Different types of light can significantly impact our skin health and appearance. While natural sunlight is essential for vitamin D production, excessive exposure can lead to skin damage and premature ageing. Exposure to artificial light sources can also have a negative impact on our skin health too.
Understanding the different types of light and how they affect the skin is crucial if you want to maintain a healthy and youthful-looking complexion. In this blog post, we explain the two types of light that you need to be aware of and the best way to protect your skin.
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT (UV)
The first type of light you need to know about is ultraviolet light. This invisible light is emitted from the sun and is broken down into three categories - UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC light hasn’t been found to have much of an impact on the skin so when it comes to skincare, the focus is always on UVA and UVB light protection.
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UVA LIGHT
UVA light can cause significant damage to the skin because 95% of it reaches the earth. UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and cause a production of melanin which is what makes the skin look tanned. This type of light contributes to the development of fine lines and wrinkles and also makes the skin lose its firmness. UVA rays are so strong that they even penetrate through glass, so it is important to always wear SPF to protect your skin from UVA damage even if you are indoors.
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UVB LIGHT
UVB light has a shorter wavelength than UVA which means that it affects the surface layer of the skin and this type of light is what causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. UVB rays aren’t strong enough to reach the skin when you’re inside, but they can reflect off surfaces like water, sand and snow and they even penetrate through clouds, so it is important to wear SPF every day, even when it is a cloudy day.
HIGH ENERGY VISIBLE LIGHT (HEV)
Most commonly known as blue light, HEV light also comes from the sun but unlike UV light, it is visible to the human eye. Blue light is also emitted from electronic devices such as phones, laptops and TVs and although research around this light is fairly limited, it has been proven to affect the deeper layers of the skin. Blue light can cause skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation and premature ageing because it causes the breakdown of the skin’s collagen levels. If you spend the majority of your day in front of a screen it is really important to protect your skin by wearing a high-quality SPF.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUNSCREEN
It is impossible to keep your skin out of direct contact with light sources, but wearing SPF daily is the best way to protect it. A high-quality SPF is the most important step in any skincare routine as it protects the skin from all types of radiation. However, not all sunscreen is created equal so always look for a broad spectrum which protects against UVA and UVB rays.
PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH GLIST
Although SPF is classed as the holy grail when it comes to skincare, how you treat your skin after sun exposure is just as important if you want to achieve a healthy complexion. This is why we created our Instant Rescue Purifying Mask. This rescue mask features a rich source of natural bioactive and antioxidant ingredients such as centella asiatica extract and allantoin to restore the essential nutrients and hydration your skin needs after it has been exposed to the sun and pollution. This cleansing purifying mask is the perfect balance of hydration and moisturisation and it also encourages cell regeneration and gently calms and soothes irritated skin, making it ideal to use after you’ve spent the day in the sun.