What Are Ceramides (CERAMOSIDESᵀᴹ)?

Making up roughly 50% of the skin's outermost layer, ceramides help to retain moisture and protect the skin from environmental damage. However, as we age, the skin's concentration of ceramides begins to drop. To find out how ceramides impact physical well-being, and the key to boosting ceramides with food or supplements, keep reading.

What exactly are ceramides?

Ceramides are a type of fatty acid, called lipids, that make up nearly half of the skin's epidermis (the outermost layer). Ceramides are an important part of physical well-being as they help to create a barrier that protects skin from environmental damage while also locking in moisture to prevent dryness.^[1]

Unfortunately, the concentration of ceramides in our skin declines as we age, causing dryness and wrinkles. While there's not much we can do to stop this natural decline, we can slow it down by supplementing the skin's ceramides with creams and nutraceutical supplements. Boosting the skin's natural ceramide levels can help to restore moisture and suppleness while reducing irritation.

Ceramides vs peptides

Both ceramides and peptides feature in skincare creams, but there's a slight difference in how they influence the skin. Ceramides are waxy lipid molecules that act as a kind of mortar between skin cells. Peptides, on the other hand, are short-chain amino acids that support cell signalling.

Both encourage the skin's natural ecosystem, with ceramides useful for reducing local irritation, itching, and redness, while peptides help with general skin sensitivity.

How ceramides work

With up to 50% of our skin composed of ceramides, it makes sense to take a closer look at how they work.

• If your skin cells are the building blocks of your epidermis, then ceramides are like the mortar that holds the blocks together.

Providing stability and integrity, ceramides hold skin cells together, preventing external sources (such as pollution and environmental stressors) from penetrating the skin's surface. Without ceramides, the skin would quickly dry out, making it more prone to damage and infection.

What do ceramides do for the skin?

We've already hinted at several benefits, but below is a summary of what ceramides can do for the skin. The benefits include:

• Reducing dryness
• Supporting the skin's natural barrier function
• Protection from environmental stressors
• Keeping skin hydrated and supple
• Limiting the risk of infection and allergies

Interestingly, some research suggests that people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis have lower levels of ceramides in the skin. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that people with fewer ceramides will develop these conditions, but it does point to a possible link worthy of further investigation.^[2],^[3]

Types of ceramide

Knowing how ceramides can influence physical well-being, it's time to outline the different types available. First, we have the two primary categories of ceramide: natural and synthetic.

• Natural ceramides exist in the epidermis and are produced by the body as part of the skin's ecosystem.

• Synthetic ceramides (called pseudoceramides) are produced in a laboratory, making them a scalable option for skincare products.

Within the two primary categories, there are twelve different types of ceramide. Although they mainly function the same, you might find several varieties listed on skincare products, so it's good to know what you're looking for.

Of the twelve types of ceramide, the following are the most common:

• Sphingosine
• Phytosphingosine
• Ceramide 1, 2, 3, 6-II, and 9
• Ceramosidesᵀᴹ

What are Ceramosidesᵀᴹ?

One of the most popular types of ceramide is a synthetic version called Ceramosidesᵀᴹ, a patented complex that uses phytoceramides and DGDG (a lipid found in wheat) to help restore the skin’s ceramide content. A benefit of Ceramosidesᵀᴹ is that they are guaranteed gluten and preservative-free.

An increasing number of skincare products (Cibdol's included) use Ceramosidesᵀᴹ to provide full-body coverage and maximise skin wellness. The versatility and scalability make it a welcome addition to naturally infused skincare products, supporting skin moisturisation and anti-ageing action.

What are the side effects of ceramides?

So far, we've discussed the mechanism of action and potential benefits of ceramide application, but are there any side effects you should be aware of?

For the most part, ceramides are well-tolerated with a good safety profile. Because they already exist in the skin, adverse reactions are usually due to secondary ingredients, rather than the ceramides themselves. That said, skin sensitivity differs from one person to the next.

• If you're trying a skincare product for the first time, it's crucial to test a small amount on a non-sensitive area of skin first (often called a patch test).

If you have any other concerns about the safety or suitability of skincare creams, it's best to discuss these with your doctor or dermatologist.

How to get ceramides naturally

It's possible to support your body's ceramide production by increasing your intake of healthy fats and focusing on specific foods. It's difficult to give an exact correlation, but healthy fats are generally an excellent addition to most diets, so there's little reason not to try them.

Foods to focus on include:

• Wheat
• Rice
• Corn
• Sweet potatoes

Ceramides in skincare products

Besides nutritional changes, the most effective way to supplement ceramides is with high-quality creams and nutraceuticals. Both options can help to keep the body's natural levels topped up, which becomes especially important as we age and ceramide production slows down.

• When choosing a ceramide skincare product, the usual rules apply. Stick to cream from reputable producers, and always check the ingredients list.

You'll also want to verify the type(s) of ceramides in a given product, as well as any additional ingredients. It's increasingly common to see ceramides working alongside peptides, vitamins, and minerals.

The final watch-out with ceramide creams is the packaging. Expose ceramides to light or air, and they'll start breaking down. As such, packaging should be airtight and opaque to maintain the integrity of the formula inside.

Are ceramides safe?

Ceramides are crucial to protecting both the integrity and appearance of skin. By safeguarding it against environmental factors and encouraging hydration and suppleness, ceramides keep the skin feeling and looking its best. Moreover, most people can easily add ceramides to their existing wellness routine using creams or nutraceutical supplements.

If you have any concerns about the suitability of ceramides, or you're trying to address a particular skin condition, the key, as always, is to consult a doctor or dermatologist.

Experience youthful, glowing skin with Perfect Skin. Available now from the Cibdol store, it uses the soothing embrace of Ceramosidesᵀᴹ to support the skin's delicate ecosystem. Or, to learn more about the benefits of nutraceuticals, visit our Education section.