Screen light protection

Skin Damage from
Screens: Why Sun
Protection Helps
with More Than
Just UV

Love your phone? If you’re always scrolling or staring at series on your
screen, it’s another (really good) reason to up your SPF game. Sunscreen
isn’t just a habit for the beach or pool; a digital life means daily application.
Time to get more SPF savvy.

You’ll be totally forgiven if you’ve heard of screen light as something else. Blue light? Yes, that’s the one! The professionals refer to it as High-Energy Visible Light (HEV Light). Whether you like to name it screen or blue light, it’s the same thing. And what it’s doing to your skin is maybe more harmful than you know. Research shows blue light from your devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage. Yes, this speeds up the ageing process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger changes. But no woman wants to be parted from Season 10 of Love Island, never mind Instagram. The solution? Sunscreen – and becoming a total devotee, no matter the time of year, the weather or your skin type. Sunscreen really is a non-negotiable.


How Sunscreen Guards Skin From Blue Light

Yes, you can buy a protective blue light screen shield for your laptop to stop HEV light from reaching you in the first place, but what about when you jump on your phone? The fastest and most portable method of skin safety is an SPF. Wearing sunscreen indoors? Well, if you have a WFH vibe or it’s just another day at the office, sunscreen for both is tick, tick. Remember what we said about skin ageing?

The blue light from screens can sink to the deeper layers of our skin (the same as UVA rays from the sun), breaking down collagen and elastin, which accelerates ageing and inflammation in the skin cells. So the trick is always – whether indoors or out – using a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. You want holistic care. And also, if possible, antioxidant protection too.


Choosing Sunscreen: Why Matching to Your Skin Type is So Important

Ingredients really matter, but so does finding a sunscreen that feels great on your skin. Facial sun protection needs to work with what your skin is going through and that means issues like oiliness, ageing, pigmentation, sensitivity and more. If the texture is wrong and clogs your pores for instance, you’re not going to love your SPF application. Same goes if it causes breakouts or shine. That’s why facial sunscreen as per your skin type or condition does have a real impact on staying protected – and also committed to long term blue light care. So, what are you dealing with these days?


Combination/Oily Skin

Reach for an SPF that’s fast absorbing so you’re not left with any residual tacky-skin feeling. Worried about shine and looking oily? A mattifying effect (but also good hydration) means your skin feels balanced and under control. And SPF of 50 keeps you shielded, and those anti-oxidants that further help skin? Naturally-derived, these are also great fighters against the damage of blue light.

TRY: NIVEA Sun UV Face Shine Control Cream SPF 50 


Sensitive Skin

Skin sensitivity needs to be dealt with in a straightforward way, and that means unperfumed formulas, handy sizes (always at the ready) and sustainable approaches. Free of micro-plastics, the actual formula is 67% biodegradable and respects the ocean. It also respects your skin by being dermatologically approved for skin compatibility as well as ophthalmologically approved.

TRY: NIVEA Sun UV Face Sensitive Control SPF50 


Ageing Skin

What’s your biggest pet peeve about your skin as it’s getting older? Fine lines, wrinkles, dark marks or age spots? All these sun-induced issues need an SPF just as much as you need to protect against blue light – and texture-wise your sunscreen needs to be moisturising to properly nourish skin.

TRY: NIVEA Sun UV Face Anti-Age SPF 50