What are Ceramides and What Can They Do For You

Ceramides are a type of lipids that basically hold your skin together. They make up over 50% of the skin’s composition and are mostly found on the uppermost layers. To keep it short, they are like the mortar between the bricks, if the cells that make up your skin are the bricks. Here’s what they do:

• Binding Cells Together – The first line of protection your skin has against environmental damage is called the moisture barrier. This barrier is held together and strengthened by ceramides. Without this barrier, your skin would be prone to infections, inflammation and other damage caused by pollution.
• Anti-Inflammation – Ceramides do soothe the inflammation in your skin by adding more balance to your skin’s chemical composition, and reinforcing the barrier for protection. Studies show that people who are prone to eczema or acne have reduced levels of ceramides. So keep this in mind when you have eczema flare-ups or have regular acne breakouts – add ceramide-rich products to your skincare routine.
• Good Anti-Aging Supplement – A moisturized skin ages slower than dry skin. A moisturized skin is also protected skin, keeping out harmful environmental factors from causing damage. Ceramides also help with lipid production, keeping your skin a lot more hydrated, making it plump and allowing for fewer wrinkles to form.

If you find your skin looking dull or dry, or if you notice that you’ve been breaking out in acne a lot more, you should consult your dermatologist for products that contain ceramides.