FACT OR FICTION: IS TECHNOLOGY AGEING US?

You may have heard the buzz about the ageing effects of High Energy Visible Light (HEVL), or blue light, on skin. Part of the spectrum of radiation found in the sun’s rays, it’s also the main type of light emitted from smartphones and digital devices. ‘Blue light may give off infrared radiation, which releases cell-damaging free radicals that can cause premature ageing and hyper-pigmentation,’ says Dr Preema Vig. Before you contemplate a total digital detox, however, it’s worth knowing that the amount of blue light emitted from digital devices is only a fraction of the amount we are exposed to from the sun, according to dermatologist Anjali Mahto. She says there’s little evidence that HEVL causes premature ageing, but if it’s a concern, use an antioxidant serum followed by a daily broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30. Or do as dermatologist Dr Howard Murad advises: ‘A daily moisturiser with physical sunscreen blocks, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide, bounces the blue light back off skin.’ Try Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF50, £45, or Skinceuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense, £37. Other experts advocate products containing fractionated melanin, claiming it offers additional protection to UVA and UVB filters to minimise HEVL damage. Find it in the Niod Survival range, from £20. Blue light is also used in acne–treating devices but, as it’s in short bursts, experts say the benefits are probably greater than any potential risk of age acceleration. EXFOLIATING PEEL PADS Which of the at-home facial peel pads really delivers? The GHI investigates ■

£73.50 for 30; cultbeauty.co.uk With a two-step system that reduces sensitivity, these gentle pads were a hit with our panel. The first pad contains a blend of exfoliating AHAS and BHAS, while the second is packed full of calming camellia leaf extract and antioxidants. After 14 days, testers said their skin looked more even and radiant, and that pore size had dramatically reduced. 85/100 ■

£24 for 60; pixibeauty.co.uk As these pads contain 20% glycolic acid, the formula has

to be rinsed off skin after two to three minutes to neutralise the active ingredients. Despite the high levels of acid, the majority of our testers thought the pads weren’t irritating on their skin and left them with a radiant and glowing complexion and smaller pores. 84/100

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£58 for 30; dermadoctor.com These pads use a skin-plumping blend of vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, along with exfoliating glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids. Testers with combination skin found these helped to prevent and treat blemishes, too. 83/100 When using products containing AHAS and BHAS, be sure to use a daily SPF of at least 30 and avoid scrubs. If you use retinol serums and creams, alternate them with AHAS/BHAS. Initially, try using peel pads two or three times a week and building up, as they can cause a little irritation at first.

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads, Pixi Glow Peel Pads, Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pads, HOW WE TESTED Our panel of 186 testers tried 10 brands over a 14-day testing period. For full results, visit goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute