What Are Ceramides and How Do They Work in Skincare Products?

What Are Ceramides and How Do They Work in Skincare Products?

In our search for all things anti-ageing, we have turned our attention to the unsung hero of the beauty industry, ceramides. Often overlooked you will find there is often little written about ceramides, so we have collected the answers to your most asked questions about this skin restorative ingredient.

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are lipids, which are fats that occur naturally in the skin, mainly in the outer layer of the skin and helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors, such as pollution. They also work to maintain the health and functionality of the skin’s protective barrier. Ceramides come in high concentrates and makeup 50% of the skin’s composition meaning the way your skin looks and feels relies on them more than you realise.

What do ceramides do?

Ceramides keep skin cells linked together and form a protective blanket layer on the skin, proven to be more powerful than more commonly known ingredients, such as retinol. Ceramides have the ability to help protect the skin against any elements that can cause any signs of ageing and prevent any moisture loss leaving the skin looking youthful and healthy.

Though the body naturally produces ceramides you can also use products made from synthetic ceramides to give the skin a production boost. You can also add more foods to your diet that are high in fatty acids, such as avocados.

What are the benefits of ceramides?

With ceramides naturally occurring in your body, you may wonder if there is much point in using products containing any ceramides. It is actually hugely benefitcal to add them to your skincare routine. Environmental aggressors, such as exposure to UV rays, have a huge effect on the skin’s natural ceramides meaning they become depleted and the skin’s barrier become damages. When this happens you will find your skin will feel tight, irritation and redness with wrinkles and fine lines becoming more noticeable.

Main Benefits of ceramides

Ceramides reduce the signs of ageing

Ceramides reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Ceramides locks in moisture stopping the skin from drying out

Ceramides help dehydrated skin

The benefits of ceramides are not limited to any particular skin type, let us now explain the impact ceramides have on the various skin types.

Which skin types benefit from ceramides?

All the skin types are able to use products containing ceramides as they are in the body already, you will find that blemish-prone and sensitive skin benefit from using products containing ceramides as they are skin-replenishing and do not clash or cause any imbalance to the daily function of the skin.

For those who suffer with eczema and psoriasis, you may notice any topical products formulated to treat your conditions usually contain ceramides due to the super hydrating, moisture locking abilities of this powerhouse ingredient.

What’s the difference between natural and synthetic ceramides?

The natural ceramides are found in the skin, and can be introduced through diet by consuming food high in healthy fatty acids;

Sweet potatoes

Soy

Corn

Avocados

Wheat

Rice

The synthetic ceramides that are formulated in skincare products are reproduced in labs etc but do not falter on how effective they are for treating the skin. They are still able to replenish the skin of ceramides and their huge amount of benefits.

What to look for when finding products containing ceramides?

You will find a majority of the time that if a product contains ceramides that the packaging features a mention of it on the labels and in the ingredients list, look out for, ceramides, AP, EOP, NG, NP or NS, which are typically the names used. It is worth looking out for phytosphingosine and sphingosine as these ingredients are known as ceramide precursors, meaning they work at giving a boost in natural ceramide production in the skin.

Top Tip: always ensure you opt for products that have been properly packaged. By this I mean a product that is opaque and air-tight container as a majority of anti-ageing ingredients are unstable and lose their effectiveness with too much exposure to air and UV rays.

Can I use ceramides with other ingredients?

Ceramides give the best results when combined with other skin-replenishing ingredients, particularly ones that contain fatty acids in them like glycerine. Antioxidants, such as niacinamide are also a great skincare partner to use with ceramides. With this cocktail of ingredients, you will find that the skin’s tone, texture and signs of ageing are treated effectively.

The three main ingredients you will see the most results are;

Retinols

Antioxidants

Peptides

Other compounds that treat the skin, such as AHAs and BHAs also work great with ceramide and you can expect to see impressive results due to the fact that the chemical exfoliation to the skin allows the ceramide-enriched product to absorb into the skin and show results quicker. Some have said there is a similarity to hyaluronic acid and ceramide which is understandable as they are quite alike in regards to how they react and treat the skin. The main difference is ceramides are not as frequently spoken about and are lesser known throughout the market.

Check out our blog for a dedicated on chemical exfoliation to find out more about how it works and perfects the skin.

Is it better to use ceramide skincare or food supplements?

For some, it doesn’t really matter how you add ceramides to your routine, just so long as they are added. Those with hypersensitive skin and who suffer from other underlining skin conditions may find it easier to have food supplements and treat the concern from the inside out. For those with very dry and ageing skin applying a topical ceramide-enriched cream or lotion would be the better option.

How to use ceramide products in your skincare routine.

You may be pleased to hear that ceramide is available in a large variety of products;

Cleansers
Moisturisers
Serums
Face washes
Face masks

For a ceramide formulated cleanser it is best to use it twice and day to reap the hydrating benefits. Be sure to apply any moisturisers right after having a shower whilst your skin is slightly damp, allowing the product to lock in even more moisture. Be sure to apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to keep the skin protected from any UV damage. For the evening it should be the last step to your routine to allow time for the product to absorb into the skin and work wonders whilst you sleep.

Are there any side effects?

Ceramides are generally safe to use on all skin types, however, much like all skincare products performing a patch test is advised to ensure you don’t suffer with any reactions or irritation.

To do this:

Apply some product onto your forearm the size of 10p

Wait to see if you experience any redness, itching or other irritation

If any irritation occurs wash the area immediately and don’t continue using the product

If you don’t have any reactions straight away, leave for it 24 hours and if you don’t experience any irritation the product is safe to used elsewhere

When should I expect to see results?

You can see results almost immediately after applying ceramide moisturiser, the skin will feel comfortable, supple and look happy and hydrated. As for the anti-ageing benefits, this may take a little longer due to your skin’s natural skin cell cycle and the type of skin you have. In general, it is said that about six months is a good amount of time passed to see the results in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

As you are well aware now, ceramides are naturally present in the body and you wouldn’t be blamed for leaving it up to your skin to maintain its production.

If you are wanting to give your skin an extra nudge in ceramide production by introducing products containing ceramide to your routine you will see a great number of benefits and be left with well balanced, moisturised, younger-looking skin. You’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t know about this hard-working ingredient sooner!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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