ceramide capsules | Can Acne-Prone Skin Use Ceramide

Ceramide vs Peptide

Ceramides: What Are They?

Ceramides are a form of fat found in the skin's outer layer termed lipids. Ceramides, together with fatty acids and cholesterol, provide a natural protective barrier for the skin against the elements.

They also help to keep the skin hydrated. Ceramides work as a glue underneath the skin's surface, holding the matrix—or structure—together and keeping it firm and supple. Ceramide production, on the other hand, declines with age, contributing to skin thinning and loosening.

Ceramide structure and kinds

The stratum corneum, or the outermost layer of the skin, features bricks and mortar pattern. The skin cells are the bricks, and the lipids are the mortar that ties them together. Ceramides account for around half of the lipids in the stratum corneum.

Ceramides come in three distinct kinds (sphingosine, phytosphingosine, and dihydrosphingosine), and their responsibilities in maintaining the skin's barrier are unclear.

Peptides: What Are They?

Peptides are becoming more popular. They're marketed as an anti-ageing peptide serum, that provides individuals with a lot of bang for their cash — without the aggravation. Peptides, on the other hand, are short sequences of amino acids that make up bigger proteins - the building blocks of our skin.

Peptides stimulate collagen and elastin formation while also modulating neurotransmitter release, reducing wrinkles caused by collagen loss and improving muscular mobility. While some peptides may accelerate the repair of damaged skin cells, suppress skin-ageing processes, and boost collagen formation without the discomfort that topical retinoids can cause (vitamin A).

They also don't cause any water loss from the skin and help to maintain a healthy skin barrier, making them seem too wonderful to be true!

What are ceramides for skin - Ceramides and Their Skin Benefits

Ceramides assist the skin in two ways: they keep it hydrated and they help to reinforce the skin's natural barrier.

Acne and dry skin

Cold temperatures, wind, and chemicals in the environment wick moisture from the skin, causing it to become dry. Ceramides support the skin's natural barrier, reducing water loss via the epidermis. This process moisturises the skin from the inside out.

Ceramides may also be utilised to alleviate acne-prone skin's dryness. A combination skincare programme utilising a gentle cleanser and a ceramide moisturiser was shown to be beneficial in addressing dryness without aggravating acne in one research.

Psoriasis and eczema

Eczema and psoriasis are two skin disorders that cause itchy, dry skin. Both decrease the skin's barrier, resulting in increased sensitivity and irritability, as well as an inability to retain moisture.

Ceramide-rich creams serve to thicken the epidermis and restore the skin's capacity to retain moisture, reducing dryness and irritation and helping in normal sebum production.

What Causes Ceramide Loss in the Skin?

Ceramide depletion may be caused by ageing, certain skin diseases, the use of harsh cleansers or exfoliants, and exposure to environmental toxins.

Age

With ageing, the skin experiences several changes. It thins and loses some elasticity when the generation of ceramides and other lipids slows, and years of continuous UV exposure reduces ceramide levels. The skin's barrier weakens and becomes more sensitive to harm when these lipids are reduced.

Skin problems

Eczema, commonly known as atopic dermatitis, is characterised by dry, itchy skin. Ceramides are less abundant in people with this disorder, and those that are present cover less of the skin's surface area.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which skin cells multiply excessively rapidly, resulting in dry, scaly spots on the skin known as plaques. The skin has fewer ceramides and is less able to hold water in regions covered by psoriasis plaques.

Exposure

The air is drier in the winter than it is in the summer. This dryness has the potential to dehydrate the skin. The level of protecting ceramides in the skin is similarly reduced during the winter.

Another research discovered a 50% decrease in ceramides in the skin of participants' arms throughout the autumn and winter months compared to the spring and summer months. Ceramide levels in the skin are also reduced by exposure to harsh cleansers, exfoliants, and harsh chemicals in the environment.

Ceramide Skin Care Products: How Do They Work?

Ceramide skincare treatments cure dry skin caused by disorders including eczema and psoriasis, as well as ordinary dryness. They vary from traditional moisturisers in that they do more than just give moisture to the skin.

Ceramide creams, on the other hand, are meant to replicate the skin's natural moisturising mechanisms and rebuild the natural barrier, allowing the skin to retain more moisture.

Ceramide cream has been shown to improve skin hydration and decrease water loss for up to 24 hours after application. A 28-day trial found that using a ceramide cleanser in combination with a salicylic acid-containing lotion improved dry skin.

Creams containing a combination of ceramides and other fatty acids may help relieve psoriasis-related skin dryness. For example, combining linolenic acid-ceramide lotion with a standard psoriasis medicine alleviated symptoms including itching and water loss more than the psoriasis drug alone, according to one research.

Supplements containing ceramide

Ceramides may also be used as a supplement. Phyto-ceramides, which come from plants like wheat, sweet potatoes, and rice, are identical to the ceramides present in human skin. A wheat-based ceramide supplement was proven to considerably and visibly moisturise dry skin, as well as repair other skin problems in one trial.

Ceramides: How to Use Them in Your Skin Care Routine

Ceramides may be found in a variety of creams, lotions, and cleansers. Choose a ceramide cream for maximum moisturization, since creams are typically mixed with additional lipids designed to preserve moisture.

Look for fragrance-free items that are less likely to irritate your skin. Perform a spot test the first time you use a ceramides-containing cream to see whether you have any reactions, such as redness or irritation.

To seal in moisture, use ceramide cream as the last step in your skincare routine, either before bed or after bathing. If you're using a ceramide serum, use it first, after cleaning, to ensure adequate absorption.

While you may use various ceramide products in your skincare regimen, studies have shown that utilising a formulation with just one ceramide is more beneficial than using a product with more than one.

How to Prevent Ceramide Depletion?

Ceramide loss may be prevented by following a few easy procedures in addition to providing ceramides to your skin:

Use a humidifier in dry weather and use moisturiser after showering to keep your skin hydrated.
Daily use of SPF sunscreen is recommended, as is avoiding excessive tanning or sunbathing. Intercellular lipids, such as ceramides, have been reported to be damaged by UV radiation.
Use mild soaps and cleansers; stay away from products that include alcohol or scent, since they might dry out the skin.

Take Away

Ceramides are lipids that make up a major amount of the skin's natural composition. These levels fall when people become older or as a result of skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

Ceramide creams and other skincare products help restore moisture and replace the skin's natural barrier. This helps to maintain skin smooth and silky while also reducing the effects of ageing. Ceramides are very mild on the skin and may be used as a moisturiser by persons suffering from acne, psoriasis, or eczema. Ceramides are accessible as lotions, serums, and oral supplements, among other forms.

Ceramide-based treatments may be used in conjunction with other anti-ageing and moisturising components, but they lose their effectiveness when exposed to air and sunlight. If you're not sure which ceramide product is right for you, talk to your dermatologist about your alternatives.