Has your skin been feeling dry these past couple of days? PSA: your skin is possibly very, very deprived of a component called ceramides in that case, and it’s time you do something about it. But what are ceramides, and how do you ‘increase’ their levels in your skin anyway? Here’s what you need to know along with the finest recommendations to reinstate the glow and moisture of your skin.
What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides are fats or lipids found in the uppermost layers of the skin. They account for about 50% of the skin’s composition, and that’s why they determine the health and appearance of the skin. They’re your body’s first line of defence against pollution and other aggressors and excel at protecting the skin from dryness, infections, and age-related signs like lines and wrinkles. If your skin doesn’t contain as many ceramides, you might develop extreme dryness and irritation as well as conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, and more. But what do ceramides in skin even do?
Benefits of Ceramides for Skin?
They help retain your skin’s moisture by preventing permeability — and you know how much of a role moisture plays in plumping, firming, and rejuvenating the skin. Age-related signs like wrinkling, dullness and sagging happen due to the lack of moisture in the skin. Think of ceramides, then, as an anti-ageing powerhouse.
Ceramides also strengthen the barrier of the skin — which defends it against external disruptors and locks moisture and oils in — while also protecting us against UV-induced damage. If your skin is feeling parched and dry, it’s indicative of a lack of ceramides. It’s natural for your skin to lose ceramides over time but you can fix this misbalance via a topical application of ceramides. These were all the benefits of ceramide for skin; but how do you redeem them when you’re lacking ceramides?
How To Increase Ceramides In Skin?
Now that you’re acquainted with ceramides for skin benefits, you must know about the various ways of increasing ceramides in your skin. Here are some ways that you can opt for in order to increase your ceramides in no time.
Invest In Topical Products
Since ageing and sun-induced damage can deplete the levels of ceramides in your skin, investing in products infused with ceramides can restore this balance over time. This can come in the form of toners, creams, moisturisers, and more. You can even look for lip balms and oils containing ceramides. Hair-care products like leave-in masks and serums work too.
Look For Foods Containing Sphingolipids
Another way to increase ceramides in the skin is by consuming foods containing Sphingolipids. Sphingolipids are known to boost ceramide content in the skin. This particular ingredient is seen in wheat, eggs, soy, and dairy products.
Antioxidant-Rich Foods Help
Foods rich in antioxidants like carrots, kale, and tomatoes are an ideal addition too as they reverse skin damage over time.
Say Yes To Your Greens
Green, leafy vegetables like broccoli and kale have loads of ceramides too. They keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Here are some ceramide-infused skincare products that’ll boost ceramide levels in the skin.
The Moms Co. Natural Ceramide Face Cream
This face cream by The Mom’s Co helps retain your skin’s moisture by preventing permeability — and therefore plays a significant role in plumping, firming, and rejuvenating your skin as well as protecting your skin against UV rays. Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane further bolster the effectiveness of ceramides. Not just that. Since this cream contains Niacinamide and Rice Water, it evens out your skin tone and improves elasticity.
The Moms Co. Natural Ceramide Face Serum
Add this water-light serum to your routine. It’s endowed with the same skin-loving ingredients and benefits as the ceramide-infused moisturiser along with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera. Both of these components further bolster the cooling and ultra-moisturising abilities of the formula.
The Moms Co. Natural Ceramide Face Toner
This toner rebuilds and repairs your skin barrier while protecting your skin against pollutants and other aggressors. Enriched With Rice Water, 5 Plants AHAs and Chamomile Extract, it can make your pores look tighter, improve the elasticity of the skin, and soothe redness and inflammation in seconds.
Dot & Key Retinol Night Cream
This anti-ageing sleep-treatment elixir doesn’t just contain the anti-ageing superhero — it features moisture-boosting ceramides that hydrate and moisturise your skin inside-out while Retinol guzzles up the slightest indications of lines and wrinkles; Vitamin C counters pigmentation and spots; and Hyaluronic Acid traps moisture from the surroundings.
Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturiser
If you’re looking for a ceramide-enriched moisturiser that works in sync with oily skin, this moisturiser is it for you. Along with being oil-free, it’s infused with ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, barrier-repairing ceramides and peptides, calming blueberry and pumpkin, and niacinamide that evens out tone and in conjunction with one another, these ingredients are known to treat dryness, reduce redness, and tackle age-related indications like lines and wrinkles. This one excels at treating flare-ups too.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturiser with SPF 30
This double-duty moisturiser boasts an SPF of 30 — meaning that it can sunproof your skin instantly. Not just that. The formula features an assortment of ingredients that restore, repair, and hydrate almost instantly. Glycerine, niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid are a part of the stellar line-up. They replenish your skin’s moisture for 48 hours and restore the skin’s barrier within the hour — but the best part? It’s infused with ceramide 3 that helps bring out your glow. It’s also oil-free and non-comedogenic.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
This fast-acting formula is crafted for those with dry skin types. It’s enriched with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) that protect and defend the skin’s natural barrier — along with Hyaluronic Acid to further moisturise the skin. It absorbs into the skin quickly and leaves no grease behind.
Re’equil Ceramide & Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser For Normal To Dry Skin
This triple-duty formula reigns supreme. This is owing to its functions as a humectant — thanks to Hyaluronic Acid— an occlusive — because it creates a layer over your skin to prevent moisture from escaping — and an emollient — because it replenishes ceramides and fatty acids that enhance your skin’s ability to hydrate itself. It also treats irritation and roughness and adapts to dry skin types that are prone to flare-ups.
The FormulaRX Peptide Ceramide Moisturiser – Barrier Plus
Ever come across a moisturiser that combines the efficacy of ceramides and peptides? This moisturiser does just that. It’s infused with peptides that support proteins like collagen and elastic in your skin — both of these proteins endow your skin with firmness and elasticity. But you do lose them as you age. It also contains ceramides that hydrate and moisturise thoroughly. That’s not it. It’s enriched with Hyaluronic acid and glycerin that further lubricate and hydrate the skin; panthenol that calms and soothes the skin; and niacinamide makes your skin-tone look even. Talk about versatility.
Now that you know what are ceramides for skin and ceramides for skin benefits, what are you waiting for? It’s already winter and you want to act as fast as you can. Add these to your cart RN!
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