What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides have increased in popularity for skincare formulations over the past few years, and for good reason. They’re a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient with proven results. In this article, we’ll discuss what ceramides are and how they can benefit your skin.
Ceramides are lipids found naturally in high concentrations in the uppermost layers of the skin. They make up over 50% of the skin’s composition and play an important role in skin health. Ceramides help retain moisture and firmness, and strengthen the protective barrier.
Working as the foundation of your skin, ceramides help hold the skin together by forming a protective layer that limits TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and protects against visible damage from irritants, bacteria, pollution, and other environmental factors. This keeps the skin looking plump and firm, as well as rejuvenates the skin’s appearance.
What Are The Benefits Of Ceramides?
Rejuvenates the skin
As we age, production of the skin’s structural proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin begin to slow down. This plays a large role in the degradation of the skin barrier, leading to visible signs of aging due to thinner skin. Ceramides have water-retaining properties that prevent moisture loss; in turn, hydrated skin minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ceramides can also stimulate the production of keratinocytes. Increasing keratin production rejuvenates the skin barrier, which then reduces signs of aging.
Protects against sun damage
Exposure to sunlight and UV rays is responsible for 90% of visible skin aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. It was found that ceramide-rich moisturizers and sunscreens can protect against UVA and UVB rays. These ceramide-rich products also improve hydration, help maintain a healthy cell turnover rate, reduce redness, and treat hyperpigmentation.
Helps maintain a healthy skin barrier
As mentioned previously, the natural aging process leads to slowed production levels of structural proteins; ceramide loss in the skin. When ceramide levels decrease, the protective outer layer of the skin becomes compromised. This leaves room for infection and skin inflammation to occur. Using ceramide-rich products can help keep the skin barrier healthy and functioning properly.
Boosts hydration
Ceramides do an amazing job of locking in moisture and boosting hydration in the skin. When the skin is dehydrated, the barrier becomes compromised which then leads to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). As a result, the skin becomes dry and inflamed with an increased risk of developing psoriasis, acne, eczema, or other inflammatory skin conditions.
Ceramides have been proven to significantly decrease TEWL, which in turn improves barrier function. It has also been shown that ceramide moisturizers used in conjunction with acne treatments can combat the dry skin and irritation acne treatments often cause.
How Can I Use Ceramides?
Because ceramides are naturally produced in our skin, they’re safe for all skin types and conditions to use. They can often be found in formulations like moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and toners; which are all perfectly okay to use both morning and night.
What Other Ingredients Do Ceramides Work Well With?
Ceramides are a skin-replenishing ingredient and work best with ingredients that serve a similar purpose like fatty acids, glycerin, and cholesterol. These lipid combinations are perfect for improving skin tone and texture, providing anti-aging properties, and relieving signs of skin sensitivity.
How Can I Know If A Product Contains Ceramides?
Generally, they will appear as the word ceramide on an ingredient list. However, another thing to look out for is ingredients related to ceramides. Such as phytosphingosine and sphingosine, these are both ceramide precursors. This means they encourage the skin to make its own ceramides!
Takeaway
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids in our skin that play an integral role in skin structure. They work to improve barrier function, prevent TEWL, and keep skin hydrated and plump. A healthy skin barrier protects against harmful pathogens, irritants, and environmental toxins, for this reason, ceramides are a huge benefit to have in your skincare routine.
