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Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

blue light phone computer damage skin

Is Instagram making you age faster? Hands up if you’re always checking your feed to see what your friends are up to. Plus, all the hours you spend working on your PC. Netflix binges on your iPad. That hour of Kindle reading before sleep. Add in Zoom meetings, doomscrolling on Twitter, and the occasional YouTube rabbit hole, it feels like you’re spending half your day in front of a screen. And screens emit light. You know where am I going with this… Is blue light bad for skin? Should you wear sunscreen in front of your computer? Here’s what the science says:

Do Screens Emit UV Light?

Good news: screens don’t emit UV light. Bad news: UV light isn’t the only type of light the sun pumps out. It also emits infrared light and visible light. UV light is by far the most damaging form of light that can hit your skin. So put that sunscreen on every day. But lately, research is showing that visible blue light – the kind screens emit – can be dangerous for some skin types.

And nope, blue light filters on your glasses or screen protectors don’t block all of it. They just tone down the harshness a bit. So while your eyes might feel better, your skin still cops some of it. Fun fact: blue light is also called high energy visible (HEV) light. If you see a skincare product that promises HEV protection (I’ve seen a few in Korea), now you know what they do.

Also fun fact (or mildly terrifying): blue light exposure at night can mess with your melatonin production. Translation? It can wreck your sleep. And poor sleep = dull skin, puffiness, breakouts, the works. So maybe that midnight scroll isn’t doing you any favours.

Related: Is Beauty Sleep A Myth?

How effective is your sunscreen? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Sunscreen Audit” Worksheet and find out if your sunscreen is really up to the job:

What Are The Effects On Blue Light On The Skin?

Research on this is only at the beginning. So far, it’s showing to do 3 bad things to your skin:

  1. Free radicals production: In real humans, blue light generates the production of free radicals, nasty molecules that destroy collagen and cause wrinkles.
  2. Increased pigmentation: In people with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI) blue light increases the amount of melanin skin produces, leading to dark spots.
  3. Slow down healing: In hairless mice, skin hit by blue light takes longer to heal.

If that doesn’t make you stop checking your phone so often, I don’t know what will!

Still not convinced? Another study found that even one hour of blue light exposure can trigger oxidative stress in skin cells. That’s not “Netflix and chill” – that’s “Netflix and slowly break down your collagen.” Who knew?

Related: How To Neutralise Free Radicals Damage

Is Blue Light More Dangerous Than UV Light?

Nope, it’s actually the other way around. UV light causes way more damage than blue light. Here’s how they compare:

Visible light is less damaging because it takes way more of it to generate free radicals and darken skin. Just to put things into perspective, UV rays are “25 times more efficient in inducing pigmentation” than visible light.

Another thing worth knowing: UV light can hit your skin even indoors, especially through windows. Blue light from your screen? Only hits you if you’re actually in front of it. So no, your kitchen lights aren’t ageing you. Chill.

Related: Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: Which Is The Best Alternative To Hydroquinone?

How To Protect Your Skin From Blue Light

Truth bomb: sunscreen doesn’t work against blue light. Shocking, I know! UV filters were created to stop UV rays, not any other type of light. So how do you protect your skin from visible blue light, especially if you have dark skin? Two ways:

  1. Antioxidants: Antioxidants destroy free radicals before they can give you wrinkles and dark spots. One study shows that a bunch of antioxidants halves the amount of free radicals blue light produces.
  2. Iron oxide: The main pigment in foundations, it absorbs blue light and protects skin from hyperpigmentation.

Bonus tip: you don’t need to wear a full face of makeup. These days, it’s more and more common to find tinted sunscreens, mineral powders, or regular old sunscreens with iron oxide and antioxidants that can do the job. Check the ingredient list to make sure your sunscreen is going the extra mile. Pro tip: “iron oxide” usually shows up near the top if it’s actually doing the heavy lifting.

Can Blue Light Affect Skin Barrier Function?

Short answer: maybe. Early research suggests that repeated exposure to high levels of blue light could mess with the lipids in your skin barrier. High levels is the key word here. You’d need to be at your laptop non-stop for this to have an effect on your skin. If you’re experiencing dryness and dehydration, it’s more likely to come from lifestyle factors, like harsh weather or a diet rich in processed foods. But if your skin suddenly feels drier or more sensitive after long days on the laptop, get a break.

Should You Worry About Light From Screens?

It depends. Most people don’t need to worry about the blue light their screens emit. Just use an antioxidant serum to neutralise the few free radicals they produce and you’re good to go.

The only exceptions are:

  • People with darker skin who want to fade away dark spots
  • People who are very sensitive to visible light (usually after undergoing medical treatment)

If that’s you, double down on your antioxidants, wear foundation with iron oxide and – most importantly – turn down the brightness of your computer and phone screens. Also, use night mode or “dark theme” settings if your apps offer them. Less blue = less light stress for your skin. And hey, it’s easier on the eyes too.

Related: What Are The Best Antioxidant Serums?

What Antioxidants Work Best Against It?

Not all antioxidants are created equal. For blue light, look out for these MVPs:

  • Vitamin C (especially L-Ascorbic Acid): brightens, protects, and boosts collagen
  • Niacinamide: evens out skin tone and strengthens the barrier
  • Green tea extract: calms inflammation and fights free radicals
  • Resveratrol: powerhouse polyphenol with major antioxidant power
  • Ferulic acid: boosts the stability of other antioxidants, especially C and E

Pro tip: Layer your antioxidants. A serum with Vitamin C in the morning, followed by a moisturiser with niacinamide? Chef’s kiss.

The Best Sunscreens To Protect You From Blue Light

Want that extra protection from blue light when staying in front of a screen? Here are my fave picks:

  • La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen For Face With SPF: A tinted mineral sunscreen with iron dioxide that protects from both blue light and UV light. Available at: La Roche Posay
  • NIOD Survival 0 Serum (£22.00): Ok, this is NOT a sunscreen. It’s a serum you layer under sunscreen (or use alone in the evening) that gives you protection from blue light, pollutants, and other common skin enemies. Available at Cult Beauty, Niod, and SpaceNK
  • Paula’s Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 ($29.00): Loaded with antioixdants, it’s worth getting because it has a creamy texture that hydrates skin without clogging pores, dries to a dewy finish that brightens your skin, and wears well under makeup. Available at: Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice and SpaceNK

The Bottom Line

Screens emit blue light that’s not that harmful to most people. If you’re using antioxidants in your skincare, you’re already protecting yourself against them. If you have darker skin or are very sensitive to visible light, turn down the brightness of your screens as much as possible and follow a beauty routine full of antioxidants and iron oxide.