Ceramides for Skin: Essential Barrier Support

Ceramides… they’re probably something you’ve heard are good for your skin and may have noticed them appearing in skincare products. You might find yourself asking: how do they work? What are ceramides? Who are they for? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the skincare hero that’s on everyone’s lips… and faces!

What are ceramides?

Let’s start with the basics and get to grips with what ceramides are. Well, they’re a type of fatty acid, called a lipid, and they already exist naturally in the top layer your skin. In fact, ceramides make up nearly 50% of your skin’s composition – so, you’ve actually had them your whole life!

There are 12 types of ceramides, but only three essential ones: Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2 and Ceramide 6-11, which are found naturally in the skin and are usually the types we find in our skincare.

Think of ceramides as the glue that holds your skin cells together and helps to make our skin ‘waterproof’. They help keep moisture in and harmful irritants out… sounds important, right? Without ceramides, our bodies would be a lot more vulnerable to moisture loss and irritation from environmental stressors. So, while they might not be as celebrated or in the spotlight like retinal or glycolic acid, they’re just as important!

Benefits of ceramides for your skin

Ceramides play a super important role in both your skin’s health and its overall appearance; being the ‘glue’ that holds our skin together makes them an essential part in repairing and maintaining our skin barrier and keeping our skin cells healthy. An impaired skin barrier can lead to a whole host of problems, including:

Acne
Irritation
Sensitivity
Exacerbate existing skin conditions like eczema and rosacea

Our body makes its own ceramides, however the quantity decreases due to the natural ageing process, sun damage, seasonal weather changes (think cold winter air or dry air from central heating) and harsh skincare ingredients.

The benefits of ceramides for the skin are all-encompassing and they’re the key to keeping your skin looking and feeling great. Want to know how ceramides help the skin barrier or help with moisture levels? Read on to understand the main benefits of ceramides…

Helping to improve and maintain a balanced skin barrier

Ceramides are the lipids that make up a large amount of our outermost skin barrier – and we really need them! They play a key role in our skin’s first line of defence against external bacteria, fungi and environmental aggressors.

Protecting the skin from environmental damage

Having a sturdy natural skin barrier also sets us up for great protection against environmental damage, external stressors and toxins like bacteria and fungi, which can be harmful if they get into the skin.

Helping to seal in moisture

Ceramides help to seal moisture within the skin, which helps keep dryness and irritation at bay, so we can maintain smooth, supple, moisturised skin. This also ties into the anti-ageing benefits of ceramides; fine lines, texture and dull skin can be exacerbated by skin that lacks moisture, so having skin that is well-moisturised and supple via ceramides can help you to maintain a youthful-looking appearance.

Why ceramides are trending in skincare

Now that you know what ceramides are, how they work and their benefits (smoothing, firming, hydrating, strengthening, soothing, plumping and moisturising) – it’s hard to understand why they wouldn’t be trending in the skincare world. With their incredible science-backed ability to support and repair the skin, no matter your skin type, it’s something that everyone can get on board with.

Not to mention that they’re pretty accessible, too – the ceramide-enriched Derm Solutions™ Comforting Cream Cleanser is under £15!

How ceramides work in skincare products

If you’re a regular skincare user with a thorough routine, chances are you might already be using ceramides in your morning and evening routines. This skin hero is often present in moisturisers, creams, toners and serums that focus on moisturisation and barrier repair. Ceramides in skincare work by replenishing the lipids that your skin loses, both throughout the day and over time.

Some products are overtly labelled as containing ceramides but it’s also useful to look for ‘phospholipids’ and ‘sphingosine/sphingolipids’ on the ingredients list as these are the scientific names for ceramides, too.

All skin types (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, irritated) can benefit from ceramides in skincare – they’re such an all-rounder! Mature skin can especially benefit from ceramides; as we age, our skin loses firmness and begins to thin as it loses collagen and ceramides. Sound familiar? The No7 Restore & Renew range is formulated with a unique skin fortifying blend of ceramides, amino acids and calcium to help revitalise the skin and lift your confidence.

How to use ceramides in your skincare routine

Because ceramides are a naturally occurring lipid, they’re safe to use multiple times, daily. The No 7 Derm Solutions™ range of ceramide-enriched moisturisers and cleansers are gentle enough for everyday use, morning and night. Start your skincare routine with the Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser Suitable for Sensitive Skin or the Derm Solutions™ Comforting Cream Cleanser Suitable for Dry & Sensitive Skin to gently cleanse away impurities and make up while maintaining your moisture barrier.

Once cleansed, go in with your regular toners, essences and even a ceramide serum before locking in all that goodness with a final layer of ceramide cream or ceramide moisturiser. The Derm Solutions™ Lightweight Hydrating Lotion Suitable for Oily, Blemish-Prone Skin is powered by our Adaptopro Complex™ – a blend of ceramides, niacinamide and adaptogens – making it a great option for skin that often breaks out. If you’re on the sensitive side, opt for the deeply hydrating and soothing 100-Hour Hydration Cream Suitable for Dry & Sensitive Skin.

FAQs about ceramides

Which skin types should use ceramides?

Ceramides are beneficial for all skin types, thanks to their natural occurrence in the skin and their moisture-sealing, skin barrier-strengthening and protecting benefits. They can be especially helpful for those with dull, dry, sensitive and easily-irritated skin as the fatty acids support an impaired skin barrier and maintain a healthy one.

Can I combine ceramides with my other skincare ingredients, like exfoliants?

Yes! Ceramides are a great addition to your skincare routine, because they pair well with so many ingredients. Sweeping away dead skin cells (which dull the skin, clog pores and cause breakouts) with an AHA exfoliator before applying your ceramide-infused products can improve ceramide absorption into the skin, so it’s win win! If you find retinol tough to tolerate, you can combine it with ceramides to build your barrier while benefitting from retinol’s anti-ageing effects, too!

Are ceramides better than hyaluronic acid?

While both of these commonly used ingredients can make the skin appear smoother and plumper, they have slightly different functions – which means you can use both in the same routine for even better results! Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that allows the skin to retain water for that supple, plump and hydrated effect. Ceramides, on the other hand, help your skin feel plump and smooth by strengthening your skin’s structure and preventing water loss.

Conclusion

And there you have it! Who’d have thought that something so simple – and affordable – could have so many benefits, work for virtually every skin type and be gentle enough to use every day? The effectiveness of a ceramide routine proves that you don’t always need the fanciest or the most complex ingredients to have youthful-looking, plump and smooth skin!

Now you know everything about ceramides for skin, if you’re interested in learning some more about skincare ingredients you should be looking to incorporate into your routine, check out our 101 on the benefits of peptides or take a deep dive into what collagen can do for your skin and how to boost it in your own skin.