Monthly Archives: April 2025

Whether we’re shielding our skin from the sun or protecting it from the aging effects of gravity, sometimes it feels like our complexion is under attack from all sides. And in today’s world —working from home, scrolling on our phones or binge-watching our favorite shows — there’s another factor to consider: blue light exposure. This high-energy visible (HEV) light doesn’t just come from the sun; it’s also emitted by phones, computers, TVs and even indoor lighting. That means our skin is exposed to potential damage for most of the day, every day.

But how harmful is artificial blue light, and what can you do to protect your skin? Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light is simply light on the blue end of the visible light spectrum, falling within the wavelength of 400 to 450 nanometers. This is a short wavelength which has a higher energy output and unfortunately, can cause greater damage to the skin. As already mentioned, blue light is not only found in sunlight but just as importantly, it also emits from the electronic devices now integrated into most people’s daily lives. According to Eminence Organics International Trainer Brian Goodwin, we are “typically exposed to blue light for over 13 hours a day between your cellphone and computer screen.” With the long, daily duration of exposure and the high potential for skin damage, blue light could be the next top enemy for our skin health.

What Do We Know About The Dangers Of Blue Light?

Blue light first started receiving a bad rap when people noticed its link to poor sleep quality. Late night hours in bed scrolling through your phone resulted in restless nights, and scientists soon discovered why. According to Harvard Health, blue light at night suppresses the secretion of melatonin, the hormone that affects the circadian rhythms that schedule your sleep/wake cycle. With a sleep cycle out of whack, many people don’t get enough sleep, leaving them open to health problems like depression, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

A restful night is not the only thing at risk. Blue light exposure to the eyes was one of the other potential problems that professionals first pinpointed. The cornea and lens don’t filter out blue light, so it goes right to the back of the eye. And a University of Toledo study discovered that blue light “transforms vital molecules in the eye’s retina into cell killers which damage the retina,” resulting in conditions like macular degeneration. Although experiments were only conducted in a lab setting and not on eyes, the potential for harm to the eyes from blue light appears problematic.

Why Is Blue Light Harmful For Your Skin?

With blue light making waves in the area of sleep and eye health, it’s no surprise that potentially harmful effects have been discovered for skin health as well. Unlike other environmental stressors for the skin (like sunlight and UV rays) there’s no heat and no burn.

But, don’t let the lack of immediate effects fool you. Visible light, especially in the blue wavelength, has become a hot topic in skin care, as there is mounting evidence that supports its contribution to photo-aging, including wrinkles, worsening skin laxity and hyperpigmentation.

Visible light, especially in the blue wavelength, has become a hot topic in skin care, as there is mounting evidence that supports its contribution to photo-aging, including wrinkles, worsening skin laxity, and hyperpigmentation.

Inflammation & Free Radicals

Academic studies like the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2010 found that exposing skin to the blue light we receive from the sun caused more pigment, redness and swelling than when the same person’s skin was exposed to similar levels of UVA rays. A 2015 study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity also found that blue light exposure stimulates free radical production in the skin, accelerating visible signs of aging. The free radicals generated create unstable molecules, leading to inflammation which attacks the cells.

So, if we know that blue light is a danger to our skin, how does it actually cause harm and what are the effects? When blue light stresses the skin, it reacts by producing inflammation, leading to swelling and redness.

Also, free radicals are produced which harm the skin by damaging the DNA and resulting in weakened collagen and elastin. With compromised collagen and elastin, the skin becomes uneven and forms lines and wrinkles. Free radical damage also causes hyperpigmentation, leading to more signs of aging like dark spots.

In summary, Brian outlines our body’s alarming reaction to blue light: “The skin responds by immediately protecting itself with inflammation which gives signs of swelling and redness … This sets off a chain of other events that presents symptoms in the skin such as hyperpigmentation and a quicker breakdown of collagen and elastin.”

So, how do we protect our skin if we’re sitting in front of our devices for the majority of the day? 

Cocoa Seed Extract: The Blue Light Skin Protector 

Researchers have discovered that concentrated natural cocoa seed extract shields the skin from blue light damage because it helps block the skin’s blue light receptor cells. A decrease in cellular activity in these blue light receptors lowers free radical damage and boosts collagen and elastin production in the skin. 

This unique extract contains three beneficial, naturally-occurring components. These are peptides, saccharides and antioxidants. Together, they address the negative effects blue light creates, such as collagen breakdown, elastin degradation and hyperpigmentation.

Peptides found in the cocoa seed extract are a chain of amino acids that help protect the skin from blue light stress, as well as boosting collagen and strengthening elastin. Polyphenols are groups of organic compounds that have antioxidant benefits for the skin, protecting the skin from the free radicals created by blue light. Lastly, saccharides are sugars that attract water into the skin, they help prevent as well as treat the potential dehydration caused by blue light exposure.

At Eminence Organic Skin Care, we have formulated a range of all-mineral SPF moisturizers that are silicone free, employ non-nano zinc oxide technology and help with environmental stressors. From our latest range of SPF moisturizers, a few in particular help with the look of skin exposed to blue light.

Our range of Sun Defense Minerals offers protection against blue light exposure. Made to protect your skin from UVA, UVB and blue light with SPF 30, this feather-soft powder sunscreen perfects your complexion with a touch of tint and a matte finish. 

In addition, the Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 is a luxurious daily moisturizer formulated with cocoa seed extract, satsuma mandarin peel and SPF 40 all-mineral protection to help skin exposed to blue light stress and pollution.

What do you find most alarming about blue light? Let us know in the comments below or share with us on social media. If you’d like to learn more about our SPF moisturizers, visit our Spa Locator to find your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner for more information.

As the full moon approaches, Gemini, you may find yourself more contemplative and reflective than usual – but with a flair for channeling your emotions in a rational and balanced manner. A stalemate may have you feeling overwhelmed and perhaps even drained, given that the recent eclipse may have brought to light some really tough and hardy truths and situations. This is your time to give voice to your emotions, to stop pretending like everything is alright and actually do something to make the necessary changes that will steer your life differently.

Cosmic tip: Take your time. There is no rush.

When it comes to skincare, we often focus on our face—but what about the rest of our body?
Your legs deserve just as much attention, especially in the colder months, and this “leg facial” that I gave myself, truly transformed the skin dryness in just 20 minutes.

Here’s my 3-step, 20-minute leg facial that completely improved my skin’s texture and brought it back to life. From bumpy and dry, to silky smooth legs. Voila.

Why My Legs Got Really Dry and Needed a Leg Facial

As an expert esthetician, I’m all about taking good care of my skin, whether on the face or the body.  However…recently I ran out of shaving cream and shaved my legs with water and ended up with a razor burn. Immediately after I got out of the shower, the skin stung on my legs and were red and irritated for hours after. Ouch.

Normally, I would cure it with a good body lotion for dry skin however, I do a workout for my body three times a week with these electrical pads for increased muscle stimulation and you can’t have body lotion the skin as the adhesive pads won’t stick. So ,I wasn’t applying much lotion and my leg showed it.

So what does an expert esthetician do best? Give a facial! I needed some serious help, so here’s what I did to get smooth legs — fast.

The Leg Facial Products

How to Get Smooth Legs with a Leg Facial – Step by Step

Step 1: Loosen up dry skin cells with a chemical exfoliant peeling pad

On dry skin, I used the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Peel Pads and wiped them over my legs. These powerful peel pads are specifically formulated to dissolve the rough, dry bumps and dead cells using a blend of glycolic, lactic, salicylic and lactobionic acids. It’s normal that I felt a tingling sensation. After all, the skin barrier was severely damaged and the pH of the pads range from 1.5-2.5. One pad was enough for both legs, but I worked quickly to avoid the pad from drying out.

Step 2: Buff away dry skin with a “physical” exfoliator

Next, on dry skin, I rubbed the Back & Body Buffing Towel, over my legs. This towel is fairly abrasive (which I love) so it really polishes off all of those dry, damaged skin cells. You can really feel it working. I used this for about four minutes per leg to give them a great polishing.

I didn’t apply a lot of pressure since the towel’s texture is pretty powerful so go easy – especially for your first time giving your legs a facial. I could already see the skin start looking smoother before my very eyes. So transformative!

Step 3: Continue the exfoliation with a chemical exfoliating mask

Okay, so now I used a body lotion, the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Lotion. This is a body lotion, not an actual mask. Since I had already done two steps of exfoliation, I used it as a 10-minute mask.

This lotion is super powerful (pH ranges from 3.5-4.5) and is packed with glycolic acid and lactic acid (AHA’s) along with gluconolactone and lactobionic acids (PHA’s) to really dissolve dry, bumpy skin even deeper. I massaged it into my legs and left it on for 10 minutes. It definitely stung my legs, but I am used to the feeling of using acids and I know this is what I needed to resurface the rough, bumpy texture on my legs.

After 10 minutes, I hopped into the shower and rinsed it off. My legs were definitely feeling sensitized but this is a normal sensation when doing three steps of exfoliation. After the shower, I applied my body balm to condition the skin and my skin texture was truly transformed. The results were absolutely incredible! If you have dry skin on your body, I encourage you to try this. I’m obsessed.

A few final notes about my leg facial…

• The results in the before and after photo were from just one treatment. I repeated this leg facial three days later to further resurface the skin so get even more improved results.
• For maintenance, I recommend a leg facial twice a month but you can maintain with the Back & Body Buffing Towel and the DERMAdoctor KP Lotion (used as a leave-on body lotion) at least once a week.
• Always listen to what your skin is telling you. I am well versed in what exfoliating acids can feel like but if it feels too much for your first time, then discontinue use.
• Exfoliating acids can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so avoid any sun exposure for two days after doing this leg facial.

All in all, exfoliating acids can give you the glow from head-to-toe. As you can clearly see, the results were incredible! You can do this twice a month, especially during winter. Enjoy your dry legs becoming oh-so-touchable and smooth!

Note to self: I will be sure not to skip using shaving cream next time I shave to avoid having the skin on my body get this dry again!

Want to transform the texture on your face? As an expert esthetician, do this once a week to your face. Here’s how to give your skin a facial at-home

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”