Over the last three decades, technology has become increasingly integrated into consumers’ lives. Our relationship with technology has evolved significantly and the use of digital devices is constantly expanding, transforming the way we communicate.

According to recent studies, at least 5 billion people around the world own a cellphone, which corresponds to nearly 71% of the total world population. And when we look at the US, at least 89% of the population are connected. Among the challenges faced by digital consumers is blue light, a visible light which the human eyes – and also the skin – are sensitive to. As the majority of the tech gadgets emit blue light, the effects of chronic exposure can compound over time to impact the skin.

We are all aware of how important it is to protect our skin against UV sun rays, but what about the harmful effects of blue light?

Light is made up of electromagnetic particles that travel in waves, and these waves emit energy and vary in length and strength. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Each wavelength is represented by a different color and is grouped into the following categories: gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet (UV) rays, visible light, infrared light, and radio waves. Together, these wavelengths make up the electromagnetic spectrum.

The human eye is sensitive to only one part of this spectrum, visible light, which is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is seen as colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Blue light (HEV = high energy visible) has a relatively short wavelength, and so produces a higher amount of energy.

Sources of blue light include the sun, digital screens (TVs, computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets), electronic devices, and fluorescent and LED lighting. Blue light has its benefits – in its natural form, our body uses blue light from the sun to regulate our natural sleep and wake cycles, known as the circadian rhythm. However, as some studies suggest, blue light can age skin prematurely and can even alter pigmentation, since it penetrates all skin layers. Moreover, blue light wavelengths flicker more frequently than HEV having longer wavelengths, and this flickering creates glare that can reduce visual contrast and affect sharpness and clarity. This can also be one of the reasons for headaches, eyestrain and physical and mental fatigue after long periods in front of a computer screen.

Evonik Personal Care has developed TEGO® Pep UP - a biomimetic tetrapeptide that triggers the skin’s own production of connective tissue components. Using GlaSBox®, a device that quantifies the contractile activity of fibroblasts, it was possible to confirm the anti-aging effect on wrinkles near the eyes. The results show that TEGO® Pep UP significantly increases the contractile forces of wrinkled fibroblasts. In addition, the results also confirm that the product is able to protect the skin against damage caused by blue light and to support regeneration after blue light irradiation.

According to Mintel, US millennials check their phones 157 times a day, contributing to longer exposure to screens emitting blue light, which can cause skin problems, including photo-aging and weakening of the skin’s surface. With this in mind, Evonik Personal Care developed an eye cream gel which includes TEGO® Pep UP. It contributes to prevention and reduction in the appearance of wrinkles that are caused by HEV/blue light.