Natural ceramides deplete as we age, but there are easy ways to increase them in skin.
Anyone who suffers from dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis has probably seen the word “ceramides” on some of their skincare products — but what actually are they? We asked top dermatologists to break it down for us.
What exactly are ceramides and how do they work?
“Ceramides are a type of fat, or lipid, that contribute to the ‘mortar’ that holds skin cells in the epidermis together,” says Brendan Camp, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. “Ceramides, along with cholesterol and free fatty acids, make up the lipids in the top layer of skin, the stratum corneum.” Translation: Your body makes ’em naturally to keep your skin healthy. “Ceramides help to keep skin hydrated by sealing in moisture [which] can help the skin appear smooth and plump and even out fine lines,” says Dr. Camp.
“Think of them like grout between your skin cell tiles,” illustrates Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Like grout keeps tiles in place and structured, ceramides “help form a waterproof seal on the surface of the skin, preventing loss of hydration, maintaining a healthy skin barrier, and preventing environmental irritation.”
What’s the deal with ceramide depletion?
Without a proper amount of ceramides, skin suffers. “If you have diminished ceramides in the skin, the barrier won’t be able to work properly,” says Danusia Wnek, chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. “You will have an increase in transepidermal water loss and the potential for irritants and allergens to enter skin increases.”
To complete the tile metaphor, think of what happens when grout begins to crumble: Your tiled surface suffers from leaks and damage, maybe even deterioration. In the case of skincare, “too few ceramides can lead to dry skin that loses water too easily and becomes rough, red, and irritated,” says Dr. Camp. This translates to breaks and tears in the skin that lead to angry, dehydrated skin and the uncomfortable feeling that comes along with a compromised barrier, vulnerable to pollution, harsh weather, or infection.
So how can you prevent ceramide loss?
Wrong behavior will actually expedite the loss of ceramides and leave you with noticeably uncomfortable-feeling skin well before nature may intend. “Over-scrubbing, use of the wrong type of soap, or even extremes in weather (e.g. cold, dry air) can lead to depletion of ceramides in the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner.
Here’s how to avoid stripping the skin of ceramides:
- “Keep showers on the short side (no more than 10 minutes), use lukewarm to warm water, gentle soap or cleanser,” says Dr. Camp.
- Post-shower, pat skin dry instead of rubbing to avoid physically irritating the skin.
- “Apply moisturizer right after showering when your skin is still a little damp as the lotion will help seal in some of this moisture,” says Dr. Camp.
- Keep a humidifier or two in your house to combat dry air if you notice your skin gets dry and itchy in the winter.
- Incorporate a ceramide-rich moisturizer to your skincare regimen, especially if you have sensitive or compromised skin. “Ceramide-containing products help prevent too much water from evaporating from our skin,” says Dr. Camp. “They are especially useful in eczema-prone patients, since ceramides can help repair a poorly functioning skin barrier which is common among eczema-sufferers.
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Are there different types of ceramides?
Yep! “There are several types of ceramides and they are identified by numbers 1-9,” confirms Wnek. What’s the difference between them all? “Ceramides differ in the lengths of their fatty acid chains, the nature of their sphingoid bases, and the ways in which these two entities are attached,” says Craig A. Kraffert, board certified dermatologist and president of Amarte Skin Care.
“While there may be differences from one to another in terms of adaptogenic properties, they appear to serve in similar fashion.” That means that the presence of any ceramides in your skincare means the same thing as far as payoff.
What’s the difference between natural ceramides and those formulated for skincare?
“Ceramides are oily waxes synthesized by both plants and animals,” explains Dr. Kraffert, but the ceramides that are most commonly found in skincare are synthetic (a.k.a. man-made) and don’t come from animal sources, explains Paul Jarrod Frank, cosmetic dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer and founder of PFRANKMD.
As far as the difference between naturally-occurring ceramides and the synthetic ones, “there really is no major difference structurally,” says Dr. Frank. In fact, these formulas are “bio-identical,” says Dr. Kraffert.
These are our experts’ recommendations for rich food sources of natural ceramides:
- Soy beans
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Wheat germ
- Spinach
BY JESSICA TEICH for Good Housekeeping
