Is Skin Actives guilty of using ingredients receiving huge amounts of online hype? We confess: we’ve always loved our ceramides.

Billed as a top choice for dry skin and redness, ceramides are surging in popularity across the skin care community. As usual, some of these claims are eye-rolling. But here at Skin Actives, we’re confident we’ve been using ceramides for the right reasons.

In line with our commitment to being transparent in our choices and explaining our ingredients rather than using them for label value or marketing hype, we are taking this opportunity to discuss ceramides in skin care and the reasons we choose them for Skin Actives products. 

What Exactly Are Ceramides?

Sometimes described as a “cement” or “mortar” for the outer layers of the skin, ceramides are a group of waxy lipids that impact the skin’s handling of moisture and external contaminants. Due to the way they are structured on a molecular level, ceramides arrange themselves in layers that prove helpful in the skin barrier, moderating the intake and output of water and other chemicals. In essence, this behavior makes ceramides an important active for moisturizing and soothing products, since a healthy barrier will keep the skin nourished and calm. 

Why Use Ceramides Over Other Lipids?

Close readers of this blog may register ceramides as lipids and think: aren’t there many lipids we can use to improve the skin barrier? The answer is yes—other lipids, such as those found in our Every Lipid Serum, can and will fortify the skin barrier in a manner similar to ceramides. But ceramides are especially useful because the body naturally produces them at significant levels. This means they are unlikely to disagree with even the most sensitive skin types. While those with sensitive skin may find more robust oils irritating, they are likely able to tolerate ceramides. As such, ceramides are a great option for dealing with redness.

What Sort of Products Are Best for Ceramides?

As moisture retention is a highlight of ceramides, it should come as no surprise that we turn to them for our most powerful moisturizing products. Both Hydrating and Firming Age Defying Cream and Ultimate Moisturizing Cream with ROS BioNet and Apocynin—premium moisturizing products also geared to enhance skin functions that naturally diminish with age— include ceramides. They can also be found in our classic Ultimate Moisturizing Cream, along with Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer and Revitalizing Nutrient Cream. 

We also use ceramides to support skin renewal. By now, most Skin Actives customers know that Epidermal Growth Factor has a remarkable ability to stimulate new growth. What fewer may know is that when the skin initiates new growth, it seeks materials to continue the process. This is why we pair ceramides with our ultra-renewing High-Potency EGF Cream. What better choice for supplying healthy new tissue than the “mortar” of the skin?

Last but certainly not least, we leverage ceramides to sustain and restore the skin barrier. UV Repair Cream, Post Radiation Cream and Barrier Repair Cream all contain ceramides, not just to deliver moisture robbed from the skin by deleterious processes, but to build out the defensive structure of the skin barrier and allow healthy skin function to resume. 

Important Tip for Using Ceramides in DIY Recipes 

A growing number of skin care enthusiasts turn to Skin Actives for high-quality DIY Ceramide powder for use in their custom skin care recipes. While having success with ceramides in DIY recipes is simple enough, following this one important tip yields the best results. 

Because ceramides have such particular behavior with respect to liquids, blending them perfectly into a DIY mixture may require some finesse. We suggest taking one of our best, most gentle and nourishing skin care oils, either Rosehip Seed Oil or Squalane, and heating a small amount in the microwave until it is warm to the touch. Next, mix the ceramide powder into the warm oil until it dissolves. This mixture can then be added to your DIY project, delivering a more even distribution than would adding the powder straight to a serum or cream.

Are You Getting Enough Ceramides?

To be clear: the skin does produce a significant amount of ceramides naturally. As such, not every skin type necessarily needs an external infusion of ceramides. If your skin is already youthful, hydrated and calm, don’t panic over a lack of ceramides based on the dire claims of skin care marketers trying to sell you on overpriced ceramide products. That being said, there are times when adding ceramides to your routine may make a difference. 

As with collagen and elastin, the natural production of ceramides in the skin can change over time. If you’ve noticed your skin having an increasing tendency to dry out or exhibit redness, your skin barrier may be weakening due to gradual changes with age. Try upping its supply of ceramides with an all-around support system like Hydrating and Firming Age Defying Cream. 

Other reasons to add ceramides may be more specific. For some skin conditions, dermatologists will prescribe topical steroids. Although these treatments may be necessary and beneficial given the nature of the skin concern, long-term use of topical steroids can lead to side effects—including water loss and the diminished production of natural ceramides. The ceramides used in Skin Actives products were actually created to address this deficiency. Dryness after topical steroid use is one sign you may need more ceramides. 

Like most skin care ingredients, ceramides neither live up to the boldest claims of marketers nor should be overlooked or discarded as others will advise. Ceramides can add real value to a routine, especially if you’re experiencing one of the concerns described above. Knowing how they work and when they’re needed will help you make the right choices for your individual skin. Keep checking back on this blog for the latest tips on finding success and value from your skin care—that is, after all, the whole reason we made Skin Actives.