What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and support its stratum corneum – the outermost layer of your skin that keeps the good stuff in (i.e. moisture) and the bad stuff out (namely environmental aggressors such as pollution). A strong barrier is like a protective boundary wall, with ceramides as its mortar; when weakened it will allow the loss of the nutrients and hydration we want to preserve, and allow those external stressors in.
How Do Ceramides Benefit My Skin?
Ceramides in your skincare can boost your own natural ceramide reserves which diminish as we age, helping to keep skin’s natural defences strong and resilient from those environmental aggressors. If your skin has been over-treated with harsh, stripping skincare or acid treatments, your natural barrier could be compromised and lead to transient epidermal water loss (TEWL). This, in turn, can cause blemishes, dryness, redness and generally unhappy skin. A soothing, restorative ceramide-rich cream could help to repair the damage, leaving your natural moisture barrier strengthened. Once your barrier is repaired, it will be able to retain hydration more effectively, leading to plumper, dewier, smoother skin.
Where Should I Add Ceramides Into My Skincare Routine?
Ceramides are usually found in serums or creams and gels, applied in the final stages of your skincare routine, both morning and evening. They can be combined with other ingredients and suit most, if not all skin types, but are especially beneficial for those with super dry or sensitive skin. Pro tip: Also add Niacinimide into your skincare routine, to boost your skin’s own ceramide production.
By Lydia Mansi
March 2023
