BEAUTY
YOUR SKIN?
That ever-present mobile device effs with your attractiveness. Behold, easy fixes that don’ t involve a digital diet.
BY LAUREN BALSAMO
THE SUN AND YOUR CELL
UV rays are intensified when reflected off your screen. Derms equate it to holding a mirror up to your face. Invest in an antiglare phone protector( you can find them on Amazon), and don’ t forget the SPF.
IS YOUR PHONE RUINING
JUNETICS Screen Tinted HEV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $ 44, junetics. com
MAKE Moonlight Primer, $ 55, makebeauty. com
MURAD City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer, $ 70, murad. com
M-61 Hydraboost Eye Serum, $ 72, bluemercury. com
PAULA’ S CHOICE Resist Intensive Repair Cream, $ 33, paulas choice. com
TECH EFFECT
Uneven Texture
Blame it on high-energy visible( HEV) light— the blue light emitted by most smart devices. Science suggests that, like UV, it may cause brown spots and wrinkles, says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, an NYC derm.( Thankfully, HEV hasn’ t been linked to skin cancer.) As a result, brands are tapping into ingredients designed to protect skin from HEV. Junetics’ SPF and Make’ s primer use vegetable-derived melanin to absorb HEV before it penetrates skin, while Murad’ s antioxidant cream strengthens skin as you snooze. A free hack for iPhone users: Switch to Night Shift mode to reduce the amount of blue light emitted.
TECH EFFECT
Crow’ s-Feet
Ten hours: On average, that’ s how long a study found college-age women spend on their phones a day. Squinting at tiny text and staring at eye-straining blue light can damage collagen, causing skin to crease earlier than usual, says Elizabeth Hale, MD, an NYC derm.“ Crow’ s-feet are at the top of my millennial patients’ list of complaints,” she says. Adjust your screen’ s brightness to match that of the room you’ re in, then bump up the font size. An eye serum with hyaluronic acid and peptides( like M-61’ s) can plump and boost firmness long-term.
TECH EFFECT
Necklace Lines
Repetitive chin-to-chest movements to look at every notification can weaken the thin, delicate skin of the neck, leading to horizontal lines and sagging, explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist in NYC, who notes the skin in this area is already prone to premature aging. To prevent“ tech neck,” elevate your screen to eye level and apply a retinol-spiked cream( see Paula’ s Choice, left), which helps keep skin smooth and firm.
JENNIFER LIVINGSTON / TRUNK ARCHIVE. STILLS: JEFFREY WESTBROOK / STUDIO D.
46 _ COSMOPOLITAN _ JANUARY 2017