Blue light blocking is not a new term.

For the past two years, blue light blocking trend has spread from the eye glass sectorto the skincare field.  On Taobao.com, blue light blocking cream takes center stage if one were to search for “bluelight blocking or protection.”  Numerousbrands in the market, ranging from top international giants to little-knownskincare brands, have launched skincare products featuring blue light protection.However, many people are still not buying the concept and effect of blue light blocking. For them, anti-blue light skincare may be just a marketing gimmick.Then, what is the truth?

First of all, we need to figure out what blue light is.

Blue light is also known as high-energy short-wave blue light. With its wavelength between 400-500nm, it is a light of relatively high energy.  In terms of wavelength, its visible light (400-780nm) is the closest to ultraviolet rays (280-400nm). In addition to being in sunlight (90%), blue light is also widely present in electronic products, such as computer monitors, fluorescent lights, mobile phones, digital products, display screens, LEDs, etc.  In this day and age, blue light said to be everywhere, people are always surrounded by it.

What harm can blue light cause to the skin?

Blue light is a visible light with a longer wavelength than ultraviolet light. When comparing radiation with ultraviolet, blue light has a stronger penetrating power as it can penetrate the epidermal layer to reach the dermis layer of the human skin. Due to the fact there are fewer neurons in the dermis layer than in the epidermal layer, people can’t feel it when blue light reaches the dermis layer of the skin to damage the cells of the dermis.  As a result, the blue visible light can cause deeper damage to the skin, even to the extent of the genes.

Studies have found that blue light that penetrates the epidermis and reaches the dermis layer can induce free radicals in the cells, thus damaging dermal fibroblasts, reducing extracellular matrix and leading to premature skin aging.
However, further scientific studies are still needed to substantiate the damage that blue light does to the skin.  For the scientific world, there’s still a long way to go.

It is also important to point out that not all blue light are harmful to the human body. Harmful blue light are within 400 nm to 440 nm, while those between 480 and 500 nm can deliver the effect of regulating the biological patterns of the human body.

Finally, how does the blue light blocking technology applies to cosmetics?

For the past few years, there have been many related research reports and literature on blue light hazards and the application of blue light technology in skincare products. Sadly, scientists are still in the early phase of exploring and studying the damage that can be caused by blue light, and consumers’ understanding of blue light hazards is far from enough.

There are not many cosmetic and functional raw materials available in the market that can contribute to the protection against blue light and there’s only little attention drawn to the concept. The existing anti-blue light technologies mainly focuses on “anti-oxidation + repair”.

In the future, will the government issue blue light testing standards? Will more blue light blocking technologies be developed? Will the application of blue light blocking technologies be as mature as UV protection? Will blue light blocking help to further awaken the anti-aging market in China and encourage explorations of new anti-aging skincare trends?

China Beauty Expo (CBE), as the weathervane and leader of China’s beauty industry, has always focused on “skin science” as well as related new anti-aging concepts and technologies, such as stem cells, genetic technology, skin barrier, oxidative stress and sensitive skin etc.

And the anti-blue light skincare concept and technology will undoubtedly be the next center of focus for CBE!

From the Medical Beauty Anti-Aging Conference of 2016 and 2017 to the International Cosmetic Aesthetic & Dermatology Forum of 2018 and 2019, is a testimony ofleading efforts and achievements by CBE in the field of anti-aging skincare.

Over the years, CBE has been committed to developing a dream team of doctors dedicated to dermatological research in China, bringing together developers of game-changing technologies, and guiding trailblazers in the field of medical cosmetics. It focuses on the latest hotspots in the field of dermatology, and build a stronger connection between skincare and dermatology and usher in new anti-aging trends.

Beauty Sector Needs Must Be Satisfied

In2020, CBE will continue to concentrate on dermatology, and stay focused on the effect of light protection on the skin as well as new trends sparked by the application of phototherapy equipment and blue light blocking technology in the skincare field.