Ceramides

Before reading on, remember that it’s not because you discovered a new ingredient, that you absolutely need it in your routine! These posts are meant to guide you when reading labels (but it is true that ceramides are fabulous)

Ceramides represent a large percentage of the skin’s composition and help form the skin’s barrier. When you’re young, your skin produces a lot of it, but as you age, their quantity and quality decline, leaving your skin barrier more prone to environmental threats such as pollution and irritants

So what does it do? Typically found in moisturisers, ceramides help strengthen and hydrate your skin barrier, which in turn leads to smoother skin, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and less irritation. They also pair very well with niacinamide, glycerin, peptides, linoleic acid, and hyaluronic acid!

It’s two main properties: hydrate + educate your skin to repair itself. Ceramides can be derived from plants (‘natural’), but they are only able to hydrate the skin, whereas synthetic ceramides can do both (and they are more stable)

If you’re going to buy a product with ceramides, make sure it is packaged in an opaque bottle/tube with an airtight pump - light and air can reduce its effectiveness over time!