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Ceramides: the protective skincare ingredient that’s key to healthier skin
By Amber Voller &Chloe Burcham
2 months ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
10 min read
They’re lauded as a skincare hero, promising to tackle everything from dullness and dehydration to dryness and sensitivity. Here, the experts explain why ceramides could be the ingredient your complexion has been craving.
Fats. They’re probably not at the top of your ‘must-have’ list when it comes to scouring the skincare aisles, but according to skin experts, they’re one of the true powerhouse ingredients for boosting complexion. If dryness, roughness, redness, dehydration or irritation count as any of your skin bugbears, you’re likely to benefit from ceramides (a form of lipids or ‘fat molecules’).
In fact, Paula Begoun, ingredient buff and founder of Paula’s Choice, says that on some levels, these are even more important than other buzzy ingredients like retinol, niacinamide and peptides.
Our skin has a protective layer – a barrier on the surface that keeps moisture in and nasties like irritants, pollution and other environmental aggressors out. If skin cells are the bricks, ceramides are the mortar that holds them together.
Credit: Getty Images
“Ceramides are already found naturally within our skin,” celebrity facialist Michaella Bolder tells Stylist. “They play an important role in keeping its structure strong and healthy by bonding the cells together on the surface, forming a solid protective layer. That layer holds onto hydration and protects against damage, giving the skin its plump, hydrated and balanced appearance.”
If we’re already born with our own stash of ceramides, you might be wondering why we really need skincare spiked with them.
“Our natural ceramide reserves can become depleted with age,” she adds. “That barrier also takes a beating from things like sun damage, hot water or harsh soaps. Considering ceramides make up over 50% of our skin’s composition, you can imagine how important it is to keep those levels up.
“Topping them up with ceramide creams, serums, oils or cleansers is important for healthy, happy skin.”
Scroll down for everything you need to know about the unsung hero ingredient as we reveal the best ceramide products with approval from Bolder and other experts…
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What are ceramides?
Ceramides are naturally part of our body and are found at the highest concentrations in the uppermost layer of our skin (the stratum corneum). They are an essential part of our protective barrier, so boosting them will result in a more hydrated, supple, plumper complexion that’s less susceptible to irritation.
Some research has found we can boost our ceramide reserves with oral supplementation. In one Japanese study, 200mg of orally ingested ceramides, derived from wheat, completely restored hydration in 95% of participants suffering from dry, flaky, itchy skin, according to Gill Sinclair, co-founder of Victoria Health. In others, there was a marked smoothing of wrinkles.
In addition to wheat germ, ceramides are also found in foods such as sweet potatoes, soy, brown rice, corn, eggs and dairy.
And in skincare? Elizabeth Arden pioneered the use of ceramides in topical skin products in the early 1990s, but today they can be found in all kinds of high-tech formulations to suit every budget and skin type.
They work especially well as a final step in your skincare routine (just before sunscreen if you’re using them during the day) or applied right after a shower to really lock in moisture.
How to increase ceramides in skin
You might be questioning whether applying a skincare product containing ceramides can actually replenish reduced levels but several studies have proven this to be true.
“Ceramides can be applied every day and work particularly well when blended in formulas with other nourishing ingredients such as glycerin, cholesterol and fatty acids,” comments Bolder.
There are nine different types of ceramides so you’ll usually find the word ‘ceramide’ followed by a number on the INCI (ingredient) list. But it’s also worth looking out for ‘phytosphingosine’ and ‘sphingolipids’ on the label. According to Begoun, these can “nudge skin into actually producing more ceramides”.
Who and what are ceramides good for?
“Skin needing replenishment will benefit most from ceramides. That includes those with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, dryness or those suffering from a compromised protective barrier as a result of sun damage or over-use of active ingredients like glycolic acid,” explains Bolder.
But oil-prone faces can also enjoy ceramides’ superpowers. In fact, acne sufferers (particularly those on treatments like Roaccutane) have been shown to be lacking them.
“Ceramides are naturally already found within skin, so they’re great for everyone including those with combination or oily complexions. Just choose a formula based on your skin type,” advises Bolder. If you’re breakout-prone, steer clear of rich pore-clogging creams, instead opting for oil-free serums or lightweight lotions.
What do ceramide capsules do?
Like vitamin C and retinol, ceramides can lose their effectiveness if they’re exposed to light and air. Begoun advises avoiding formulas housed in jars or tubs. Instead, she recommends looking for products in tubes or opaque bottles with pumps or airtight dispensers.
Another smart way of packaging ceramides is in capsules. These are teeny one-dose ‘pods’ that can be squeezed to release the product. While they’ve previously been made from plastic, they tend to use biodegradable materials now so there’s no need to worry about waste.
What do ceramides do for hair?
Ceramides aren’t just found naturally in our skin – the same fatty material resides in our hair’s cuticle (the thin outermost layer) too. They have a similar function here, locking nutrients in and strengthening our strands leaving them smooth, shiny and less vulnerable to damage.
Anytime we undergo a chemical process (like colouring or chemical straightening) or use excessive heat, we’re chipping away at our hair’s ceramide levels.
On the label, look out for ‘2-oleamido-1’ or ‘3-octadecanediol’ that indicate a hair product boasts ceramides. Natural oils like wheat germ oil, safflower oil, grape seed oil and hemp seed oil are also brimming with them.
Best ceramide products for skin and hair
Best ceramide mist: Glow Hub Barrier Builder Facial Mist
Perfect for layering over make-up or as the final step in your skincare routine, this cooling mist is ideal for those with a damaged skin barrier. A cocktail of ceramides, fatty acids and amino acids work to nourish the skin, while delivering an ultra-refreshing hit of moisture.
Shop Glow Hub Barrier Builder Facial Mist at Lookfantastic, £14
Best ceramide day cream for plumping skin: The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
Designed to improve the look of elasticity and protect against dryness, this pleasingly affordable day cream is packed with potent bio-active ceramides – plus a clever blurring complex to help reduce the look of fine lines.
Shop The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser at Lookfantastic, £18.99
Best ceramide body cleanser for sensitive skin: Murad Sensitive Skin Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleanser
Perfect for gently cleansing the skin without leaving it feeling stripped of moisture, this soothing body wash is enriched with lipid-boosting technology and ceramides. Plus, there’s a clever microalgae ingredient which cools for a gentle, refreshing wash.
Shop Murad Sensitive Skin Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleanser at Lookfantastic, £26
Best ceramide serum for long-lasting moisture: Nip+Fab Ceramide Fix Serum
Brimming with potent ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, squalane and ceramides, this barrier-strengthening serum protects against trans-epidermal water loss while nourishing and plumping the skin.
Best multi-tasking ceramide cream: Ole Henriksen Après-Skin Rich Rescue Crème
Designed for both the face and body, this ultra-nourishing cream helps combat feelings of dryness and sensitivity. Electrolytes, vitamins and ceramides work to soothe areas of sensitivity and tightness, while replenishing lost moisture overnight.
Shop Ole Henriksen Après-Skin Rich Rescue Crème at Lookfantastic, £38
Best ceramide capsules: Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum
Elizabeth Arden was the first to formulate skincare with ceramides and the extensive range now includes everything from sculpting rollerball gels to cleansers, sunscreens, eye creams and even ceramide make-up. (Check out Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Foundation, £35, that plumps as it covers.)
These capsules are the most iconic of them all – and for good reason. “The potent triple-powered serum is jam-packed with ceramides to enhance skin’s barrier repair function, increase moisture levels and minimise the appearance of ageing,” explains Bolder.
Shop Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules Advanced at Lookfantastic, £48
Best ceramide cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Bolder rates the whole CeraVe line – another skincare powerhouse brand with ceramides at its heart.
From the makers of La Roche-Posay, SkinCeuticals and Vichy, the entire range is seriously affordable, but it’s this genius cleanser that’s soared to the top of beauty’s cult list.
Pumping back just as much as it takes away, it gently removes make-up and grime without stripping the skin. Using hyaluronic acid and those all-important ceramides leaves skin hydrated, soothed and more resilient, making it a particularly smart pick if you’re prone to sensitivity.
Best ceramide moisturiser for thirsty skin: Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
This strengthening moisturiser is designed to help to quench dry and thirsty skin types. Beetroot and coconut extract work together to pull hydration into the skin, while ceramides, vitamin F and pomegranate sterols strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, sealing in moisture.
Shop Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream at Space NK, £60
Best soothing ceramide moisturiser: Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream
You probably associate Pixi skincare with the powerful glycolic acid-packed Glow Tonic, £18, but the brand boasts a whole treasure trove of gentle, soothing products, too.
This divine cream is one of them and a favourite of Stylist writer Lauren Geall. Infused with calming ceramides, rose oil (that lends the delicate floral scent) and probiotics (to protect and balance), it immediately quells irritation and flaky patches while nourishing deep down.
The ultra-rich texture’s best if you’re dry, not oily, but it doesn’t feel too occlusive or greasy. Use it daily or for emergency relief during particularly dry periods.
Best ceramide moisturiser for sensitive or acne-prone skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Multi-Compensating Soothing Moisturiser
La Roche-Posay is one of our go-tos when it comes to treating sensitive or acne-prone complexions.
This one-of-a-kind formula (another approved by Bolder) caters for both at once, targeting those that have been left sensitive, fragile or inflamed following acne treatments.
Our skin’s protective outer barrier can often become depleted from over-use of spot-blitzing ingredients or exfoliation. This lightweight lotion makes use of ceramides to rebuild it and niacinamide to soothe, all without blocking pores or leaving skin shiny.
Shop La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Moisturiser at Cult Beauty, £20.90
Best ceramide and hyaluronic acid serum: Beauty Pie Triple Acid & Lipopeptide Serum
This daily serum boasts a whole host of proven, effective ingredients including ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping polysaccharides and firming peptides. In short? It’s a magic elixir for plumper, juicier, more glowing skin. If you’re oily or simply dehydrated, use it alone as a thirst-quencher. For dry skin, it works brilliantly layered under moisturiser to deliver a souped-up hydration hit.
Shop Beauty Pie Triple Acid & Lipopeptide Serum, £90 (£24 for members)
Best ceramide body cream for eczema: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume Ultra-Soothing Balm
This repair balm can be used on both the face and body although we’d lean towards reserving it for the latter. Like a first aid kit for irritated skin, it instantly soothes discomfort while reducing the urge to scratch, thanks to special anti-itching technology.
It doesn’t just offer immediate benefits, though. Ceramides help to reconstruct that protective barrier so skin is more resilient and less sensitised over time. It’s unscented so ideal for those cold winter months when highly fragranced body lotions can leave skin tender. Slather it on at night just before slipping on your PJs.
Shop Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume Ultra-Soothing Balm at Lookfantastic, £15.50
Best ceramide lip treatment: Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Lip Oil Stick
Ceramides work wonderfully on chapped lips – softening, smoothing and easing any soreness.
From a bestselling South Korean skincare brand, this rich ointment-like lip treatment works a treat and is free from petroleum oil and mineral oil (as all good lip balms really should be).
The rest of the brand’s ceramide-packed ‘Good Cera’ collection is worth checking out, too. There’s a ceramide mist that can be used for a midday boost as well as toners, richer creams and cleansers.
Shop Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Lip Oil Stick at Lookfantastic, £6.95
Best ceramide hair treatment: Kérastase Resistance Serum Extentioniste Scalp and Hair Serum
Ceramides can also work wonders in haircare. In the same way that they help to rebuild the skin’s barrier, they can strengthen our locks, too.
This plush leave-in serum works on both the scalp and strands, using ceramides to help prevent breakage while restoring natural moisture on the skin surface. Over time, your hair will look and feel healthier and in turn, reach longer lengths.
Just pop three pipettes’ worth over your scalp, up to twice a week, using your fingertips to massage it in with circular motions.
Shop Kérastase Resistance Extentioniste Scalp and Hair Serum at Boots, £47
Best everyday ceramide moisturiser: Shop Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream
Formulated with plant-derived ceramides, this luxurious cream works to restore and support the natural moisture barrier, helping to relieve dry skin and reduce moisture loss. Formulated specifically for dry, dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin types, the texture is rich yet non-greasy, delivering nourishment while visibly plumping the skin.
Shop Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream at Space NK, £27
Best ceramide sheet mask: Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask
Soothing and cooling, this 20-minute mask is perfect for resetting and strengthening your skin in the form of a speedy sheet mask treatment. Infused with the brand’s barrier-strengthening solution and loaded with ceramide NP, panthenol and glycerin, the serum-rich mask leaves the complexion feeling soft and supple, with a smoother, more plumped appearance.
Shop Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask at Lookfantastic, £8.50
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
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