You may have heard about ceramides – but what exactly are they, and why do they play such a vital role in healthy skin? Ceramides naturally occur in our bodies and are like the skin's tiny building blocks – essential fats that help keep your skin barrier strong and lock in moisture1. In fact, ceramide-infused moisturisers and cleansers can help keep our skin hydrated and resilient2.
Ceramides are a type of lipid, which are molecules such as fats, oils, sterols and wax3. Ceramides are a waxy form of lipid – they get their name from ‘cera’, which means wax in Latin2.
Ceramides make up about 50% of the lipids in the stratum corneum – the outermost layer of the skin – alongside cholesterol and fatty acids1,2. It’s the waxy consistency of ceramides that make them so good at helping to support and strengthen the skin barrier. These important lipids help keep moisture in and pollutants out. Ceramides are like the ‘mortar’ in the ‘brick-and-mortar’ structure of the stratum corneum – they help fill in the gaps between skin cells, strengthening the barrier's impermeability2.
Inside the skin barrier, there are different types of ceramides4. They each help to support the integrity of our skin barrier, generally keeping moisture in and external irritants out.
Ceramides play an important role in maintaining skin health2. For all skin types – not just acne-prone – ceramides help with moisture retention, supporting the skin against dryness and flakiness and supporting the skin barrier.
If you don’t have enough ceramides, or they’re not functioning optimally, skin can become dry and its protective function can be compromised1. Several factors can decrease the level of ceramides in our skin1. The good news? Applying ceramide-infused skincare can help support skin barrier function and overall skin health2,4.
Ceramides play an important role in maintaining skin health2. For all skin types – not just acne-prone – ceramides help with moisture retention, supporting the skin against dryness and flakiness and supporting the skin barrier.
Increasing the quantity of ceramides in your skincare for maintaining hydrated, healthy skin. The following steps outline how to integrate ceramides effectively into your routine to support your skin.
Using a soap-free, ceramide cleanser can help boost skin hydration and support overall skin barrier function5,6. It can help to remove impurities like dirt and oil without stripping critical components of the skin barrier.
Try: QV Ceramides Cleanser is formulated with gentle cleansing agents that help remove dirt, impurities and makeup without stripping essential skin lipids. It also contains a ceramide complex (EOP, AP, NP), to help leave skin feeling clean and refreshed, but still soft.
Ceramides can be integrated into any part of your daily skincare routine, but some of the best results come from using a ceramide-packed moisturiser, especially at night when skin is in its restore and repair mode7. In fact, using a ceramide cream regularly has been shown to increase skin hydration over time7.
Try: QV Ceramides Moisturising Cream has a blend of three skin-identical ceramides (EOP, NP, AP).
It is important to incorporate wearing sunscreen every day on your face and body to protect yourself from sun exposure and maintain healthy looking skin.
Try: QV Ceramides Lotion has three different types of ceramides (EOP, AP, NP) and helps keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, ideal for layering with a sunscreen such as QV Face Moisturising Day Cream SPF 30*.
*Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear to further reduce risk. Frequent re-application is required.
