Digital Eyes

Who would’ve thought we would spend over a year in lockdown because of a global pandemic? Or that we could possibly add more screen time to our already digitally infused lives? Well here we are, at the end of an unprecedented global pandemic that has created a digital life beyond which anyone could’ve seen coming. As I sit here in front of my computer with tired eyes, I think about my current eye care routine and realize just how much it has changed in the past year. The good news is no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to give your eyes the love they deserve.

First we need to understand the skin around the eye and how it is different from the rest of your face. Unfortunately, the eyes will show the earliest signs of premature aging, particularly without proper care. The skin is thinner and more delicate requiring different, targeted products. Eye specific products are your best friends and will combat those fine lines, puffy bags, dark circles and more. Remember, your eyes work a lot throughout the day, from blinking to expressing your emotions, all of which can cause premature aging. And let’s not forget genetics, external stressors, lifestyle choices and yes….screen time.

Screen time continues to increase while screens get closer and closer to the eyes. As we work and learn from home, we are spending an increasing amount of time in front of digital displays that emit potentially harmful levels of blue light.

Blue light is a low wavelength, high energy light that has the potential to damage eyes, prematurely age skin and interfere with our circadian rhythms. Blue light is everywhere in our world. At one point the only source of blue light was from the sun but we have brought blue light inside by way of digital screens (TVs, Smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets and gaming systems), electronic devices, LED and fluorescent lighting. However, we find ourselves particularly concerned with digital devices because of our close proximity to them and our prolonged exposure as people now spend an average of 13 hours per day on screens. (bluelightexposed.com)

The next time you snap a selfie, zoom in for a closer look. You might notice how the prolonged exposure has started to change your skin. Are the wrinkles around your eyes starting to deepen? How about puffiness and dark circles, have you noticed them becoming more pronounced? Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and cell death speeding up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes.

So how do we combat this new enemy? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Moisturizing the skin around your eyes and face is one of the best ways to reverse the signs of aging. But if you’re looking for permanent change then targeted eye creams and serums that absorb deeply delivering vitamins, minerals, amino acids and peptides will reverse the sign of aging over time.

For targeted eye care try haia’s amazing 3D Intensive Eye Renewal Serum or the creamy Sacha Inchi Peptide Eye Brightening Cream. Both deliver incredible hydration and help dramatically reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. To take it one step further, haia created an entire skin care line designed to fight blue light technology. If you’re like me and spend hours working in front of a computer, protect your skin with their Environmental Stress & Defense Collection designed to protect your skin from internal and external environments that wreak havoc on normal healthy skin such as pollution & blue light exposure. I’m hooked and you will be too.

In addition, the recently reformulated Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 from Eminence Organic Skin Care is a wonderful multi-functional product to protect both from the damaging effect of UV rays and blue light pollution as well.

And guys, check out Om4men’s Eyebright Age Defying Moisture Complex and Radical Fine Line Eraser. OM4 Organic Male is the first skin type and condition-specific professional men’s line on the leading edge of performance-based, green science organics specifically for men.

The sad truth is screen time isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. In fact, as technology continues to evolve our screen time will most likely only increase. So start today by taking preventative steps to keep your skin healthy and protected. And don’t forget, show some extra love to those baby blues.

Written by Jennifer Sposato