Ceramides are fatty molecules that help maintain a healthy skin barrier. They are a common ingredient in skin-care products and have gained a lot of interest in the skin care world for their potential skin health benefits. Here are some benefits of ceramides for the skin:
Positive:
- Moisturizing: Ceramides help create a barrier to prevent permeability, which locks moisture into your skin, preventing dryness and irritation.
- Protecting: Ceramides help keep out harmful elements like pollution, toxins, and allergens, making it harder for these elements to penetrate and keeping your skin healthy.
- Boosting barrier function: Ceramides play a role in your skin’s barrier function, which serves as your body’s first line of defense to external pollution and toxins.
- Anti-aging: Ceramides may have anti-aging effects by minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Negative:
- There are no known negative effects of ceramides on the skin.
Ingredients or materials:
- Ceramides may appear as ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, ceramide NG, ceramide NP, ceramide NS, and phytosphingosine, in the ingredients list of over-the-counter products. The label may also list sphingosine, an organic chemical compound involved in making ceramides.
- Ceramides may be paired with other good-for-you ingredients in your skin care products, such as emollients, humectants, and occlusives.
It is worth noting that there are 12 different types of ceramides, often numbered one to 12, or listed on your skin-care products with a certain acronym like “ceramide EOP” or “ceramide NP” . Therefore, it is important to choose the right product that suits your skin type and needs.
