Ceramides 101

By Jae Curtis

Sometimes it feels like there’s a new “holy grail” skincare product on the market every week. Our philosophy? Skip the flashy logos and branding and head straight for the ingredient list. If your goal is more youthful, resilient skin, ceramides should definitely be on the label. For years, ceramides have been an integral part of experts’ skincare routine, but they’re only now getting the buzz they deserve. Get to know more about ceramides, why you need them, and how to incorporate them into your routine so you can make a beeline to the good stuff.

What Are Ceramides?

Excuse us while we focus on the facts for a minute: Scientifically speaking, ceramides are essential lipids that are a main structural component of your stratum corneum, or outermost layer of skin. They contribute to your skin’s permeability; when your skin is less permeable, it’s better able to protect against free radicals and moisture loss.

Unfortunately, as with all your skin’s natural protection and regeneration, the body’s production of ceramides decreases with age and with outside factors like harsh, cold weather. The good news? You can supplement your body’s ceramide production to give it a boost and help better protect your skin from the damages of weather, environment, and age.

It’s impossible to talk about ceramides without first explaining your skin’s moisture barrier. Ceramides contribute to reinforcing the layer of hydration your body naturally produces to protect your skin from its environment. Your skin’s moisture barrier can be upset or knocked out of balance by everything from poor-quality products to dryness and, you guessed it, age.

How to Care for Your Moisture Barrier

Supporting your skin’s moisture barrier is the first and most important function of adding ceramides to your skincare routine. Not sure if your skin’s moisture barrier has been damaged? Here are some of the most common signs:

• Dry, flaky skin
• Sensitive skin that reacts negatively to products or your environment
• Skin that looks dull or rough
• Constant breakouts
• Itchy skin
• Skin that is prone to rashes

Sound familiar? These concerns could be a sign that your skin’s moisture barrier (its best defense) has been compromised, likely as a result of harsh products, poor environmental conditions, age, or a combination of all three.

Ceramides are an integral part of nourishing your skin’s moisture barrier. By adding them into your skincare routine, you help rebuild those weak spots in your skin’s defense, reducing permeability, and keeping hydration where it needs to be.

How Can I Get More Ceramides?

Remember, ceramides help you defend against free radicals while trapping in healthy hydration. A cleanser containing ceramides can help attract moisture to your skin, while a ceramide moisturizer supports your barrier and keeps your skin feeling bouncy, smooth, and healthy.

Ceramides are also unique because you can consume them as well as use them topically for a double dose of what you really need to see improvements. You can find ceramides naturally in seeds and grains or use a supplement like Skin Restore. It delivers plant-based ceramides, collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and specialized antioxidants for a formula that works from within to help protect against skin breakdown, fight free radicals and sun damage, and improve skin barrier function.*

However you add ceramides to your skincare routine, they’re proven to help offer better protection and true holy grail status in your quest for healthier, younger-looking skin.