We often talk about skin damage caused by the outdoors (UV rays, wind, altitude) but your skin can experience similar damage from a day in front of a laptop, under LED office lights, or living in a bustling city. Your skin is fighting many of the same battles as a hiker on a 14,000-foot peak. Here is the science of why "digital stress" and city life mimics mountain air, and how botanical chemistry can save your skin.
1. The Blue Light "Burn"
You’ve heard about the harm UVA and UVB rays rays from the sun can cause, but High Energy Visible (HEV) light, better known as Blue Light is also harmful. The main source of Blue light is the sun, but it is also emitted by our phones, tablets, and monitors and actually penetrates deeper into the skin than UV rays.
Once it reaches the dermis, it triggers oxidative stress. As a biochemist, I look at this as a localized "sunburn" of sorts. Blue light can cause oxidative stress, break down collagen and elastin fibers, cause premature aging, inflammation and hyperpigmentation.
The Connection: Just as plants at high altitudes have to develop extra antioxidants to survive intense solar radiation, your skin needs those same high-potency antioxidants to neutralize the "digital radiation" of your workspace.
2. Recycled Air = Desert Air
Have you noticed your skin feeling tight and itchy by 3:00 PM? Most office buildings and modern homes use climate-control systems that strip the air of humidity. This creates a "micro-climate" that is just as dehydrating as desert air.
When the air is dry, it pulls moisture directly out of your skin through a process called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This weakens your skin barrier, making you more prone to more moisture loss, redness and fine lines.
3. Urban Pollutants and "Invisible Dust"
City air is filled with microscopic pollutants. These particles can be 20 times smaller than your pores. They sit on the skin's surface, causing inflammation and "smog-induced" aging.
Your Digital Defense Routine
To protect your skin from this "Digital Peak," you need products that act as a breathable shield. Here is how I recommend using the power of high-altitude botanicals to protect your skin, anywhere in the world:
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Create a Moisture Shield: Springtide Gold face cream is rich in botanical antioxidants including calendula, green tea and rosemary. These botanical antioxidants, along with vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid help intercept free radicals from blue light before they can damage your collagen. This can be used morning or night.
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Reset with Hydrosols or Elder B Essence: Don't let the office air win. When you feel dry during the day, try a hydrosol spritz. This not only tones and hydrates but can also give you a mood boost mid day. For extra hydration, Elder B Essence with hyaluronic acid and B vitamins can hydrate and brighten skin. Either can be spritzed over makeup any time of day.
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Repair the Barrier: Meadow Mist facial cleanser is a gentle cleanser that will remove particles from your skin without drying. Follow up with Springtide moisturizer, Parsley C Serum or Aspenglow facial balm. These can help repair the barrier that the day’s pollution and dry air tried to break down.
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The Chemistry of Resilience
At Colorado Aromatics, we grow our herbs on our farm in Longmont where the intense Colorado environment forces the plants to become stronger and more antioxidant-rich.
You might not be hiking a mountain today, but your skin is working just as hard to stay healthy in a digital world. Why not give it the same "mountain-strength" protection?