We've compiled the research-backed answers to your most pressing ceramide-related queries below:
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are lipids (fats) that are naturally found in high concentrations in the upper layers of skin. They make up more than half of the skin's makeup, so it's no wonder that they have a big say in how your skin looks (and how it responds to environmental threats).
What are ceramides and what do they do?
Consider ceramides to be the mortar that holds your skin cells together. Ceramides keep skin together by generating a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss and protects the skin from visible damage caused by pollution and other environmental stresses. Ceramides are also one of the anti-aging "powerhouses" responsible for sustaining skin's dynamic character, even more than retinol, niacinamide, and peptides. Phytosphingosine and sphingolipids, two ceramide precursors, really assist skin in producing more ceramides.
Why do I need ceramides in my beauty products if my skin already contains them?
The efficiency of your skin's natural ceramides is reduced with age and sun damage, and they can eventually be depleted, weakening your skin's barrier. Drier, rougher skin, wrinkles, inflammation, redness, and apparent symptoms of dehydration are the end outcomes. This is where having a good understanding of skin care comes in handy, because it is possible to recover what has been lost.