Are LED Makeup Mirrors Bad For Your Eyes? (Complete Guide)

If you’re like me, then you absolutely love the fact that you can get a makeup mirror with a built-in light.

It makes it so much easier to see every little detail of your face and know if your makeup is blended in properly. 

So before you rush out to buy one for yourself, there are things you should know about these types of mirrors and whether the hype surrounding them is worth it or not.

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

How Harmful Are LED Lights to the Eyes?

Today, LED lights are the most common on a makeup vanity mirror. I have noticed that warm lights are gentler to the eyes than other alternative lighting sources like blue ones.

But then too much exposure to white and cold color LED lights can cause severe eye damage and headache. [1] These are two visible signs and symptoms.

Let us find out other adverse effects of different LED lights.

White and warm LED light effects

Exposure to warm white LEDs will not damage your eyes. But this does not mean that you should spend a lot of time exposed to warm white LED light.

I would suggest adjusting the light when doing your makeup.

Blue LED lights effects

Most electronic devices like computers, laptops, digital TV screens, and smartphones produce blue lights.

Blue light can also lead to sleep dysfunction. A condition that affects standard sleep patterns, difficulty sleeping, and poor eyesight.

Retina damage because of over-exposure to blue light is irreversible.

Other long-term effects of blue light include muscular degeneration, sleep distortion, and permanent damage to the retina.

According to Dr. Singh, “There’s always a concern about children’s screen exposure.” “The younger the generation, the more exposure they have to screens and blue light from these LED-backlit devices. [2] They’re getting far more exposure to this than we did in the past.”

Here is more information to help you understand more about the adverse effects of LED light on the eyes.

How can we protect our eyes from LED light?

When applying makeup, you can’t wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the LED light. But, you can try a few practical solutions to protect your eyes.

According to Biology and Genetics in Vision Research, [3] intense blue light can often impair vision by damaging the retina.

Here are 6 effective ways.

1. Do not stare at LED light for extended periods.

Always avoid staring at the light for more than 20 minutes when applying makeup. This also applies to electronic devices with blue light.

2. Limit the amount of time you spend focused on LED light.

Overexposure to the light is harmful to your health. At least spend 11 to 15 minutes in front of a vanity mirror.

3. Adjust or turn the lights off.

Always dim a vanity mirror with lights or turn any white light off after using it.

4. Embrace natural light.

Natural light adds even brightness to a room. It also neutralizes LED illumination to your eyes.

5. Keep a safe distance from the lights.

Keep a safe distance from the LED  source. Do not apply makeup with your face placed too close to the LED light bulbs or incandescent bulbs.

You should adjust the brightness if you do not have the perfect vision. You should also dim the LED lights if you feel some itchiness or irritation.

6. Only use quality LED light.

The quality of LED light on makeup mirrors varies. Check the quality of the light before purchasing a cosmetic mirror.

You should only pick the recommended low-intensity soft & diffuse light. These lights are not harmful to the retina.

Find out more tips in this short 5-minutes video.

Difference between LED Makeup Mirrors and Other Mirrors (for your vision)

There are a few differences between an LED makeup mirror and an ordinary mirror.

The major significant difference between the two is an acute reflection.

Ordinary mirrors reflect natural light from the surrounding environment without intensifying extra effects. For instance, if it is dark, the reflection will also be unclear.

LED makeup mirrors emulate natural light. This makes it easy to see even the very minute details. You can also dim the lights on an LED mirror to cater to your specific liking. A functionality that is not available with ordinary mirrors.

Are LED lights better for your eyes than fluorescent?

“Overexposure to UV rays is harmful to the retina but beneficial to the skin. As Dr. Celia Sánchez-Ramos puts it in the Daily Mail article,” [4] “Eyes are not designed to look at light—they are designed to see with light.”

LED light produces warm, gentle light that does not damage the eyes. Blue LED light is not always recommended for applying makeup.

So, LED lights are better for your eyes than fluorescent. Replace any fluorescent bulbs with LED light bulbs.

How to use an LED Makeup mirror for boosted performance

Makeup mirrors are easy to use. You should understand how to position your face when using LED makeup mirrors

Here are two ways to use an LED-powered makeup mirror for boosted performance.

1. Make sure you sit at least 12 inches from the mirror plane

This protects your eyes from the LED light and allows you to hold makeup tools like eye pencils.

2. Dim the LED lights according to your preferences

If you are applying makeup in the middle of the day, ensure that the LED lights are dim enough. Particularly for bright white LED lights.

It is always recommended to embrace natural lighting while applying makeup.

Here is a video from makeup artist Dillio explaining how to use a makeup mirror.

Here are the four top LED mirrors for the perfect makeup session

Consider these seven factors before purchasing a vanity mirror. For the best makeup session.

Note that frameless Hollywood mirror with lights is the best makeup mirror. These mirrors have the following 7 properties.

1. Lighted quality makeup mirror
2. Versatile
3. Portability
4. Touch-up only mirror
5. Design: Wall-mounted or freestanding
6. For tweezing or shaving
7. Style

TOP four LED mirrors for the perfect makeup session

1-Danielle LED Hollywood makeup mirror

• Dimmable LED bulbs
• Touch sensor
• 6 super bright LED bulbs
• 360 degrees rotation
• 5-minute auto shut off

2-NIESO 8″ Lighted Makeup Mirror

• High-quality nickel material that does not corrode
• Many power supply system
• Versatile
• 360° rotation
• Comes with natural soft bright light

3-Conair Reflections Double-Sided Lighted Vanity Makeup Mirror

• Available with incandescent light that produces soft halo light that is visually clear
• Features 1X magnification and 7X magnification levels for precise grooming and tweezing sessions
• Modern polished chrome finish

4-KEDSUM Flexible Gooseneck 6.8″ 10x Magnifying LED Lighted Makeup Mirror

This is the best makeup mirror for anyone wearing glasses or contact lenses.

• 5-inch adjustable gooseneck. You can adjust the height to fit your preference
• Powerful 10-Times magnification levels to enhance focus on the face
• Powerful Suction Cup to secure attachment against the wall
• 360° rotation

According to senior chemist Sabina Wizemann from goodhousekeeping.com, “she likes how larger makeup mirrors are better than standard compact mirrors and much easier to hold, thanks to the fold-out ring in the back.”

Also, “sun-simulating lights and magnification make the best vanity mirrors when traveling or keeping it in the bag. For quick makeup touchups.”

If you have poor vision, you should consider the best makeup mirror for bad eyesight.

Check out this video to find out more about ideal LED makeup mirrors.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, are lighted bathroom mirrors worth it? Or are they bad for your eyes?

There doesn’t seem to be any definitive proof that LED makeup mirrors to cause side effects like eye strain. However, prolonged exposure to the light emitted by these mirrors could contribute to eye fatigue.

LED lighting can affect everyone in different ways depending on an individual’s physiology.

So if you are concerned about potential damage to your eyes or other bodily systems, it is best to consult with a medical expert before using the mirror at all.

Do you use LED makeup mirrors? Please share your experience below!

References

• 1. Exposure to LED lights could be harmful; scientists suggest a simple solution. www.downtoearth.org.in. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/exposure-to-led-lights-could-be-harmful-scientists-suggest-a-simple-solution-58544
• 2. Are LED Lights Damaging Your Retina? Cleveland Clinic. Published August 9, 2019. Accessed April 19, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-led-lights-damaging-your-retina/#:~:text=A%202012%20Spanish%20study%20found
• 3. Tosini G, Ferguson I, Tsubota K. Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology. Molecular vision. 2016;22:61-72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4734149/
• 4. Reilly R. Do “environmentally friendly” LED lights cause BLINDNESS?. Mail Online. Published May 14, 2013. Accessed April 19, 2022. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2324325/Do-environmentally-friendly-LED-lights-cause-BLINDNESS.html

Last update on 2022-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API