Your skin needs to be shielded against germs, pollutants, and foreign particles; ceramides are those fatty acids forming up to 30%-40% of the outer skin that act as a barrier and prevent the entry of germs. Ceramides are the key component for healthy youthful skin. Belonging to a family of fats or lipids, they act as a barrier to protect the skin, preventing it from infection, dullness, or dryness. Ceramides can be natural, i.e. found in the outer layers of the skin, at the same time synthetic ceramides are also present, mostly in the form of moisturisers, toners, or serums.
Benefits Of Ceramides For Your Skin
Ceramides play a crucial role in acting as your skin's natural barrier, serving as the body's first line of defense against external pollutants and toxins. They offer many benefits for the skin:
1. Keep The Skin Healthy
Acne, psoriasis, or eczema skin conditions can all be attributed to low ceramides levels in the skin. Weather changes, exposure to heat, aging etc. can adversely impact the levels of ceramides in the skin, thereby leading to dry skin. They are quite literally the glue that holds your skin cells together to keep the skin intact and healthy.
2. Seal In Moisture
Ceramides provide a healthy skin barrier that locks in moisture and locks out harmful substances. They also prevent trans epidermal water loss, retaining adequate water levels in the skin to further prevent skin dryness and irritation.
3. Act As An Anti-Aging Supplement
No one likes fine lines and wrinkles, especially in this weather, when the skin is particularly dry, these lines and wrinkles are often more noticeable. Often with age, the naturally producing ceramide content starts depleting, leaving the skin dehydrated and prone to irritation and dryness. Ceramides provide an anti-aging remedy, which when used can help lower the lines and make the skin look radiant and young always.
4. Protect And Soften The Skin
Ceramides promote younger-looking skin, by protecting the skin from harsh environmental conditions and pollutants. Among the multiple benefits, it also helps restore the lost lipids that help increase skin hydration and leaves the skin soft, smooth and moisturised.
How To Use Ceramides For Skincare
Using as a moisturiser, it works well when applied post a shower, or before going to bed. For best results, it can also be applied twice, depending on the product being used. As ceramide levels decrease over time, with age and other external factors, choosing products with anti-inflammatory properties can improve the absorption of ceramides in the skin, and shield it against dryness, irritation, or dullness.
Apart from keeping the skin hydrated, choosing the right cosmetic i.e. moisturiser, toner or serum is also important. Based on the skin type, applying the right product is essential because they act as a supplement to the skin's natural ceramide production, to lock the essential moisture, leaving the skin soft, healthy, and glowing.
Ceramides act as a potential barrier against toxins and other harmful externalities. They play an important part when included in the daily body care routine for younger-looking radiant skin. Healthy eating including eggs, brown rice, wheat etc. are also contributors to the skin's ability to produce the desired ceramides, thereby maximizing moisture content and hydration for younger-looking skin.