What Are Ceramides For Skin? Build Your Ideal Skincare Routine

Ceramides for skin is one of the most important ingredients in your moisturizer, well known for their ability to repair and maintain the skin barrier. In fact, ceramide is a natural lipid present in our skin barrier. Is it important to add ceramide moisturizers for dry skin or other skin conditions?

The skin on our body is often neglected. This is a mistake because skin ages uniformly. What this means is that you would expect similar characteristics in aged skin whether it’s on the face or on the body. This undermines the importance of overall good health. For example, doctors consider that organ systems like your heart, lung, brain, liver, kidney and gut must function well for your entire body to be in an optimal state of health—that is true for the skin too. In fact, many of these internal organ conditions manifest as skin symptoms first—this is the case for instance in a condition we term pruritus. 

What are ceramides?

They are lipids present in the epidermis, or the top layer of the skin, that are important for skin barrier function.

Why are ceramides important for skin?

You may have heard about ceramides for skin barrier—essentially these are the bits of cement that joins the bricks together in the well-known brick wall model of skin.

• Maintain the structure of the skin, important for skin barrier function
• Prevent water loss from the skin
• Changes in skin ceramide associated with skin disease like atopic dermatitis

Should my moisturizer have ceramides for skin?

Phytoceramides are a rich source of natural lipids that mimic the skin barrier. In the last two decades, dermatologists have shifted their research focus on dry skin conditions such as eczema. From the allergy perspective to the current understanding of skin barrier deficiency, we have come a long way in uncovering how an intact stratum corneum does more than just serve as a physical barrier against the external environment and allergens. In fact, a healthy skin barrier plays host to a myriad of organisms we consider the microbiome, which is essential to healthy skin function. From the immune system to its ability to fight off oxidative stress, the entire skin ecosystem acts in concert for healthy, resilient skin. 

@drteowanlin Ceramide benefits in moisturizer for dry skin Improve skin hydration Reduce water loss from skin Increase skin’s natural ceramides Anti-inflammatory Beneficial for those with eczema, or atopic dermatitis Most ceramides beauty brands refer to are synthetic or animal sources, i.e. bovine in origin—which is also a concern for those preferring a vegan lifestyle. Dermatologist Dr. Teo Wan Lin’s top pick for ceramides is a lesser-known subtype known as phytoceramides. These are botanically derived from plant seed oils and the most prominent phytoceramide of all is shea butter. Derived from the shea tree, shea butter provides a rich source of natural origin plant-based ceramides that can repair the skin barrier effectively. Benefits of phytoceramide skincare Enhance hydration better than synthetic ceramide Improve the recovery rate of damaged stratum corneum Improved immunity Anti-inflammatory #dryskin #moisturiser_for_dryskin #moisturisertreatment #sgskincare #dermatologytiktok #sgtoktok #sgdoctor #dermatologist #tiktoksg🇸🇬 #skincareroutine #skincaretips #skincare101 #skincareproduct ♬ original sound – Dr.TWL Dermatologist

Ceramide benefits in moisturizer

• Improve skin hydration
• Reduce water loss from skin
• Increase skin’s natural ceramides
• Anti-inflammatory
• Beneficial for those with eczema, or atopic dermatitis

Most ceramides beauty brands refer to are synthetic or animal sources, i.e. bovine in origin—which is also a concern for those preferring a vegan lifestyle. Dermatologist Dr. Teo Wan Lin’s top pick for ceramides is a lesser-known subtype known as phytoceramides. These are botanically derived from plant seed oils and the most prominent phytoceramide of all is shea butter. Derived from the shea tree, shea butter provides a rich source of natural origin plant-based ceramides that can repair the skin barrier effectively.

Benefits of phytoceramide skincare

Ceramides are the best ingredient for your moisturizer. Read on to find out the benefits of ceramides in your skincare

Types of ceramides

Most importantly, scientific studies in recent years have actually shown the benefits of using phytoceramides in skincare formulations. Specifically, natural oils are sources of fatty acids and a compound known as phytosphingosine which directly repair the skin barrier. Shea butter, sunflower oil, moringa and meadowfoam seed oil were observed to improve the recovery rate of damaged stratum corneum and enhance hydration even better than synthetic ceramide versions. Benefits include increased hydration as well as improved immunological function, partly because of anti-inflammatory properties inherent in botanical actives. 

Moisturizers with ceramides

The Multi-CERAM Ceramide Moisturiser is an ultra intensive skin moisturiser for skin barrier repair. It is an ideal ceramide moisturizer for dry skin and sensitive skin, and has anit-inflammatory properties for skin barrier repair. Dermatologist formulated moisturizer for eczema, dry sensitive skin and to prevent skin ageing. Botanically derived anti-oxidants to improve the appearance of cellulite. Suitable for face and body.

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