During the workday, you know how common it is to lose track of time. One minute, you’re starting your day by brewing a cup of coffee and checking emails, then seemingly in the blink of an eye, it’s dark out and you haven’t emerged from your office, let alone your cocoon of devices—you might be on your computer, smartphone, and (admit it!) TV all at the same time, and you’re not alone. According to a study by The Vision Council, nearly 60 percent of Americans use digital devices for five or more hours a day, and 70 percent of Americans are using two or more devices simultaneously.
All this screen time isn’t just negatively affecting our sleep, but also taking a toll on our skin quality by increasing our exposure to HEV (high-energy visible) or blue light. “Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and carries more energy than colors like red or yellow—it penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB rays,” warns board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko. While your typical SPF can block UVA and UVB light, it can’t block HEV, so it makes sense that “blue light sunscreen,” formulas to block this damaging form of light, are surging in popularity.
Vogue’s Favorite Blue-Light Sunscreens:
“A lot of the popularity can come from interest outside of beauty, from health and wellness to the awareness of blue light damage to eyes,” says cosmetic chemist Victoria Fu of the blue light beauty trend, who notes that it makes sense that SPF is getting the blue light treatment. Thanks to heightened awareness of sun protection, sunscreen has rightfully shifted from a seasonal pickup to a year-round staple. “New claims extending to blue light are being made to [help SPF] stand out in a crowded arena,” she explains.
But blue light claims are not easily quantified, says Fu. “Blue light protection isn’t a gimmick, but it also isn’t as well studied, understood, or regulated in comparison to UV light,” she explains. Blue light protection is a vague and generalized assertion; to make this product claim, skin-care manufacturers can take a broad range of formulation approaches.
One of the most common strategies for creating blue light sunscreen is to use pigmented titanium dioxide and iron oxides, the only ingredients that can help block blue light, says Fu. These ingredients are commonly found in tinted mineral sunscreens. Another approach is by using antioxidants like cocoa seed extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide. Studies show that HEV can cause free radical damage, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, premature skin aging, and a weakened skin barrier, and these ingredients can help address oxidative damage, fade dark spots, soothe and calm skin, promote collagen production, and boost hydration levels, among other benefits. The best formulas will combine mineral SPFs with antioxidants. “Together, these ingredients support skin repair and help maintain a brighter, more even complexion,” Dr. Reszko explains.
Protecting your skin from blue light is important, but because the efficacy of “blue light SPF” or other HEV protection products isn’t yet fully understood, it’s best addressed with a comprehensive routine rather than one “blue-light blocking” product, especially if you’re someone who struggles to cut back on screen time. “The goal isn’t to create fear around screens, but rather to maintain healthy, resilient skin through consistent protection and care,” says Dr. Reszko. Here, a selection of hard-working blue light sunscreens to add to your free radical-blocking regimen.
In This Story:
- Does blue-light sunscreen work?
- How damaging is blue light to your skin?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Lightweight: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 50
- Why We Love It: This formula is one of the main mineral SPFs that Fu recommends. “It is a thin, dry fluid that absorbs quickly,” she says. A blend of antioxidants, including vitamin E and senna alata leaf extract, help protect skin from free radical damage, thermal spring water works to calm sensitive skin, and silica provides a mattifying effect by absorbing excess oil.
- Editor’s Experience: “No one makes weightless sunscreens like La Roche-Posay. This is a featherweight serum that is a literal dream to apply. It feels like nothing on the skin and never ever leaves a white cast. What more can you ask for?” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, senna alata leaf extract, silica, thermal spring water
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Titanium dioxide 6.0%, Zinc oxide 5.0%)
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best for a Glow: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
- Why We Love It: This chemical sunscreen works to block blue light with antioxidant-rich cocoa seed extract while helping to brighten the complexion—over time with niacinamide and vitamin C, and instantly with its glowy, luminous finish. “The tinted formula acts as a primer, creating a smooth, radiant base that works well under makeup or alone,” says Dr. Reszko. We like wearing it solo to let the formula’s dewy finish shine.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cocoa seed extract, vitamin C
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%)
- SPF Level: SPF 40
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Best Mineral: EltaMD UV AOX Elements Tinted Mineral SPF 50
- Why We Love It: This tinted sunscreen is a favorite of dermatologists due to its antioxidant-packed formula, which helps combat free radicals (and up to 56 percent of blue light!) while being gentle enough to wear on sensitive, post-procedure skin. “The bronze tint blends well with many skin tones and provides a smooth finish, making it suitable for daily use under makeup or on its own,” adds Dr. Reszko.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, bisabolol
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Zinc oxide 13.5%, Titanium dioxide 4.4%)
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Best Matte Finish: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
- Why We Love It: This high-coverage tinted SPF can replace your foundation, says Fu—it boasts a lightweight, shade-shifting formula that transforms as you massage it into your skin to deliver full, matte coverage in six flexible hues. In addition to protecting your complexion from UVA, UVB, and HEV damage, it helps soothe with niacinamide and bisabolol while boosting hydration levels with snow mushroom extract.
- Key Ingredients: Iron oxides, niacinamide, bisabolol, snow mushroom extract
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Zinc oxide 12%)
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Size: 1.8 fl. oz.
Best for Dry Skin: Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31
- Why We Love It: This mineral SPF uses non-nano zinc oxide to shield skin from UVA and UVB rays, plus zonaria tournefortii extract (a brown seaweed) to stave off damaging HEV light. The signature ingredient, however, is the brand’s plum complex—the sister founders of Le Prunier use materials from their family’s century-old plum farm—to support collagen production, skin barrier health, and hydration without congesting pores. “The lightweight formula blends easily without leaving a white cast and works well under makeup,” says Dr. Reszko. “With SPF 31, it’s suitable for daily indoor use or low-to-moderate sun exposure, though it may not offer sufficient protection for extended outdoor activities.”
- Key Ingredients: Zonaria tournefortii extract, plum oil, plum seed extract
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Non-nano zinc oxide 4.7%)
- SPF Level: SPF 31
- Size: 2 fl. oz.
Best Feel: Coola Refreshing Water Plumping Gel Serum SPF 30
- Why We Love It: This chemical SPF serum delivers a heavy dose of hydration without the weight, courtesy of the hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and aloe in the formula. It absorbs instantly to quench skin’s thirst while offering a pleasant cooling sensation as it blocks damage from UV, free radicals, and blue light with antioxidants like cocoa seed and turmeric extracts.
- Editor’s Experience: “This sunscreen is very important to me. It’s the one I reach for most often, no matter the season, so I love that it offers blue light protection too for office days (we’re in four days per week after all!). With it’s gel-like texture, it melds into skin and layers well under makeup—very important for hectic mornings before a commute.” —K.M.
- Key Ingredients: Cocoa seed extract, turmeric extract, hyaluronic acid, coconut water, aloe
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 6.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 7.0%)
- SPF Level: SPF 30
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Protection: Skinbetter Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 75
- Why We Love It: This mineral formula boasts a high sun protection factor of SPF 75 in a richer, tinted formula that contains iron oxides to protect against visible light, including blue light, says Dr. Reszko. “It’s ideal for individuals concerned about pigmentation or those spending extended periods outdoors,” she adds. The soothing, antioxidant-rich formula offers enough coverage that it can be used in lieu of a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, plankton extract, squalane
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Titanium dioxide 3.5%, Zinc oxide 10.0%)
- SPF Level: SPF 75
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Does blue light sunscreen work?
It’s first important to understand that not all sunscreens protect against blue light. “Mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides have been shown to provide protection against both UV and visible light [such as blue light],” explains Dr. Reszko. Chemical sunscreens do not cover the visible light spectrum, and sheer (un-tinted) mineral sunscreens only provide protection from a small portion of some of the blue light wavelengths, says Fu. According to Dr. Reszko, you’ll get the best blue light protection from a tinted mineral SPF that you reapply consistently and pair with an antioxidant-rich skin-care routine (bonus points if your SPF also contains antioxidants). But ultimately, while blue light sunscreens can work, “we don’t really know to what degree and how long,” warns Fu.
How damaging is blue light to your skin?
We’re exposed to blue light daily—not only is it emitted by the sun, LED lights, and fluorescent lighting, but also by digital devices, the use of which continues to surge (there’s a reason people are seeking out digital detox resorts!) “Over time, excessive blue light exposure can accelerate the skin’s aging process by generating oxidative stress, which breaks down collagen and leads to inflammation,” explains Dr. Reszko. “It can also contribute to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, particularly in individuals prone to melasma or post-inflammatory pigmentation.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to blue light sunscreens, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, finish, UV filter type, SPF level, how the sunscreen feels on skin, and whether it leaves a white cast. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
- Victoria Fu is a cosmetic chemist and the cofounder of the podcast Chemist Confessions.
