Here's Why You Need Ceramides in Your Beauty Routine

A word that gets thrown around a lot in the beauty industry as of late is “ceramide”. It’s often peddled as a much-have skincare ingredient, especially when it comes to anti-aging. But do you know what ceramide actually is, and how the use of ceramides can benefit your skin?
Lipid (fat) molecules can be found in high concentrations within cell membranes, and ceramides are actually a form of lipid molecule that can be found in the top layer of the skin to regulate cells. Making up 50% of the extracellular matrix, ceramides are able to hold skin cells together to form a protective layer, helping the skin preserve moisture and elasticity. It not only helps to keep the skin plump and hydrated, it calms red and irritated skin too, making it particularly effective in treating eczema. Ceramides can quickly help to restore the skin’s barrier if you’ve over-exfoliated too. It’s no wonder why ceramide is being touted as an essential skincare ingredient!
Our skin contains 9 different forms of ceramide, but only a few can be commonly found in skincare products. Several companies may choose to label the type of ceramide by their INCI name (referring to each form numerically), while others use a revised 3-letter designation system called “Motta”. And then there are companies which refer to ceramides by their chemical titles, making our lives a little more difficult. But fear not, you can refer to this useful list below to locate your ceramides.
Types of Ceramides
Ceramide 1 = Ceramide EOS
Ceramide 2 = Cermamide NS = N-stearoyl sphinganine
Ceramide 3 = Ceramide NP = N-stearoyl phytosphingosine
Ceramide 4 = Ceramide EOH
Ceramide 5 = Ceramide AS
Ceramide 6 = Ceramide AP = α-hydroxy-N-stearoylphytosphingosine
Ceramide 6 II = Caproyl sphingosine
Ceramide 7 = Ceramide AH
Ceramide 8 = Ceramide NH
Ceramide 9 = Ceramide EOP
Have a look at our selection of products that contain ceramides to help give your skin a little TLC.