Challenges of a hyperconnected life

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

We are all aware 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 eletromagnetic particles that travel in waves, and these waves emit energy and range in length and strenght. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Every wavelength is represented by a different colour, 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 part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is seen as colours: 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, smart phones and tablets), electronic devices, and fluorescent and LED lighting. Blue light has its benefits – in its natural form, our body use blue light from the sun to regulate our natural sleep and wake cycles, which is known as 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 waveleghts flicker more frequently than HEV having longer wavelenths, and this flickering creates glare that can reduce visual contrast and affect sharpness and clarity. This can also be one of the reasons for headache, eyestrain and physical and mental fatigue after long periods in front of a computer screen.

TEGO® Pep UP

TEGO® Pep UP, the new standard to maintain a youthful appearance We all know that a youthful appearance is a global desire, even among different age groups. TEGO® Pep UP is Evonik’s answer to a youthful appearance that protects skin against the damage of blue light.

TEGO® Pep UP is a biomimetic tetrapeptide enabling the skin to appear to defy gravity, by triggering 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 of TEGO® Pep UP, on wrinkles near the eyes. Results clearly show that just 0.5% TEGO® Pep UP significantly increases the contractile forces of wrinkled fibroblasts. In addition, results also confirm that TEGO® Pep UP is able to protect the skin against damage caused by blue light, as well as to support regeneration after blue light irradiation.

Blue Light Defense Eye Cream Gel

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. Aware of that, we carefully developed this eye cream gel with elegant and soft skin feel, which contributes to prevention and reduction in the appearance of wrinkles that are caused by HEV/blue light, thanks to TEGO® Pep UP, a biomimetic tetrapeptide offering anti-aging, anti-sagging and anti-gravity benefits.