In the quest for healthy and radiant skin, the skincare industry is constantly evolving. Among the myriad of ingredients touted for their transformative effects, one group stands out for its pivotal role in maintaining skin health: Ceramides. These lipid molecules, play a crucial role in preserving the skin’s integrity and radiant glow. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of ceramides, their functions in skin health, and how age impacts their levels.

What are Ceramides?

Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids (fats) that constitute a vital part of the skin’s barrier function. Comprising around 50% of the skin’s composition, these molecules are crucial for maintaining its structural integrity and preventing moisture loss. Ceramides work alongside other lipids, such as cholesterol and fatty acids, to form a protective barrier that shields the skin from environmental stressors, pollutants, and pathogens.

The Role of Ceramides in Skin Health:

1. Moisture Retention: Ceramides play a pivotal role in preserving the skin’s hydration levels. They act as a natural barrier, preventing water loss and maintaining optimal moisture content. This is particularly important in preventing dryness, flakiness, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Barrier Function: The skin’s barrier is its first line of defense against external aggressors. Ceramides contribute to the structural integrity of this barrier, ensuring that it remains robust and effective. A healthy barrier not only prevents moisture loss but also protects against irritants and allergens.
3. Anti-Aging Properties: As we age, the natural production of ceramides in the skin decreases. This decline is associated with a weakened barrier function, leading to increased susceptibility to environmental damage and accelerated aging. Incorporating ceramides into skincare routines can help replenish and fortify the skin’s protective barrier, reducing the visible signs of aging.

Dry Skin

Without ceramides, you have no skin barrier!

How Age Affects Ceramides

The aging process has a direct impact on ceramide levels in the skin. Several factors contribute to this decline:

1. Natural Aging: As we grow older, the production of ceramides naturally decreases. This decline compromises the skin’s ability to retain moisture and protect against external stressors.
2. Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and harsh weather conditions can accelerate the breakdown of ceramides in the skin, further exacerbating the aging process.
3. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during menopause, can contribute to a reduction in ceramide levels. This hormonal imbalance is linked to a range of skin issues, including increased dryness and a loss of elasticity.

Your Skin Barrier Is Critical For Healthy Skin

Without ceramides, you have no skin barrier!

Ceramides are a key component of the lipid matrix in the outermost layer of the skin, these fatty molecules play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and resilience of the skin barrier. The skin barrier acts as a protective shield, preventing the loss of vital moisture and blocking out harmful environmental factors such as pollutants and pathogens.

Ceramides contribute to the formation of a robust and cohesive barrier, reducing trans-epidermal water loss and ensuring that the skin remains adequately hydrated. When ceramide levels are optimal, the skin barrier functions effectively, safeguarding against dryness, irritation, and premature aging. In essence, ceramides are the linchpin of a healthy skin barrier, providing the strength and cohesion necessary to keep the skin’s defenses intact.

Your skin barrier is partly composed by lipidic layers regulating Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) along with moisture balance. These layers are composed of:

• 40% Ceramides
• 25% Free fatty acids
• 25% Cholesterol

NADI Innate Flow Quell Balsam is our “Beauty Glue” formulated to help reinforce your skin’s barrier, making it less vulnerable to external factors. Expertly formulated with slow Artisan methods and processes NADI contains 2 High Performance Actives (HPA) featuring Ceramides:

1. Oat Lipid E^® – locks in moisture by forming a physical barrier to TEWL (trans epidermal water loss) and acts as an occlusive and a humectant due to the high Ceramide content. Intensively nourishing for mature/maturing, sensitive and damaged skin.

2. CeraFluid^®  – The Ceramide element (Ceramide NP) reinforces the horny layer skin wall to retain moisture within the skin, keeping the skin moisturised all the time. Increased skin compatibility and penetration of the synergy olive glycerides-ceramides improves bioavailability to deliver faster moisturising effects deeper into the skin.

Your Skincare Benfits

• Restore and reinforce our skin’s barrier function
• Repair and balance our skin’s hydro-lipid mantle
• Keep your skin healthier for longer
• Prevent skin from losing water, thus improving its hydration and elasticity
• Keep your skin looking healthy, firm, and plump by minimising the appearance of fine lines
• Prevent and improve skin conditions like eczema or sensitive and/or irritated skin.

Your skin is constantly exposed to enviromental aggressors that affect the function of its protective barrier, skin of all ages can benefit from including ceramide containing products in your skincare routine. Skin health is everything!

Until next time, be human, be kind, be you.

REFERENCES:

• Elias, P. M., & Wakefield, J. S. (2014). Mechanisms of abnormal lamellar body secretion and the dysfunctional skin barrier in patients with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134(4), 781-791.
• Rawlings, A. V., & Voegeli, R. (2013). Stratum corneum proteases and dry skin conditions. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 70(23), 4537-4552.
• Bouwstra, J. A., & Ponec, M. (2006). The skin barrier in healthy and diseased state. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Biomembranes, 1758(12), 2080-2095.