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Ceramides

2 products

Ceramides are lipids that make up a large share of the mortar between the cells of your outer skin layer, alongside cholesterol and fatty acids. That mixture is what keeps water in and irritants out. Ceramide levels drop with age, in cold dry weather, and in conditions such as eczema, which is where visible dryness, tightness and sensitivity come from.The research is strong by cosmetic standards. Topical ceramides have been shown to reduce transepidermal water loss and improve barrier function, and formulas that combine ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in a physiological ratio perform better in studies than ceramides alone. Korean brands are unusually good at this category, and several build their ceramides into liposomes to keep them stable and evenly delivered.Brands describe ceramide creams as repairing or rebuilding the barrier. The direction is right, but a cream supplies material and comfort while your skin does the rebuilding; the useful measure is whether tightness, flaking and stinging ease over a few weeks.Ceramides suit dry, mature, eczema-prone and sensitized skin, and anyone whose barrier has been worn down by acids, retinoids or a harsh winter. Oily skin can use them too, in a gel or lotion format rather than a heavy cream. There is little reason to skip them, though a very rich ceramide cream may feel like too much on skin that is already oily and humid-climate based.They pair with everything and are especially useful as the last step over a retinoid or acid night. Ceramides plus panthenol, centella or niacinamide is the standard barrier-recovery combination.Two options: the dermatology-adjacent Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream and the lighter Purito SEOUL Luminous Ceramide Moisturizer.