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Ceramides. Ah, awesome ceramides. Those beautiful fatty acids that keep our skin moist and well-protected. It’s one of our all time favourite ingredients to keep our skin lovingly plumped up, bouncy and healthy. Find out how ceramides help in keeping our skin barrier well protected, but not only that; find out how they can actually fix a compromised skin barrier. Furthermore, find 9 awesome ceramide rich creams that are beautifully formulated and a joy to use.
What are Ceramides?
Ceramides are found in the stratum corneum and along with other lipids, they serve to protect the skin’s barrier. Our skin naturally produces ceramides; however, our ceramide levels significant slow down as we age. (S. Nafisi, H.I. Maibach, in Cosmetic Science and Technology, 2017). For this reason, including a ceramide in your beauty routine is always a good idea, no matter what age you are.
An interesting fact, ceramides on their own are not moisturising. Ceramides are lipid molecules and are typically added to moisturising agents to produce beautiful, hydrating, slippy creams.
Ceramides are non-comedogenic ingredients, which means they won’t clog your pores. However, they are often formulated with heavy, moisturising ingredients or silicones in order to help with dry skin. So keep that in mind if you are acne prone.
They are involved in regulating transepidermal water loss through skin. Futhermore, they can help soothe skin with rosacea, eczema or psoriasis.
Causes of Broken Skin Barriers
Has your skin ever felt tight, dry or itchy? Does it look red, or have dry, flakey patches? Have you repeatedly overused acids? Experienced a harsh sunburn, or windburn? Gone for laser treatments? Overused retinoids or used retinoids that were much too strong for you? Do you have dehydrated skin?
All these instances can contribute to a broken skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier is crying for help. With a weaken skin barrier, your skin is prone to infection, susceptible to harmful irritants like pollution and you can get significant moisture loss.
If your skin barrier is compromised, fret not. With the use of ceramide rich products you can soothe your skin and help to heal it.
How can Ceramides heal a broken skin barrier?
Firstly, if its product related, it goes without saying to stop using that specific product immediately. A big culprit these days is the overuse of acids. More and more companies are creating products with obscenely high acid percentages. This is because the consumer believes the higher percentage is more effective. This is misleading. Too high of an acid percentage can actually severely harm your skin barrier. Equally, using acids too frequently, as in, daily can also break your skin barrier.
Next, after you have stopped using the offending product, you can now reach for your ceramide rich cream. Solely use the ceramide rich cream for the next 2 to 3 days, morning and night. No other products. Because, this is where ceramides really shine. Ceramides penetrate the stratum corneum and help to restore the broken lipid bonds. They help soothe parched skin. They will help to lock in moisture again, making skin feel plump and glowy again. And they will help to restore your barrier so that it keeps skin well protected.
What to look for in the ingredients list to see if Ceramides are present?
Typically, you would see the word ‘ceramide‘ listed in the ingredient list. The higher the ingredient is on the list, the higher the concentrations of that particular ingredient.
These are some of the ingredients to look for that confirm the presence of ceramides:
- Ceramide 1, also called ceramide EOS
- Ceramide 2, also called ceramide NS or NG
- Ceramide 3, also called ceramide NP
- Ceramide 6-II, also called ceramide AP
- Ceramide 9, also called ceramide EOP
- Phytosphingosine
- Sphingosine
Recommended Skincare Products High in Ceramides
These are all our time favourite, tried and tested ceramide rich skincare products.
Dr.Jart+
CERAMIDIN CREAM
US: $48 for 1.69oz BUY HERE
UK: £30 for 50ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide AS, Ceramide NS, Ceramide EOP.
A fantastic everyday face cream with a staggering 5 Ceramides inside to lock in moisture, strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and prevent water loss. We have written about Dr.Jart+ many times before and will always be devout users. It is highly recommended!
COSRX
COMFORT CERAMIDE CREAM
US: $26 for 2.82oz BUY HERE
UK: £30 for 80ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP
A lightweight yet rich moisturiser for sensitised skin. It calms, soothes, and strengthens your skin without a cloggy oily feeling. Ceramide NP strengthens the broken skin barrier and regenerates the sensitised, damaged skin so that your skin will feel comfortable and healthy from the inside to the surface.
Skinfix
BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID-PEPTIDE CREAM
UK: £71 for 50ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
The cream is deeply hydrating and nourishing, formulated with 4 clinical actives. Clinically proven to help replenish and restore depleted lipids, for smoother, more radiant and elastic skin. Furthermore, nutripeptides support skin barrier health and lily root helps lock hydration into the skin. Tested and recommended by dermatologists, and it’s noncomedogenic.
LA ROCHE-POSAY
TOLERIANE DOUBLE REPAIR FACE MOISTURISER
US: $20 for 1.7oz BUY HERE
UK: £40 for 50ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP
Double action helps repair skin’s natural protective barrier after 1-hour and provide up to 48-hour hydration. Its lightweight cream texture easily absorbs into the skin to provide immediate comfort. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive. This face moisturiSer helps restore healthy-looking skin.
SkinCeuticals
TRIPLE LIPID RESTORE 2:4:2
US: $136 for 1.6oz BUY HERE
UK: £135 for 48ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, CERAMIDE EOP
An anti-aging cream that contains the optimal and patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids, which is proven to nourish skin and correct signs of aging. Helps restore skin’s external barrier and support natural self-repair, while potently nourishing aging skin for improvement in the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance.
Paula’s Choice
CLINICAL CERAMIDE-ENRICHED FIRMING MOISTURISER
US: $45 for 1.7oz BUY HERE
UK: £56 for 50ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide EOS
This advanced night cream delivers a cocktail of powerful ingredients to fight the signs of ageing. Contains hydrating ceramides which reduce fine lines and wrinkles; retinol improves firmness and vitamin C restores radiance. Most importantly, these ingredients are vital in rebuilding skin’s natural barrier, for healthier, younger-looking skin.
ILLIYOON
CERAMIDE ATO CONCENTRATE CREAM
US: $14 for 6.76oz BUY HERE
UK: £18 for 200ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP
This cream offers deep hydrating and soothing effects for the face and body with patented Ceramide Skin Complex. Additionally, it’s refreshing and quickly absorbed. Furthermore, the generous size and affordable price makes it an excellent product!
EltaMD
BARRIER RENEWAL COMPLEX
US: $56 for 1.7oz BUY HERE
UK: £80 for 48ml BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOS, Ceramide NS, Ceramide EOP, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP
Clinically proven to moisturise and improve dry, compromised skin after a single application within 24 hours. This advanced formula works to visibly minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while significantly improving skin texture, tone and pore size. A selected blend of ceramides and other essential lipids helps strengthen the barrier and restore its natural hydration system.
Sunday Riley
ICE CERAMIDE MOISTURISING CREAM
US: $65 for 1.7oz BUY HERE
UK: £60 for 50g BUY HERE
Ceramides inside: Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
Ceramide-enriched moisturiser replenishes the skin with lasting hydration and strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors responsible for premature aging. As a result, skin stays smooth, balanced and ageless-looking throughout the day.
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