winter months, compared with the spring and summer. Exposure to strong soaps, exfoliants and harsh chemicals in the environment also reduces the level of ceramides in skin.
How Ceramide Skin Care Products Work
Ceramide skin care products help relieve everyday dryness, as well as dry skin caused by conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. They work differently than typical moisturizers, which simply add moisture to the skin.
Instead, ceramides creams are designed to mimic the skin’s built-in moisturizing systems and repair the natural barrier to retain more moisture in the skin.
Ceramide cream has been found to increase skin hydration and reduced water loss, with the effects lasting for a full 24 hours after application. One 28-day study of a ceramide cleanser used in conjunction with a cream containing salicylic acid resulted in visible improvements in dry skin.
Creams containing a blend of ceramides and other fatty acids can help improve skin dryness that result from psoriasis. For instance, one study found that combining linolenic acid-ceramide cream with a common psoriasis medication improved symptoms such as itching and water loss better compared to the psoriasis drug alone.
Ceramides are also available as an oral supplement. Derived from plants such as wheat, sweet potatoes and rice, phyto-ceramides are similar to the ceramides found in human skin. One study found that a wheat-based ceramide supplement was able to significantly and visually moisturize dry skin, as well as improve other related skin damage.
Phyto-ceramide supplements have also been promoted for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by plumping up the skin. However, little research has been conducted to support this claim.
Are Ceramide Products Safe?
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (CIR) determined that ceramides were safe in skin care products. In addition, ceramide creams have not been linked to any serious side effects. The creams can even be applied on sensitive areas of skin, such as under the eyes.
One reason why ceramides are such a safe product is that they are produced by the body naturally; any topical application is merely supplementing a lack of ceramides that should already be present in the skin.
It is important to note, however, that the added ingredients in combination creams may cause side effects unrelated to ceramides.
Tips for Using Ceramides in Your Skin Care Routine
Ceramides are available in creams, lotions and cleansers. For optimal moisturization, choose a ceramide cream, as creams are often formulated with other lipids specifically to retain moisture.
Look for products that are fragrance-free, and therefore less likely to cause irritation. The first time you use a cream with ceramides, perform a spot test to determine if you have any reaction, such as redness or irritation.
Apply ceramide cream as the final step in your skin care regimen before bed, or after showering to lock-in moisture. Alternatively, if you are using a ceramide serum, it should be applied as the first step after cleansing to ensure proper absorption.
While you can use multiple ceramide products in a skin care routine, using a formulation containing just one single ceramide has been found to be more effective than a product containing more than one.
Ceramides have emollient properties, which means they are already formulated to moisturize the skin. For particularly dry skin however, consider using ceramide products that include other moisturizing properties such as humectants and occlusives.
Humectants, such as glycerol, increase water content in the uppermost layer of the skin by drawing water from the environment and from deeper layers within the skin. Occlusives, such as lanolin, prevent the skin from losing the water it has already absorbed.
How do you store ceramides?
The best way to store ceramides is in an airtight bottle to protect the cream from the air and possible contaminants. When buying a ceramide product, look for one in an opaque bottle with a pump dispenser to protect the contents from light and air.
How to Prevent Loss of