Ceramides in Skincare
And how we fill the gaps
“And if you can’t make your own, store bought is fine.”
In your skin, ceramides are fatty acids that help hold onto moisture. They work in the stratum corneum of your epidermis - the very top layer of your skin. Not only do they help restore the function of your moisture barrier, but they also help protect the skin from allergens and externally caused damage (sun exposure, extreme weather, pollution).
Ceramides are naturally occurring in the skin, but not everyone seems to produce the same amount. Folks who have poor skin conditions have been found to have less to begin with, but we all can also lose ceramides as time goes on and our skin ages.
Why you want ceramide
Lots of things change as we get older, but there are some things that are simply worth holding onto! Experts often describe the stratum corneum as made up of bricks and mortar. Your skin cells are the bricks, and your lipids and fats (including ceramides) are the mortar that hold it all together. Not enough mortar and you’re at risk of a weak defence.
A weak skin barrier is undesirable for a slew of reasons. It can cause dry and flaky skin, redness, irritation, and make your skin more susceptible to infection. In addition to that, a weakened moisture barrier can look dry and dull. Dry skin enhances the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines - so plumping your skin with ceramides can also have an anti-ageing effect.
Where you can get ceramide
As well as eating well, drinking loads of water, and hoping your body keeps producing enough ceramide forever - you have options! Topical ceramides can help give your skin just the helping hand it needs.
One such example is the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, a retinol (= vitamin A1) product that promotes skin cell turnover and improves skin tone. Ceramides appear in this product in the form of Jeju-Cica Liposomlogy™ - a low-irritant mixture of ceramide NP, centella asiatica, and Jeju green soybean hyaluronic acid.
Out with the old and in with the new
This retinol product encourages skin cell turnover which can facilitate healthy-looking skin. High skin cell turnover keeps your skin looking brighter and more youthful so when it is combined with a healthy amount of that special “mortar”, your skin will come out feeling smooth and plump, just like a peeled egg.
Even though it is a retinol-based product, the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule is formulated to be used twice daily. It’s super lightweight, non-sticky, and has been skin irritation tested, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic tested, meaning it is suitable for most folks - no matter your skin type (yes, even for sensitive skin). But we always encourage doing a patch test whenever you introduce a new product to your skincare routine.
And of course, you won’t hear me talk about a retinol-based product without hearing a reminder about the importance of applying sunscreen! Suncare is important regardless (you can read more here), but is imperative when you’re dealing with retinol - you don’t want to undo all that ceramide-y goodness!
Let’s build something great together!
x
Gi