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Ceramide: How the Active Ingredient Cares for and Protects Your Skin

CERAMIDE: HOW THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT CARES FOR AND PROTECTS YOUR SKIN

Care products with ceramide are becoming increasingly popular, no wonder - the active ingredient is essential for healthy and well-groomed skin. In our article, you will learn how ceramides work and which skin type particularly benefits from the miracle ingredient.

12 Jun 2024

From BIOTHERM

01 What are ceramides?
02 What ceramides are there?
03 How do ceramides work?
04 Which skin type needs ceramides?

WHAT ARE CERAMIDES?

Ceramides are natural lipid building blocks that protect our skin from moisture loss and bad influences. The fat building blocks are often also referred to as lipids. Along with water, they are an important building block of the uppermost skin layer, the so-called horny layer. This acts as a natural protective barrier, ensuring that no irritants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or pollutants enter the skin.

At the same time, ceramides ensure that the skin's moisture does not dry out and remains supple[1]. In addition, ceramides are often used as an anti-aging ingredient, as they influence cell growth and skin aging.

WHAT CERAMIDES ARE THERE?

Ceramide 1 - EOS
Ceramide 2 - NS
Ceramide 3 - NP
Ceramide 4 - EOH
Ceramide 5 - AS
Ceramide 6 - AP
Ceramide 7 - AH
Ceramide 8 - NH
Ceramide 9 - EOP

Our skin protection barrier contains at least nine different types of ceramides. Although these are similar, they differ in structure. The letters after the number stand for the exact designation, which is also given to creams, for example. Ceramide NP in particular, a highly effective ceramide, is a very popular and frequently used active ingredient in skin care products. This is because this ceramide is most abundant in the horny layer.

Ceramides can be produced either naturally from plants or synthetically. Natural ceramides are often obtained from plants such as wheat or rice. The ceramides contained in skin care products are mainly produced in a complex process in the laboratory. Since they are identical to the skin, this does not pose a problem for the skin. Synthetic ceramides have a stable, moisturizing effect and awaken your youthful complexion.

HOW DO CERAMIDES WORK?

Ceramides are a natural and important component of our skin. Our body constantly forms new ceramides to protect the skin from external influences and a loss of moisture, so that the skin remains firm and radiant.

HOW DO I RECOGNIZE A CERAMIDE DEFICIENCY?

However, if our skin forms too few ceramides, the skin's protective barrier is disturbed and the skin becomes dry, cracked and sallow[2]. The following causes can be the reason for a ceramide deficiency:

Care products are not matched to the skin type
Advancing aging process
Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis
Dry air or changing temperatures
Mental stress such as stress
Unbalanced diet and nutrient deficiency

With age, the skin produces fewer and fewer ceramides. As a result, the skin loses moisture and is more susceptible to harmful external influences, making it more susceptible to wrinkles and further skin damage. For this reason, the right skin care is already essential from the age of 25, so that the skin's protective barrier remains intact.

To avoid a lack of ceramides in the skin, you should also avoid products with harsh surfactants or frequent, aggressive peeling applications, as these dry out the skin. Also, make sure you eat a balanced and healthy diet and avoid stress, as psychological stress can also damage your skin.

WHICH SKIN TYPE NEEDS CERAMIDES?

In general, every skin type needs ceramides, because they are necessary to protect the skin from harmful influences. Our skin naturally forms new ceramides on a regular basis. Nevertheless, it does not hurt to help mature, stressed and dry skin with skin care products that contain ceramides.

CERAMIDE AGAINST WRINKLES AND SKIN AGING

There are many anti-aging active ingredients. Ceramides, however, have proven to be a highly effective anti-aging ingredient and an insider tip for smooth skin in recent years. The reason: the better the skin is supplied with moisture, the less wrinkles and fine lines can form.

Did you already know? Ceramides inhibit the formation of melanin, which is responsible for pigment spots. Signs of aging and uneven pigmentation can be reduced thanks to the active ingredient.

CERAMIDE FOR DRY AND STRESSED SKIN

Creams with ceramides can especially help people whose skin is prone to dryness or skin problems. In this case, moisture can escape more quickly through the top layer of the skin, which is why the skin dries out and the complexion appears sallow. The choice of skin care products can also have an impact on skin hydration. If the skin care products are not adapted to the skin type, the surfactants they contain can dry out the skin.

CERAMIDE FOR SKIN DISEASES

Eczema, psoriasis or rosacea can be the reason for a weakened skin protective barrier. These skin diseases are known to cause the skin to be dry and itchy. A care product containing ceramides can relieve itching by providing the skin with sufficient moisture and ceramides. In this way, the skin's natural protective function can be strengthened. With regular use, ceramide creams can prevent acute flare-ups and rebuild the skin's protective barrier in the long term[3] .

Incidentally, ceramides can also help with acne. A study[4] showed that skin care with contained ceramides improves the skin's appearance and has a positive effect on the skin's protective barrier. Instead of a rich ceramide cream, you should rather use a ceramide serum in case of acne in order not to overprotect your skin.

CERAMIDES IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS: FOR SOOTHED AND REGENERATED SKIN

Ceramide creams like the Cera Repair Barrier Cream protect your skin from environmental influences and premature aging. The formula is based on the contained Life Plankton Complex in combination with our patented bio-ceramides. It prevents moisture loss from the skin, so that the first wrinkles and fine lines are prevented. At the same time, the skin's protective barrier is stabilized and strengthened from the first application, protecting the skin from external influences. Clinical tests confirmed long-term improvement of skin elasticity, smoother skin and strengthening of the skin barrier with regular use.

Tip: Use a regenerating serum, such as Life PlanktonTM Serum, before the Cera Repair face cream with ceramides. The formula with thermal plankton and hyaluronic acid deeply moisturizes your skin and stimulates cell regeneration. In this way, you promote your skin regeneration and additionally strengthen your skin's protective barrier.

CERAMIDE FOR POWERFUL HAIR

Your hair is dull and brittle? Ceramides are an effective ingredient not only for your skin. The layers of the hair are also held together by lipids, the fat building blocks. Ceramides can protect the hair cuticle from drying out and prevent split ends and hair breakage. With regular use, the hair looks silky, smooth and shiny.

Tip: If your scalp tends to be dry, a shampoo with ceramides can stop moisture loss and relieve itching.

ORAL CERAMIDE CAPSULES

Ceramides can not only be applied to the skin in the form of care products, but can also be taken as capsules. The orally ingested ceramides enter the skin cells via the bloodstream, which allows the skin to be moisturized from the inside and the skin structure to be strengthened.

FOODS CONTAINING CERAMIDES

In addition to care products and special ceramide capsules, ceramides are also contained in foods. These include, for example:

Eggs
Soybeans
Spinach
Wheat Germ

Ceramides can therefore be true beauty boosters and have a positive effect on skin health. Learn more about your skin type, your skin needs and the best beauty tips in our skincare magazine.