You’ve probably heard of ceramides, and you’ve probably even seen them mentioned among the selling points of your favorite skincare products. Ceramides are a common ingredient in hydrating, replenishing, and repairing skincare products, but do you actually know what they are, what they do, and how they benefit your skin? Today we’re brushing up on our ceramide knowledge, and learning more about why we should be using this ingredient in our skincare routines. If you have dry or sensitive skin, this should be of interest!
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are lipids that are naturally present in the skin–specifically in its outermost layer, the stratum corneum.
You may remember that the stratum corneum is the outer layer of skin that forms a barrier between the body and the external environment. The structure of the stratum corneum is often compared to “brick and mortar”, with the bricks being keratinocytes, a type of skin cell, and the mortar being intercellular lipids. Among these intercellular lipids is where you’ll find ceramides–which, according to studies, make up approximately 50% of this “mortar”. Together with other intercellular lipids, ceramides play an essential role in preserving the function and integrity of the skin barrier and preventing transepidermal water loss.
And there are multiple types of ceramides, by the way–studies have identified 12 different “classes” of ceramides, which split up into more than 340 individual types.
Studies suggest that altered levels of ceramides in the skin may be associated with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriaris, which goes to show how important these lipids can be to healthy skin function.
What do ceramides do for your skin?
We’ve seen how naturally occurring ceramides play a key role in maintaining a healthy skin barrier function. In recent years, skincare brands have also started to include ceramides in their formulas, with the goal of replenishing the levels of naturally occurring ceramides in the skin and, as a result, improving skin barrier function, preventing transepidermal water loss, and increasing skin hydration.
In general, you can expect ceramides to benefit your skin by:
- Preserving the skin barrier function;
- Protecting the skin against environmental aggressions;
- Preventing transepidermal water loss;
- Increasing skin hydration levels;
- Preventing dryness and irritation.
Ceramides vs other ingredients
If you’re wondering how ceramides compare against some of your favorite skincare ingredients, here’s a cheat sheet:
Ceramides vs peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids–some of which are naturally present in the skin, and some of which are biotech creations. Peptides are often used in skincare products for their anti-aging action, as they help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which in turns helps the skin retain its elasticity and firmness.
Due to their anti-aging benefits, peptides can work well alongside ceramides–for instance, in a skincare routine for dry skin that shows visible signs of aging.
Ceramides vs niacinamide
Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that brings four major benefits to the skin: it helps target signs of aging, it minimizes the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, it soothes and repairs sensitive skin, and it helps manage acne and breakouts.
Based on these benefits, you can see how ceramides and niacinamide can be complementary, especially when it comes to caring for sensitive skin–which often struggles with dryness, irritation, and a disrupted skin barrier.
Ceramides vs hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a large sugar molecule that is naturally present in the skin. It can hold up to 1.000 times its weight in water, making it one of the best hydrating ingredients we’ve ever discovered. In addition to its moisturizing properties, hyaluronic acid is also used in skincare for its “plumping” effect, which helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles associated with dehydration.
In the great showdown between ceramides and hyaluronic acid, there isn’t actually any competition–these are two ingredients with different mechanisms of action that can help you in your quest for healthy, hydrated, and pillowy soft skin.
What are the best skincare products with ceramides?
Best ceramide serums
The Hanskin 7 Layer Ceramide Serum is a popular Korean serum that combines seven different ceramides in a deeply hydrating, soothing, and repairing formula. With a light and refreshing texture, hydrating but never sticky, this serum is a great way to replenish your skin’s hydration levels first thing in your routine.
The Babé Repair 5% Squalane Serum was specially designed to address the needs of sensitive and sensitized skin. You can tell just by looking at the formula: with 5% squalane, 3% Centella asiatica, 3% prebiotics, 2% niacinamide, 1% encapsulated ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to wrap it all up, this product has everything you need to replenish hydration, promote skin regeneration and repair, and strengthen your skin barrier.
Best moisturizers with ceramides
![Sensilis Skin Rescue [Barrier] Repair Cream 50ml](https://static.beautytocare.com/media/catalog/product//s/e/sensilis-skin-rescue-barrier-repair-cream-50ml.png)
Ideal for sensitive skin, the Sensilis Skin Rescue [Barrier] Repair Cream is a silky moisturizer that promotes skin recovery and repair; it is indicated for both temporary situations (say, while recovering from a cosmetic procedure) and prolonged everyday use (for those who suffer from sensitivity, redness, or rosacea). The formula combines five ceramides with four types of hyaluronic acid, prebiotics, and licorice extract, for a deeply hydrating and soothing effect.
Elizabeth Arden may be known for its luxurious ceramide capsules, but that’s not the only way the brand has put ceramides to work. Take the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream, for instance, an anti-aging cream that combines skin-strengthening ceramides, smoothing tetrapeptides, and tightening edelweiss extract in a unique blend that hydrates, replenishes, and rejuvenates the appearance of the skin.
Best Korean moisturizers with ceramides
The Holika Holika Good Cera range is a regular presence whenever we talk about ceramides, and we particularly love the Super Ceramide Cream. With a silky texture that blends into the skin, this moisturizer’s main function is to replenish and restore the skin barrier function, all in order to increase resilience and minimize signs of irritation such as burning, tingling, or redness. If you have dry or sensitive skin, this might just be the perfect moisturizer for you–especially during cold, harsh weather!
Discreet and minimalist, the Benton Ceramide Cream 10000ppm contains five different ceramides that make up 1% of the formula (that’s the 10000ppm in the name, meaning 10000 parts per million). Joining them are hydrating trehalose and panthenol, antioxidant tocopherol, and soothing Cynanchum atratum extract, valuable allies that help this formula strengthen the skin barrier, replenish hydration to the skin, and reduce sensations associated with dryness, sensitivity, or irritation.
Best cleansers with ceramides
When it comes to ceramide-infused cleansers, the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Normal to Dry Skin immediately comes to mind. Formulated with three essential ceramides, along with hyaluronic acid, this product is ideal for the daily cleansing of normal to dry skin–as it offers an effective cleansing sensation without leaving the skin feeling dry, uncomfortable, or “tight”. The hydrating ingredients help maintain the skin barrier function, allowing you to start your skincare routine on the right note.
We also love the coxir Ceramide Micro Derma Cleanser, a Korean cleanser infused with barrier-boosting ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing allantoin. The pH-balanced formula provides a gentle cleansing action while respecting the natural balance of the skin, making it a perfect choice for dry and sensitive skin. And it’s fun to apply too–simply dispense a small amount of product onto your dampened hands, rub them together, and watch the foam bubble up!
As we’ve seen, ceramides are a key ingredient in preserving the skin barrier function, increasing your skin hydration levels, and preventing dryness and irritation. If you have dry or sensitive skin, ceramides may be the element you’re missing in your skincare routine. Combine them with your hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides, and see how your skin fares!
