When it comes to anti-aging and skin-care ingredients, ceramides are one such ingredient that has a proven track record. However, despite this, they are still often overlooked and rarely talked upon.
In this article, we are going to look at how ceramides have been proven to help the skin retain moisture, fortify the protective barrier, and even help to keep the appearance firm.
Read on if you would like to find out more!
What are ceramides?
So, what actually are ceramides? Ceramides are lipids (aka fats) that are naturally occurring and found in high concentrations on the uppermost layers of your skin. In fact, ceramides make up over 50% of your skin’s composition which is why it comes as no surprise that they play a crucial role in how your skin looks, and how it responds to environmental threats.
Think of ceramides as the essential building blocks of your skin! If your house was made 50% of brick and 50% of wood when it came to repairs and maintenance you’d want to make sure that you had plenty of both components to ensure it was structurally sound and looked its absolute best.
What do ceramides do for your skin?
So, what do ceramides do for your skin? Ceramides are lipid molecules that play an essential role in your skin day-to-day. They help with water retention function, and they act as a barrier in the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of your skin.
Ceramides make sure that trans-epidermal water loss doesn’t occur too quickly and does this by holding onto water in the skin for longer, keeping it nice and moist.
Additionally, ceramides can also reduce any free radicals in the skin that may otherwise attack and destroy your elastic and collagen. This in turn helps to prevent any metabolic processes that may lead to hyperpigmentation and aging spots.
Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds skin cells tightly together in the upper layers of the skin, keeping fluid retention high and providing protection against any potential allergens and external threats.
The best thing about ceramides is that not only are they paramount for maintaining a healthy appearance, but they are essential when it comes to healthy functioning skin. So, if you want to have skin that not only looks great but is incredibly healthy, these minuscule marvels are a must!
What are the benefits of ceramides?
Any skincare products that have ceramides in them (so long as they are high-quality and well-formulated), will be able to help your skin in a number of ways. The main benefit is increasing skin hydration and reinforcing its barrier, thus giving your skin a much plumper and smoother aesthetic. In addition, it can even help with making visible lines and wrinkles less prominent, as well as there being fewer signs of skin sensitivity. All in all, ceramides improve and reinforce the skin!
Do ceramides help with skin disorders?
Are ceramides good for helping to combat skin disorders? Studies indicate that any moisturisers that contain ceramides have been clinically proven to have the capacity to support the management of skin conditions. These conditions include (but are not limited to):
- Atopic dermatitis
- Ichthyosis
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- And skin damaged by surfactants.
Ceramides help combat such skin conditions by decreasing their severity and recurrence, whilst enhancing the overall perception of skin health and quality.
Do ceramides help with acne?
Ceramides have indeed been known to help with acne. This is because they are instrumental in the skin’s barrier function. As such, topical ceramides may be able to help improve skin barrier function in those who have acne-affected skin.
What foods are high in ceramides?
As ceramides are naturally occurring, they can be found in many different food sources. However, they are mostly found in plants. These are referred to as phyto-ceramides. The easiest way to get these is by purchasing ceramide supplements that are derived from wheat, beet, and rice. There is research that demonstrated that orally ingesting ceramide supplements can indeed improve your skin hydration levels, which is an essential function for excellent skin health.
While getting ceramides from food is easy due to their abundance, you may not get as much as is necessary to rejuvenate aging skin, for example. As such, supplements may be required, however, that doesn’t negate the fact that a healthy and balanced diet is excellent for your skin, and indeed your health in general.
Some of the best foods for ceramides include:
- Soybeans
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Wheat germ
- Spinach
These foods contain sphingolipids which help the skin produce more ceramides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ceramides are an essential part of your skin-care routine. Not only do they make up 50% of the skin itself, but maintaining that balance can help to keep your skin looking healthy and feeling less sensitive.
If you are struggling with a skin condition, such as acne or psoriasis, it may be worth seeking out ceramides in addition to any other prescribed treatment by your healthcare provider or a professional skincare clinic (for more information, click https://labskinclinic.com.au/facial-treatments/)
Of course, this is something that you should always consult an expert before pursuing.
We hope that this article has been helpful to you and wish you the best of luck in your journey toward a healthier, smoother-looking complexion.