2020-04-01 Good Housekeeping

Can the light from my

computer screen and phone

damage my skin?—ELIZABETH C.

Q

april says: It’s possible. Initial research indicates that blue light (a.k.a. high-energy visible, or HEV,

light) emitted by electronic screens, implicated in sleep disruption and vision issues, may also be

detrimental to skin. One study showed that, as UV light does, it could cause formation of free radicals;

these can break down collagen and bring on inflammation, leading to signs of skin aging like wrinkles

and hyperpigmentation. “The majority of blue light actually comes from the sun,” says Deanne Mraz

Robinson, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital. “Screens aren’t

a huge problem on their own, but the combination of getting sun exposure and spending a lot of time in

front of a computer can be concerning.” Your best defense: applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with

SPF 30 or higher plus antioxidants like vitamins C and E daily, she says. (A study found that SPF alone didn’t

sufficiently protect skin against free radicals from visible light, but did prevent damage when combined

with antioxidants.) Try La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 AOX Daily Antioxidant Face Serum SPF 50, $42, Ulta.

HAVE A QUESTION? Email [email protected].

22 GH APRIL 2020

APRIL FRANZINO

BEAUTY

DIRECTOR

WACKY, DOES

IT WORK?

ZERO-EFFORT

BODY TONING

The buzzy noninvasive pro

body-contouring treatment

Emsculpt is FDA-approved

to break down fat and

define areas like the

abdomen and rear by using

electromagnetic energy to

trigger muscle contractions.

how it works The

device’s applicators are

placed on your body with

you lying down, delivering

“the equivalent of 20,000

crunches in 30 minutes,”

says New York City derm

Dendy Engelman, M.D.

lab lowdown Treat-

ment (about $1,000 per

half-hour session) is pain-

less, with no downtime or

side effects. Anyone will

get muscle-strengthening

benefits, but “those closer

to their ideal weight will

see the most visible defini-

tion,” says Jeannel Astarita,

founder of Just Ageless in

New York City.

GH BEAUTY LAB PICKS: L’ORÉAL PARIS INFALLIBLE PRO-LAST WATERPROOF

EYE PENCIL IN COBALT BLUE, $9, DRUGSTORES; ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE

WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE EYE PENCIL IN EMERALD VOLT, $27, DEPARTMENT

STORES; LANCÔME PARIS LE STYLO WATERPROOF LONG LASTING

EYELINER IN AMETHYST, $27, DEPARTMENT STORES

Suddenly Everywhere

JEWEL-TONE

EYE MAKEUP

For your next night out, swap out

black eyeliner for fresh, eye-brightening

gem tones like sapphire, emerald and

amethyst. Pro tip: Sketch a thin line along

upper lashes from inner corners out, or

layer on top of black liner for a subtle pop

of color. Pair with neutral lips and cheeks

to let the eye shade stand out.

Co

m

pu

te

r^ l

ig

ht

a

nd

b

od

y^ t

on

ing

:^ G

et

ty

Im

ag

es

(^2

).^

Je

we

l-T

on

e^

Ey

es

:^ M

ike

G

ar

te

n.^

Pr

op

st

yl

ing

:^ A

lex

M

at

a.^

In

se

t:^

Je

nn

C

ol

lin

s/

Th

e^

Lic

en

sin

g^

Pr

oj

ec

t.^

Fr

an

zin

o:^

Ch

ris

E

ck

er

t/

St

ud

io

D

.