and easy ways to keep your skin looking fresh.
What’s Blue Light?
Blue light is a high-energy light that comes from the sun, but it’s also coming from all of your devices. Your phone, laptop, and tablet are constantly pumping blue light onto your skin. The problem? It sinks deeper into your skin than sunlight, and that long exposure can really take a toll. The biggest issue? Premature aging! Think breakdowns in collagen, fine lines, and even sagging. If you want to make a simple change to your routine to get ahead of this, keep reading!
Phone-Induced Breakouts
Here’s something you might not know, your phone is actually causing breakouts! Phones carry more germs than a toilet seat. Constantly touching your face after touching your phone, or not washing your hands enough, can lead to acne, irritation, and just general skin chaos. Your phone collects all sorts of bacteria, oil, sweat, and even makeup that is never cleaned off.
How to Fix It
Don’t panic, we’ve done all the research for you! Here are some easy, simple changes you can make to protect your skin:
1. Reduce Screen Exposure
We know limiting screen time isn’t exactly realistic, but there are little things you can do to help. Try using phone features like “night shift,” which switches your screen to warmer tones, reducing your blue light exposure. You can also create a screen-time curfew: Try setting a limit for how late you’re on your phone, or aim to avoid it an hour before bed. Your skin and your sleep will thank you!
2. Protect Your Skin
Since blue light is pretty much unavoidable, the next best thing is protecting your skin. Look for skincare products rich in antioxidants, like Vitamin C, green tea, and niacinamide. These are great for keeping your skin strong and preventing damage. And of course, sunscreen is a must; yes, even on cloudy days, and no, it’s not just for the beach!
3. Clean Your Phone
How often do you clean your phone? It’s probably not as often as you should! Try cleaning your phone screen daily with alcohol wipes to get rid of all the germs. And make an attempt to try using earbuds or speaker for phone calls instead of holding your phone up to your face. Don’t forget to wash your hands more often, especially before touching your phone or putting it up to your face!
Small Changes, Big Results
It’s not the first time you’ve heard about cutting back on screen time, but now you know how it affects your skin, too! Small changes like the ones above can make a real difference. Try it for a week and see if your skin starts to thank you!
And if you notice a glowing difference, tag us @TheEdgeMag and let us know!