Ceramides occur naturally in your skin and are one of nine lipids that are present in the epidermis, the uppermost layers of the skin. Lipids include fats, waxes, oils, some vitamins, and hormones. Ceramides comprise 30% to 40% of the total lipids in the skin and are critical to maintaining a healthy skin barrier and well moisturized skin.
Ceramides are part of a subgroup of lipids known as sphingosines. Ceramides act as a lipid mortar between skin cells and help to seal in moisture in conjunction with the skin cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
Ceramides are incredibly important to healthy skin as they are part of your skin’s natural barrier. The skin’s natural barrier includes a variety of oils, fatty acids, amino acids and cholesterol. This barrier helps to protect the skin from damage, bacteria, and allergens as well as reducing transepidermal water loss.
Transepidermal water loss or TEWL refers to the process where water is naturally lost to the atmosphere from the skin. TEWL most often occurs in dry skin types, aging skin or skin that has been damaged or compromised.
As a part of the skin’s natural barrier, ceramides help to prevent the epidermis, or the top layer of the skin, from losing moisture. When people experience dry skin, it is often because of a loss of ceramides in the skin, which can result in flaking, peeling, and scaling.
Using ceramides skincare products may help replace lipids that have been lost due to chronic dryness, environmental factors, aging, and skin damage caused by certain skin conditions.
Ceramides And Dehydrated Skin
Studies have indicated that when you are in your 30s you are likely to have lost 40% of your skin’s naturally occurring ceramides and this increases to 60% in your 40s. This is the reason why many experience an increase in dryness of their skin during their 30s and 40s. A reduction in the number of naturally-produced ceramides can reduce the ability of the skin to retain water and maintain healthy barrier functioning.
Ceramides And Damaged/Compromised Skin
Damaged or Compromised skin is generally due to the damage to the skin’s natural barrier from the natural loss of ceramides, but may also be exacerbated by exfoliating too much, using too many active skin care ingredients, excessive sun exposure and sensitivity or some skin conditions such as eczema. The damage to the skin’s natural barrier can make the skin extra sensitive and dry.
Ceramides And Dry Skin
Dry skin can come in many forms and have many different causes. Ceramides may help to support dry skin and prevent further water loss and damage.
Effect Of Ceramides In Skin
Many studies have shown that people who suffer from eczema, which causes redness, peeling, and flaking of the skin, and those who suffer from psoriasis, which presents with dry, itchy, thick scales on the skin, have a significant reduction of ceramides in their skin.
Restores The Skin’s Natural Barrier
A reduction in naturally-produced ceramides may impact the functioning of the skin’s natural barrier and its ability to protect the skin and keep the skin hydrated. Using ceramide products may help to support the health of the skin’s natural barrier, improving moisture, resilience and preventing flakiness.
Moisture
Ceramides help to support the skin barrier’s health. When the skin has a healthy skin barrier it helps to keep the skin hydrated and prevent water loss. Water loss or transepidermal water loss is the main cause of dry or dehydrated skin. It can leave the skin feeling lacklustre and dehydrated.
Inflammation
Inflammation is often associated with skin conditions that are linked with transepidermal water loss. Conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea can increase the inflammatory reaction in the skin. Studies have suggested that reducing dryness in the skin and supporting the skin’s natural barrier, may help to soothe angry or irritated skin.