If you are a skincare enthusiast who prefers to research before investing, you probably have heard about ceramides. These building blocks for your skin are essential to maintain skin elasticity and overall health. With age, the ceramide production ability of the skin is reduced and you require topical products to fulfill the void.

Here we have provided all details about ceramides and how they work. With all this information, it will be much easier to find a suitable product that fulfills your skin’s requirements. So let’s take a deep dive into Ceramides, an ingredient that is a sure way to solve all skin-related issues and make way for plump, radiant skin always.

What are Ceramides?

The first thing to know is what ceramides are. Ceramides belong to a complex lipid family called sphingolipids. It forms the building blocks for our skin to maintain its elasticity and radiance. Ceramides are naturally derived by the skin but with age, the capacity diminishes. As a result, the skin loses its radiance and elasticity.

They can be produced synthetically as well and through skincare products, we can replenish the requirements. Especially in our 30s and 40s, we lose a lot of ceramides which can only be restored through supplements and skincare. However, with today’s environmental aggressors, it’s pretty much possible to lose ceramides in your 20s! There are different forms of ceramides which can help you increase the restoration procedure, though their functions are more or less the same.

How do Ceramides work?

Ceramides are like a mortar between bricks. In the sense that they are the connection established between the skin cells. It holds the skin together by forming a protective layer. This in turn prevents excessive moisture loss. It also prevents visible damage from pollution and other environmental stresses.

Moreover, the skin’s dynamic nature is supported by the ceramides which make it even more important than any other anti-aging ingredient. It is primarily responsible for making your skin supple and youthful. The ceramides required in our body are produced by phytosphingosine and sphingolipids.

What are the types of Ceramides and their benefits? 

1. Ceramides being the building block for the skin structure, helps to restore the skin texture by restoring the epidermis.
2. It helps to minimize and improve the appearance of the skin pores. This prevents the moisture from seeping out and also keeps the outer surface of the skin hydrated.
3. The natural ceramide levels required to maintain the elasticity of the skin are restored when you provide ample topical replenishment of the ingredient.
4. It helps to keep dry patches or overall dryness of the skin at bay and reveals a smooth and supple skin texture which is so rare to find at a mature age.
5. It has anti-aging properties as ceramides help to retain the skin elasticity and as a result, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines gets delayed.
6. It is effective against any skin bacteria growth. Thus, your skin stays safe from any type of allergic reaction or skin trouble caused by free radicals and other elements.
7. Being a very lightweight ingredient, ceramides prevent clogging of pores and get absorbed by the skin very easily.
8. It is soothing and hence it is suitable for most skin types. It is also suitable for irritated skin and helps to soothe it.
9. If you use exfoliators such as AHA, BHA, or retinoids to improve skin texture, ceramides are going to be your best friend. Since exfoliation increases cell turnover and clears away dead skin cells, ceramides help repair the skin barrier.
10. Ceramides also act as a great makeup base/primer. When you use the Ceramide Supercream under your makeup, it smoothes out the skin texture and makes your makeup last longer too.

Can Ceramides benefit all skin types? How do they do it?

The best thing about ceramides as an ingredient is that they are suitable and work for all skin types. Even sensitive, inflamed, or irritated skin can also use a ceramide infused skincare product since it is one ingredient that is naturally produced by your body. Hence, there is no chance of turning out allergic to it. Here are the different skin types and how ceramides are beneficial for all of them:

• Oily skin

The excess sebum tends to clog the pores in oily skin types. It eventually leads to blackheads and whiteheads. Using a ceramide moisturizer strengthens the protective barrier of the skin and locks the pores, preventing dirt and pollutants from accumulating in them. It also controls the sebum production to some extent and keeps your skin hydrated.

• Dry skin

Ceramide helps to lock moisture and keep the skin hydrated for a longer time. As a result, the moisture does not escape and hence, dry patches or overall dryness of the skin get prevented.

• Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin has trouble using many different ingredients. However, ceramide is mild enough and hence a ceramide-based moisturizer or serum is suitable for skincare routines designed for sensitive skin.

• Acne-prone skin

Acne and similar breakouts are aggravated by the pollutants and free radicals around use. The ceramide cream helps to rebuild the skin structure and strengthen it internally, thus preventing the external factors from affecting the skin and aggravating such conditions.

• Combination skin

As the epidermal layer of the skin is protected against all external factors when you are using a ceramide product, combination skin experiences overall protection that ensures it stays hydrated enough.

• Aging skin

Mature and aging skin is unable to produce as much natural collagen as we need. With the help of topical ceramide application, we can replenish the requirement well. This ensures the skin structure remains intact for a longer time and keeps wrinkles and fine lines at bay.

• Psoriasis

It is believed widely that ceramides’ maintenance and repair function while strengthening the protective barrier of the skin is a valuable contribution to treating psoriasis. It is an epidermal lipid that plays a major role in the stratum corneum function.

• Eczema

Eczema leads to dry, rough and flaky patches of the skin as well as inflammation. Ceramides can rebuild your skin structure and keep it hydrated which in turn neutralizes the signs of eczema to a certain extent.

• Rosacea

The inflammation and stinging and burning sensation caused by active rosacea often prevent users from using any skincare products. But ceramides have a calming effect and can reduce skin irritation to some extent making it suitable for those suffering from this skin condition.

Combining ceramides with other ingredients

We all follow a skincare routine that involves several products starting from a cleanser to serum and moisturizer. A common question among all is what all ingredients work best together and what combinations must be avoided. Many ingredients can cancel the benefits of each other and must not be combined.

In the case of ceramides though, such a problem rarely arises. Ceramides combine well with almost every ingredient used in skincare. Whether you use actives or choose any other form of skincare products, ceramides do not affect their effectiveness at all.

You can especially combine ceramides and retinol. Both are known for effective anti-aging ingredients and hence work well together. When beginning your retinol journey, you must be cautious of the concentration of the formulation. To be on the safer side, it is advisable to use a ceramide enriched moisturizer before as well as after using retinol. This method doesn’t hamper your skin’s barrier.

Sodium Hyaluronate also goes hand-in-hand with ceramide. Many products are formulated combining both these ingredients. This is one reason why the Foxtale Ceramide Supercream and the Daily Duet Face Wash which contains Sodium Hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid, work miracles on all skin types.

Vitamin C which is also an anti-aging product as well as hydrant, pairs well with ceramides too. You can easily use a Vitamin C Face serum and follow it up with the ceramide moisturizer to complete a skincare routine. Our Foxtale C For Yourself Vitamin C serum is a perfect accompaniment for the ceramide moisturizer a result.

How can we incorporate Ceramides into our daily skincare routine?

Ceramides are available for topical application in many forms. From moisturizers to serums, lotions, and gels, the ingredient is witnessed in a variety of products. They are available in eye creams too. However, the best way to include ceramides in your skincare routine is to go for a ceramide-infused moisturizer.

You can keep the skincare routine simple by investing in a high-quality ceramide moisturizer and also keep the number of products minimal. Our Foxtale Ceramide Supercream Moisturizer is a great choice for all age groups. Infused with different types of ceramides namely, ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, and phytosphingosine, it works for all skin types as well. Moreover, it pairs well with actives like retinol which is often a part of the anti-aging skincare routine. The best time to use a ceramide moisturizer is after your serums on damp skin and before you go to bed to lock in the moisture and let it work on your skin for some time.

Closing thoughts

Understanding ceramides will help you to decide on the best product for your skin. It is essential to choose a product that comes from a reputable company and has gained positive feedback. Now that you have a detailed overview of how ceramides help your skin, you can easily find a product ideal for your skin.