PROVEN Team
PROVEN Team includes Stanford scientists and dermatologists who combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring you the best for your skin.
Blue Light Protection: A Science Backed Approach
Mounting research highlights the importance of blue light protection for not only our eyes but our skin.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Blue Light Protection
Mounting research highlights the importance of blue light protection for not only our eyes but our skin. This high-energy visible (HEV) light can penetrate the skin, causing oxidative stress, collagen loss, and premature aging signs. The sun is the largest blue light source, but it is also emitted by smartphones, computer screens, televisions, tablets, and even LED light fixtures. Considering our vast quantities of daily screen time, blue light skin protection should be on everyone's radar.
Adverse effects of blue light exposure
We spend between 30 and 50 percent of our lives staring at digital devices, and this consistent exposure induces darker pigmentation by acting directly on melanocytes. According to a 2010 study, researchers found that medium and darker skin tones developed hyperpigmentation more readily than fairer skin. And while more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of blue light on skin health and aging, dermatologists say there is anecdotal evidence that this HEV can hasten skin laxity and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as melasma. This is because the waves emitted by blue light tend to penetrate deeper into the skin compared with both UVA and UVB rays.
For example, many patients have developed melasma or dark patches on the sides of the face where their cell phone is held. This odd pattern of hyperpigmentation, which usually presents on the forehead or central face, suggests the adverse effects of blue light exposure.
The adverse effects of blue light exposure extend beyond the skin and can negatively impact the body in other ways.
For example, significant exposure to blue night at night can affect your natural circadian rhythm, which impacts your sleep and wake cycles. This rhythm tells your body that it’s time to go to sleep when it’s dark outside and that it’s time to wake up when it’s light outside.
However, the blue light emitted from electronic devices can essentially trick your body into staying awake, thinking that it’s still daytime, and impacting the production of melatonin, the body’s sleep hormone.
As a result, this lack of sleep, or at the very least this lack of quality sleep, can impact your skin in other ways.
For example, you could end up with more signs of aging as your skin takes action to repair itself while you sleep.
Furthermore, you could end up with dark circles underneath your eyes from a lack of sleep.
You could also end up with an overall dullness in your skin because when your body isn’t energized, your skin won’t be energized either.
Finally, and perhaps most obviously, long-term exposure to high amounts of blue light can damage your eyesight. This is because the structures within your eye aren’t able to block blue light as effectively as they block other types of light, like UV rays. As a result, you are exposing the sensitive retina to more light than it can handle. This type of light exposure can damage the sensitive cells within the retina and increase the risk of macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Blue light also affects your eyes by causing digital eye strain. Digital eye strain occurs as blue light isn’t as easily focused as other types of light, so your eyes may need to strain to view your screens properly.
While this might not seem like something that could affect your skin, it actually can! When you’re constantly making facial expressions such as squinting your eyes, you’re stretching out your skin and contributing to the future appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in these areas.
Based on all of these adverse effects, taking steps to protect your skin -- and eyes -- from blue light should be a top priority.
Best tips for blue light skin protection
Here are some tips to protect your skin against blue light.
Scientists know that blue light penetrates much deeper than UV rays, which is mildly concerning since most of us are tethered to our screens. No one wants to accelerate the aging process, so how do you protect your skin against a light that is so ubiquitous indoors as well as out? One of the easiest interventions is to set your electronic devices to a "night shift “mode. This function gives the screen a more yellow appearance that’s less harmful than the bright, blue light that they normally utilize. There are also blue light screen protectors for computers and smartphones that work nicely at blocking this strong type of light.
Wear a mineral sunscreen that uses titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or iron oxide, which physically blocks it. Chemical sunscreens are only designed to absorb UVA and UVB wavelengths and offer no protection in this capacity. It is also helpful to incorporate antioxidant-packed products into your skincare routine -- such as green tea and Vitamin C which neutralize free radicals to prevent blue light damage while triggering the skin to repair itself.
Experts also recommend giving yourself a break from all blue light-emitting electronic devices before you go to bed to maintain your natural circadian rhythm. By avoiding this type of light for about two to three hours before bedtime, you’re able to better signal to your body that it’s time to go to bed and produce enough melatonin to put you to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Customized skincare for blue light protection
If you want effective blue light protection within your skincare regimen, the PROVEN skin quiz is a great place to start. In just a few minutes, this AI-enabled analysis will suggest three multi- functional formulas that are personalized for your skin genome and made with clinically proven actives. As a part of your PROVEN Skincare routine, you will receive a custom-formulated cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream.
Your PROVEN cleanser does more than simply cleanse your skin of dirt, oil, sweat, and pollution -- it also tones and exfoliates it at the same time with gentle yet effective ingredients.
Your moisturizer also does more than just hydrate and nourish -- it also protects skin from the sun with SPF 40 protection.
Finally, your night cream is jam packed with beneficial ingredients that your skin needs to repair and rejuvenate itself while you sleep.
But don’t just take our word for it! We have thousands of glowing customer reviews and impressive results from third-party clinical tests to prove that these products really work for every skin concern.
84% of product users saw an improvement in signs of aging and hyperpigmentation after 28 days of product use.
90% saw an improvement in signs of acne including blemishes and enlarged pores.
81% saw an improvement in redness and sensitivity for a more soothed and even skin tone.
These results have been PROVEN, and yours can be, too! All it takes is a few minutes to fill out our skin quiz with information about your skin concerns, lifestyle, environment, and heritage. With our help, you’re able to prolong your skin's health and beauty with advanced, research-based ingredients designed for your unique needs.
Here Is Why Personalized Skincare Is Better
Personalized skincare comes with a host of benefits
  |   | |
|---|---|---|
| Formulated and made-to-order for you | No | |
| Targeting your unique Acne needs | No | |
| Optimized for your lifestyle + environment | No | |
| Easy 3-step system for all your skin needs | No | |
| Made by Stanford scientists and AI tech | No |
Our Team
We're industry leaders in skincare
Dr. Yuan is a Computational Physicist from Stanford University
Proven co-founder, Dr. Amy Yuan, fixed her skincare woes by using her computer science background to analyze the effectiveness of more than 20,238 skincare ingredients, 100,000 products, 20 million testimonials, and more than 4,000 scientific journal articles. Now she is applying that to create the perfect skincare for you.
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Restores elasticity and delivers intensive nourishment to repair, plump and firm skin while you get your beauty sleep.
