Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast or a casual user, you’ve probably heard the word “CERAMIDE” before. Far from being a new ingredient, it actually occurs naturally in the skin, which has led to some confusion. We’re here to answer some of the big questions: What exactly are ceramides, what skin types are they best suited for, and what’s so special about Revolution Skincare’s ceramide formula? What are ceramides? In short, ceramides are long-chain fatty acids (lipids) that make up around 50% of the skin’s composition – they’re essential for building the structure of the skin; the glue that holds the skin together. The skin barrier is one of our skin’s first lines of defence – it controls what goes in and out, including water and makeup. What are the benefits of ceramides in skincare? When the delicate skin barrier is compromised, the complexion becomes dry and loses moisture, making it susceptible to irritation and, of course, microbial contamination. Additionally, as we age, our natural ceramide levels decrease, leading to dry skin and an increase in fine lines. Using ceramides in skincare formulations ensures that the skin barrier is protected, moisture is locked in, and the complexion remains soft and supple. In short, it’s an easy-to-use ingredient that works wonders in hydrating, nourishing and smoothing the skin! What makes Revolution Skincare Ceramide so special?
Now you know what ceramides are, but how is Revolution Skincare different from other formulas on the market?
As you might have guessed from the packaging, our cleansers, creams, and lotions contain up to five ceramides for maximum protection and care.
Plus, all products are dermatologically safe, provide 24-hour hydration, are non-comedogenic (so they won’t clog your pores), fragrance-free, hypoallergenic (formulated not to cause an allergic reaction), and are approved by PETA as vegan and cruelty-free.
Who can use ceramides? Ceramides are skin-identical, meaning they contain compounds that mimic the composition of naturally occurring elements already found in your skin.
So basically everyone can benefit from ceramides! However, here are the facts about different skin conditions that can really benefit from formulas containing ceramides:
Dry skin – Ceramides are a type of lipid that helps strengthen the lipid layer in the skin barrier, reducing water loss and dry patches, and keeping your skin soft and supple.
Dehydrated Skin – Since the use of ceramides improves the skin barrier, it improves the skin’s moisturizing properties, thus preventing dehydration.
Sensitive Skin – When the skin barrier is weakened, the skin is more susceptible to redness, pain and inflammation from external influences such as wind, sun, pollution and microbial contamination.
Ceramides help keep the skin barrier intact, protecting the skin from the elements, keeping the skin soft and reducing the risk of irritation.
Aging Skin – As we age, the skin’s ceramide levels naturally decline, causing the skin to look and feel dry, rough, and fine lines to become more noticeable. Topical application of ceramides can make the skin look and feel smoother and softer. Impurity-Prone Skin – Ceramides are very skin-friendly and don’t stress the skin too much. They help keep the skin barrier intact, which is important for preventing microbial contamination and allowing moisture levels to be properly controlled and balanced.
Which Ceramide Cleanser is Right for My Skin? Now comes the really exciting part! All of our cleansers are suitable for all skin types, but some contain ingredients that are very beneficial for different skin concerns. Normal to Dry Skin: If you have dry skin, the Smoothing Cleanser or the Hydrating Cleanser are your best choices. The Hydrating Cleanser formula also contains Hyaluronic Acid to deep cleanse, leaving skin soft, healthy and hydrated. SMOOTHING CLEANSER contains ceramides and a team of premium skincare ingredients – salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide – to hydrate, control oil, minimize pores and prevent blemishes. Normal to Oily Skin: If your skin is normal but oily, we recommend CERAMIDES FOAMING CLEANSER, which has the dual action of Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. The foaming formula provides intense cleansing action, and the combination of ingredients provides hydrating, pore-refining benefits.
What other skincare ingredients can be combined with ceramides? When it comes to introducing a new ingredient, a key question is whether it will work with some of your current favorite formulas – don’t worry, we recommend ceramides because they are easy to incorporate into your daily routine! We already have many great ingredient combinations in our product line, but we also recommend using ceramides with AHAs and BHAs, retinol, and other ingredients that are skin-friendly like amino acids and glycerin. Excellent.
Revolution Skincare Moisturizing Lotion and Cream To complete your ceramide routine, we offer the Ceramide Moisturizing Lotion and Cream – both contain hydrating hyaluronic acid to nourish, conceal and soothe the skin. The formula is suitable for all skin types (although dry skin will benefit the most). The main difference is the texture – the lotion has a lighter formula while the cream has a richer formula, which is ideal if your skin is particularly sensitive or has a compromised skin barrier.
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.
