Ceramides; you've seen them on product packaging in names & ingredient lists, but do you know what they are & what they do for your skin?
Here we'll break down what they are, how they help skin stay youthful, and whether or not a product with ceramides is right for you.
What are Ceramides?
Ceramides are a class of lipids (naturally occurring fatty compounds) that are a key component of the stratum corneum, our skin's outermost layer.
They combine with cholesterol and free fatty acids to create the part of the skin barrier that helps regulate hydration, preventing transepidermal water loss.
What do Ceramides do in skincare?
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Like many naturally occurring compounds in the skin, ceramide health and concentration in the skin diminishes over time, leading to dry, sagging, more mature looking skin. It's normal for ceramides in the skin to die off, but while they're easily replenished by skin in youth, that ability declines with age.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, the goal with including ceramides in products like moisturizers is to replenish our skin's supply and help it better retain moisture.
Since ceramides naturally occur in the top layer of our skin, it's much easier to absorb them from skincare products, compared to other ingredients that need to penetrate deeper to work.
By choosing a moisturizer or hydrating serum that contains ceramides, you help replenish your skin and its ability to naturally retain moisture.
You can read more about ceramides and your skin at The Cleveland Clinic
Who should include Ceramides in their skin regimen?
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Anyone with dry, mature, or aging skin, can benefit from the moisturization boost ceramides provide.
If you are in your 20s or 30s your skin is still naturally replenishing your skin's ceramide supply so you don't need to worry about them yet. But it might be a good idea to choose a ceramide rich moisturizer seasonally, if your skin feels more dry than normal in the winter.
Ceramide Product Recommendations
1) SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream My personal favorite in the winter time, this is a thick, luxurious moisturizer that leaves skin feeling soft and thoroughly replenished.
It's also got the added anti-aging benefit of SkinMedica's TNS growth factors, and soothing ingredients that make this a great post-procedure moisturizer too.
2) NeoGenesis Barrier Renewal Cream Like its name suggests, this moisturizer has everything your skin's barrier needs to renew itself, including plenty of ceramides.
And, since NeoGenesis is committed to making oncology safe prodcuts, it is safe to use even on the most sensitive or post procedure skin.
3) Revision Skincare DEJ Face Cream With Revision Skincare's proprietary ceramide blend, DEJ Face Cream is another great option for a ceramide rich moisturizer.
Plus, it's a comprehensive formula with antioxidants, prebiotics, and other anti-aging ingredients to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
4) Allies of Skin Peptide and Ceramide Repair Lip Balm If your lips are dry or damaged enough that regular lip balm isn't doing the trick anymore, it's time to try one with ceramides!
Our lips's skin is much thinner than on other parts of the body so it loses water content more easily. Replenish your lip's ability to stay moisturized with this balm.
5) EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Maybe you're surprised to see a sunscreen on this list, but it makes sense, since it's your skin's first line of defense against damage and evaporation from the sun.
With this new offering from EltaMD, even your daily SPF can help repair your skin barrier and help it retain moisture.
