Ceramides: the anti-ageing warriors

Ceramides are a natural part of our skin and can play a big role in how youthful and fresh our complexion looks. However, as we age, their levels decline and their production eventually stops altogether. Without ceramides, skin can look dull and may become dry, irritated or itchy. How can you outsmart this and achieve silky-soft skin with ceramide products?  

What ceramides are and how they work

Ceramides are lipids (fats) that occur completely naturally in everyone’s skin. They are an essential layer of the skin and part of cell membranes, making up as much as 50% of them. To put it simply, you can think of ceramides as a kind of glue that holds individual cells together. When ceramides start to decrease, cells don’t stick together properly, tiny cracks form and the skin loses water. Ceramides therefore maintain the natural balance of hydration and also protect us effectively from bacteria, viruses, impurities and other harmful external influences. Their production decreases, and after forty it stops completely. What does skin look like without ceramides? It shows up as tightness, itching and an unattractive dull appearance. In addition, the skin then becomes much more prone to damage and injury. 

Ceramides in cosmetics

Ceramides are therefore needed for nourishment and proper skin protection. To support this natural layer of our skin correctly, it is important to replenish ceramides in a suitable way through cosmetics. Not only after production stops – cosmetics with ceramides are mainly preventative in nature; they cannot promise to smooth wrinkles that have already formed.
We should therefore not hesitate to include them in a regular routine, ideally after the age of thirty. After forty, the skin is already missing roughly 60% of ceramides, and skin roughness and the visibility of wrinkles increase. A lack of ceramides – and the fact that the skin desperately needs them – can be reliably recognised by unpleasant tightness, itching and irritation, and dull, lifeless-looking skin. 

Because ceramides are a natural part of the skin, they are suitable for all skin types. They should not cause problems even for the most sensitive skin. You will get rid of unpleasant skin symptoms, support the natural skin barrier and, as a bonus, gain soft skin. 

So try them too and enjoy smooth skin without signs of ageing for as long as possible! 

Proper care is the foundation

The most important thing is to thoroughly cleanse the skin of impurities, sebum and pollutants from the external environment. For example, reach for a make-up remover and cleansing foam with rice extracts The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser, which leaves the skin smoother, brighter and more evenly toned. Then apply a moisturising and cleansing facial toner from the same range to clean, smooth skin The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner; it absorbs quickly and instantly hydrates the skin deeply. As a daily lightweight cream with beneficial ceramides, you can use, for example, Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – it deeply hydrates the skin barrier from within and locks moisture into the skin, preventing water loss. For the sensitive eye area, apply an eye cream containing fermented yeast and mushrooms such as Benton Fermentation Eye Cream, which smooths fine lines and deeply nourishes and moisturises. 

As a bonus for skin health, treat yourself now and then to a relaxing session with sheet masks – Skin79 Real Fruit Mask Pineapple smells beautifully of pineapple and, thanks to its rich formula, restores a fresh and youthful look to your skin; the sheet mask Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin™ Facial Barrier Mask is a quick rescue for dry and damaged skin, helps form a protective layer and provides long-lasting hydration. 

For the body, try an intensely moisturising and nourishing lotion with brightening effects The Face Shop Mango Seed Moisturizing Lotion, and nourish dry, cracked hands with a soothing cream Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Hand Cream - Intense, which will bring immediate relief. 

For a proper try-out and maximum effects, go for sets of products with this great ingredient. The set of moisturising and nourishing ceramide creams Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream Gift Set soothes irritation, gives the skin elasticity and softness, and is ideal for the colder time of year. Dry skin will also benefit greatly from the set of moisturising products to improve skin elasticity Etude House Moistfull Collagen Intense Set – the skin will be nourished, noticeably smoother and supple. 

From decorative cosmetics, we can recommend Missha M Perfect Cover, a BB cream with perfect coverage of skin imperfections that ensures a brighter complexion and an even skin tone.