You've likely heard of ceramides in skincare, but what do they actually do? In simplistic terms, I like to think of ceramides as the scaffolding that holds our skin cells together. Without them, there would be no skin barrier to protect against external irritants or to keep moisture locked in where it's needed.
Ceramides occur naturally in our skin, but they deplete with age and other factors; meaning it's wise to keep levels topped up via cleansers, moisturisers, serums and the like.
So, given that they are so essential to healthy skin, we should all have a ceramide product in our skincare routine. Luckily, they can be found in all sorts of skincare products, from affordable skincare options to more luxurious buys.
But first, here's your 101 guide to ceramides in skincare.
What Are Ceramides?
Aesthetic doctor, Dr David Jack, explains, "Ceramides make up about 50% of the lipids in the barrier of the skin. They play a structural role in maintaining the skin’s barrier integrity and water-retention capacity. Functionally, they act as the ‘mortar’ between the dead skin cells in this layer, limiting transepidermal water loss and providing protection against irritants, allergens and microbial invasion, as well as serving as ‘food’ for the good skin bacteria."
"Ceramide levels decline with age, UV exposure and with inflammatory/dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, leading to barrier dysfunction and dehydration. Topical ceramide supplementation with skincare helps to restore lipid balance in the skin's outermost layer. This, in turn, enhances moisture retention and barrier repair," continues Dr David.
What Types of Ceramides Are Best?
Dr David explains, "The biological activity of ceramides depends on their molecular subtype and structural similarity to those found in human skin. Ceramide NP (formerly ceramide 3) and ceramide EOS (ceramide 1) are particularly important for maintaining the skin barrier and long-term skin hydration."
He adds, "Synthetic bioidentical ceramides tend to have higher equivalence to the skin’s natural ceramides than plant-derived pseudoceramides."
Who Should Use Ceramides?
Consultant dermatologist, Professor Firas Al-Niaimi assures, "Ceramides are suitable for all skin types. They are naturally found in our skin and are essential components of a healthy skin barrier. Because of this, they work well for everyone, including those with dry, oily or sensitive skin."
What Are the Downsides of Ceramides?
Professor Al-Niaimi explains, "Ceramides are generally very well tolerated and have few downsides. The only limitation is that, on their own, they might not provide complete hydration or barrier repair. For best results, ceramides are often combined with other ingredients such as fatty acids and cholesterol to fully support the skin barrier."
12 Best Ceramide Skincare Products
- Best Ceramide Cleanser: Dr. David Jack Afterglow Ceramide Cleansing Balm
- Best Ceramide Serum: Naturium Barrier Bounce Advanced Skin Hydrator Serum
- Best Ceramide Moisturiser: Then I Met You Renewing Rich Beauty Cream
- Best Ceramide Mask: Anua Rice 70 Glow Collagen Mask
- Best Ceramide Eye Cream: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3
Best Ceramide Cleansers
This glorious cleansing balm feels like silk and is fast and extremely effective at breaking down makeup, SPF, and impurities. It also deeply hydrates and leaves skin comfortable and supple. It has a stellar ingredient line-up, with calming and redness-reducing chamomile; barrier-fortifying ceramides; brightening and exfoliating azelaic acid and fruit enzymes; and nourishing antioxidant vitamin E.
This simple, creamy gel-to-foam cleanser contains ceramides, pre- and post-biotics to support a healthy skin barrier. It nourishes with avocado oil, which also helps break down dirt and makeup, hydrates with hyaluronic acid and soothes with colloidal oatmeal.
Best Ceramide Serums
Naturium is are real winner at creating incredibly effective, clinical skincare at an affordable price. This serum deeply hydrates and plumps with squalane and urea. It also helps to fortify the skin barrier with ceramides and cholesterol, to keep that moisture locked in. Bouncy, dewy skin is yours.
Pros
- Affordable
- Cruelty-free and Vegan
Cons
- Not the best for very oily skin as it does contain added nourishing oils and shea butter.
This light milky lotion instantly "glazes" the skin, making it look healthy and glass-like. It also gives the glass skin look over time by replenishing the skin's moisture barrier with ceramides, cholesterol, glycerin and squalane. It reduces signs of stress and redness with ectoin and refines skin texture with niacinamide for that glass skin-smoothness.
Pros
- Promotes overall healthier looking skin
- A lightweight, thin, milky liquid
Cons
- If you apply morning and evening, you do use it up quickly
Best Ceramide Moisturisers
This rich, buttery moisturiser is a dream to apply, and instantly leaves your skin looking hydrated and glowy. Ceramides fortify the skin barrier, ginseng boosts elasticity and improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and 5% squalane hydrates. My favourite ingredient in it is baobab, as it adds luminosity to the skin, and is packed with barrier-loving omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.
Pros
- One of the best moisturisers out there for dry skin
- Feels so luxurious
Cons
- It's not the most affordable of skincare products
Japanese brand Curel is one of my favourites. All their products are for sensitive skin and focus on strengthening the skin barrier. They all have ceramides as their key ingredient. This cream is also extremely hydrating with glycerin and soothing with eucalyptus extract and allantoin.
Pros
- Lightweight, but intensely powerful
- pH balanced and fragrance free
Cons
- It's no-frills, but that's because they focus on efficacy
It's called a lotion, but it's actually quite a bit thicker than a traditional lotion. It acts brilliantly as a lightweight moisturiser. Ceramide NP supports skin barrier strength, pantenol soothes and glycerin hydrates.
Pros
- Proven to instantly boost moisture levels by +110%
- Boosts moisture for 72 hours
Cons
- Not for extremely sensitive skin as it does have fragrance and alcohol
Best Ceramide Masks
If you're familiar with those viral collagen sheet masks that turn clear after many hours of wear, this is one of those. This version from Anua contains a host of calming, soothing and barrier-supporting ingredients, including rice water, ceramides, niacinamide and allantoin. There's also hydrating and plumping low-molecular collagen and glycerin. Wear overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Pros
- Great for sensitve skin
- Affordable
Cons
- You have to wear for multiple hours for the best results.
Think of this as a rescue mask for parched, stressed skin. This makes it especially good when traveling. You can use it as a daily moisturiser, an overnight treatment or as a flash mask, making it highly versatile. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid hydrate, niacinamide calms and refines skin texture, ceramides fortify the skin barrier and there's antioxidant protection too.
Pros
- Works in just 10 minutes
- No-rinse formula
Cons
- This multi-tasking wonder has no cons
Best Ceramide Eye Creams
This eye serum contains powerful retinaldehyde to target fine lines and wrinkles, and it's perfect for retinal beginners due to its time-release technology and barrier-supporting ceramide complex. It hydrates, soothes and de-puffs too.
Pros
- All the effects of retinal, with none of the irritation
- Lightweight serum texture
Cons
- Not the most affordable option
- Not for extremely sensitive skin
This rich eye cream soothes and protects the delicate under-eye area with calming ectoin and barrier-fortifying lipids. It has copper tripeptides to plump and firm the skin, as well as three types of ceramides.
Pros
- You get a lot of product for your money
- Doesn't feel greasy or heavy
Cons
- Very affordable
Best Ceramide Face Oil
This lightweight face oil plumps skin and replenishes moisture. It contains a host of barrier-loving ingredients, including a 5-ceramide complex and nourishing oils. See your fine lines plumped with hydrating squalane.
Pros
- 98% agree skin feels protected against moisture loss and external aggressors
- Lightweight oil
Cons
- Quite a pricey option, but it lasts ages
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