Ceramides: Under-the-Radar Skincare Heroes

Ceramides in skincare??? Doesn't sound familiar? Ceramides are easy to overlook, due to other popular ingredients that can hog the spotlight. But ceramides are under-the-radar skincare heroes with great powers to fight off dryness and roughness.

These special lipids are naturally produced by the body and help skin retain moisture while protecting skin's natural moisture barrier. If you ever wonder about what ceramides can do for your skin, think "SHAZAM!"


CERAMIDE SUPERPOWERS

• S: STRENGTHEN SKIN BARRIER by keeping skin cells together to prevent moisture from evaporating
• H: HYDRATION STAYS LOCKED INSIDE SKIN for a soft, smooth, supple healthy-looking texture
• A: ARMOR AGAINST OUTSIDE STRESSORS, including dryness, environmental damage, and germs
• Z: ZERO RISK OF SKIN IRRITATION for all skin types, even sensitive, oily, or breakout-prone skin
• A: ANTI-WRINKLE PLUMPING by capturing and binding water to reduce fine lines and sagging
• M: MOISTURE-BOOSTER that replenishes and supplements skin's natural supply of ceramides

Let's delve a little more into the backstory of ceramides — what they are, what they do, why they are important, and where you can find them in topical skincare.


WHAT ARE CERAMIDES?
Naturally found in skin cells in the stratum corneum, ceramides are types of fatty acids created in the sebaceous glands. Ceramides link with other molecules to improve cellular function and to help maintain a healthy barrier that keeps moisture in and toxins out.

These lipids make up 30-50% of the epidermis, but skin's production of ceramides decreases with time. Levels of ceramides in the skin also decrease because of lifestyle factors that dry and strip skin of its natural oils, such as using soaps with a high pH, over-exfoliating, not using sunscreen, and damage from the environment.

Low levels of ceramides can lead to dryness, rough texture, cracking, and overall skin irritation. That's why applying skincare that contains ceramides is recommended for boosting moisture levels and helping repair a dry, compromised skin barrier.


WHAT DO CERAMIDES DO FOR SKIN?
As indicated earlier, the function of ceramides in the epidermis is to maintain skin's moisture levels and strengthen skin's natural barrier to protect it from external stressors that include dryness, environmental damage, and germs. Ceramides act like superglue, keeping skin cells together and preventing moisture from evaporating off skin: think of it as "waterproofing" the epidermis.

Like hyaluronic acid, ceramides boost moisture for a soft, smooth, supple, healthy-looking texture. As ceramides help capture and bind water, skin becomes plumper. Fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging are reduced. Skin looks and feels healthier and more youthful. Best of all? Ceramides are a natural solution for moisturizing and fortifying all skin types, even sensitive, oily, or breakout-prone skin.


WHY ARE CERAMIDES IMPORTANT?
Aging, sun damage, and certain lifestyle factors that strip skin of natural oils will reduce the body's level of ceramides. This results in a weakened skin barrier, which translates to dryness, rough texture, wrinkles, redness, and skin irritation. When contained in skin products, ceramides supplement skin's natural ceramide production to help restore moisture, minimize irritation, and keep skin protected and healthy-looking.


WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF CERAMIDES?
There are about a dozen different types of ceramides, based on the form of sphingosine (a long chain of carbon atoms with an amino acid attached) and the fatty acid that binds to it. The distinction between the ceramide names depends on the number of fatty acid carbon molecules, the form of sphingosine, and the type of fatty acid that together make up the ceramide.

When you look at the ingredient list of a topical skincare product, look for ceramide 1 (a.k.a. ceramide EOS), ceramide 2 (a.k.a. ceramide NS), ceramide 3 (a.k.a. ceramide NP), ceramide 6 (a.k.a. ceramide AP), or ceramide 9 (a.k.a. ceramide EOP). These ceramides have maximum benefits when paired together in a skincare formula, or when partnered with other fatty acids or hyaluronic acid.


WHERE CAN YOU FIND THESE MOISTURIZING SKINCARE HEROES?
Check out these Le Mieux products featuring ceramides working in tandem with other moisture-boosters, skin-loving botanicals, and powerful peptides.

	BOTO-NEEDLE FROWN LINE PATCH Painless plumping! Nutrient-rich micro needles dissolve into skin to infuse THREE ceramides, line-filling hyaluronic acid, and firming peptides. GET TO THE POINT
	COLLAGEN PEPTIDE SERUM Need a lift? This creamy anti-gravity serum with TWO ceramides, firming peptides, apple stem cells, and youth molecule teprenone plumps lines and encourages collagen renewal. ANTI-GRAVITY SERUM
	DERMA RELIEF SERUM Mother Nature to the rescue! This elixir brimming with TWO ceramides and exotic botanical oils leaves dry, irritated skin blissfully calm, smooth, and supple. BLISS OUT
	EYE & LIP CREAM Magic potion for eyes and lips! THREE ceramides, line-smoothing peptides, and exotic botanicals lock in moisture to keep skin plump, firm, and soft. AGE-PROOF EYES & LIPS
	24 HR. AGE DEFYING CREAM Around-the-clock moisture! TWO ceramides along with line-filling peptides and exotic botanical butters help promote elasticity, fade the look of lines and wrinkles, and target crinkly skin on the neck. WEATHERIZE YOUR SKIN