CERAMIDES

Anyone who suffers from dry skin or brittle hair has surely come across them while searching for the right skincare product. They can also be found in specialized skincare products as an effective anti-aging ingredient. We’re talking about ceramides. They occur naturally in the human body—more specifically, in the skin. There, they exert their nourishing effects and help keep the skin in good condition. They are true all-rounders: they can bind moisture in the skin, strengthen the cell structure, and thus also support the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Ceramides as the “binding agent” in the skin

Ceramides are a subgroup of lipids, or fats. They are an important component of the epidermis, the outermost layer of our skin. More specifically, ceramides are found in the stratum corneum—a part of the epidermis. There, they account for about 60 percent of the fats. Together with dead skin cells, they form a kind of “cementing substance,” which in turn creates a natural barrier. Unwanted intruders such as bacteria or viruses have a much harder time attacking the skin. In addition, this special barrier protects the skin from drying out. Conversely, this means that if the skin lacks sufficient ceramides, it is less able to retain moisture and tends to be dry. The possible result: flaky and cracked areas.

Ceramides – 9 in total

Ceramides are produced in the sebaceous glands and released from there. This helps the stratum corneum maintain its suppleness and protective functions. At least nine different types of ceramides are found in the stratum corneum. To keep track of them, they can be distinguished from one another by different abbreviations:

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

These letter combinations help to identify each ceramide more precisely—they are derived from the specific structure of the individual ceramides. For example, “NP” stands for N-stearoyl-phytosphingosine. By the way, this ceramide—namely Ceramide 3 NP—makes up the largest proportion of ceramides in the skin and is therefore also the most common in cosmetic products.

Anti-aging, hydration, hair care – what can ceramides do in creams and other products?

Ceramides are essential for the skin’s moisture balance and protective barrier. They are a natural component and indispensable for healthy skin. That’s why it can be beneficial to provide our largest organ with additional ceramides—specifically through the use of specialized skincare products. The ceramides they contain help maintain a healthy and balanced skin condition. Since they occur naturally in the skin, all skin types benefit from ceramides. However, dry or sensitive skin in particular benefits from an extra supply of lipids and moisture. Interesting fact: Ceramides are not water-soluble and are therefore used in oil-based creams—so a ceramide product is usually quite rich.

Ceramides for mature skin with specific needs

Ceramides play a crucial role, particularly in the anti-aging segment. Mature skin requires special attention and specific care to ensure that the skin barrier remains adequately protected as we age. This is because, as the skin ages, the body’s natural production of ceramides gradually decreases. It’s no wonder, then, that ceramides are frequently found in skincare products for mature, dry skin. When combined with other ingredients, they can help reduce moisture loss in the skin and thus promote a smoother skin texture. A major benefit: Ceramides inhibit melanogenesis—a natural process responsible for the mostly unwanted age spots. By the way: As early as around age 25, the skin begins to reduce ceramide production. That’s why using anti-aging products—or at least products containing ceramides—can make perfect sense even at a younger age, helping to prevent the formation of those first unwanted fine lines.

And what do ceramides do for your hair?

Hair also benefits from ceramide-containing care products, such as hair treatments. This is because they make hair easier to comb, soft, and supple, while adding shine and volume. Here, too, a so-called “binding substance” comes into play: ceramides mimic the hair’s natural “binding substance.” In damaged areas, they fill in cracks or seal the hair. This not only repairs the hair but also protects it from new damaging influences. But that’s not all: anyone struggling with a dry or flaky scalp is also well advised to use ceramide-containing shampoos, hair masks, or treatments to provide additional support for the scalp.

How to Use Ceramides in Skincare Correctly

There’s no need to worry when using skincare products containing ceramides. There are essentially no side effects. Since these lipids are naturally found in the skin, the skin typically doesn’t react defensively to them. This is good news for people with sensitive or even problematic skin, as they too can benefit from ceramides. Of course, if you want to play it safe, you should always check the full list of ingredients in any new skincare product. Then you can decide on a case-by-case basis how your skin might react to each product.

Skin care products containing ceramides should generally meet one of two criteria: They should either list ceramides as an ingredient—it’s worth taking a closer look at the ingredient list for this—or use our filter function. If the product itself does not contain ceramides, it should contain precursors such as phytosphingosine or sphingosine. These help the body produce ceramides.

Ceramides – Can they also be obtained through diet?

In general, the body is capable of producing ceramides on its own. However, as production declines with age, or if the skin has specific needs or simply requires extra care, supplementing with ceramides can be beneficial. Naturally, this raises the question of whether this could also be achieved through diet. After all, ceramides are indeed found in foods such as eggs, spinach, and soybeans. However, the amount of ceramides absorbed by the body when consuming these foods is so small that it would have no noticeable effect on the skin. Those who still do not want to forego dietary intake can opt for special capsules containing ceramides.

Natural vs. synthetic ceramides – which is better?

Although ceramides are naturally occurring substances, they are often synthetically produced through a complex process for use in skin and hair care products—a process that optimizes their quality and skin compatibility. Synthetic ceramides are stable, moisturize the skin, and help it look younger. Since they are identical to the skin’s own ceramides, they do not cause any irritation. Of course, it is also possible to use plant-based ceramides in skin care products. They are derived from wheat or rice, for example—in which case they are referred to as phytoceramides. One thing to note about ceramides derived from plants is that while they moisturize the skin, they do not have any skin-rejuvenating effects.

Conclusion

Are you looking for products that support your skin (barrier) and provide it with extra care? Discover a wide selection of products containing ceramides in our online shop. We offer a wide range of moisturizers, soothing masks, anti-aging creams, facial cleansers, serums, and many other products containing the valuable ingredient ceramides. Not sure what your skin type is or which products are right for your skin? No problem—before you start your beauty shopping, simply take our free quick skin test. Find out how to best care for your skin and what it really needs. After the skin test, you can filter for suitable ceramide products here. In the filter, you can select all products containing ceramides and include or exclude other active ingredients in your search.

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