We all want that youthful glow to our skin for as long as we can hold on to it right? Whilst it’s common that ingredients like Niacinamide, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid are pushed into the spotlight promising to keep our skin fresh and plump, there’s one ingredient that is more integral than all of them combined.
Ceramides are the foundational glue that keeps your skin barrier cells strong and healthy. They not only help to keep the moisture within our skin and irritants out but also work to maintain the firmness that allows the skin’s surface to look smooth and supple.
What are ceramides made up of?
Putting on our lab coat here, ceramides are sphingolipids, a type of fatty molecule that is naturally present in high amounts within the cell membranes across all four layers of the epidermis. However we can find them most within the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin.
Ceramides make up around 47% of the skin, with an additional 7% found within our hair. These lipids are made up of long-chain fatty acids, which create a protective layer to lock in moisture and shield your skin from external aggressors.
One of the most common types, Ceramide NP, is found abundantly in the skin, although there are several types of ceramides that can be present. At Bare Roots, we use ceramides derived and fermented from the Tonka Bean, which contain skin-identical properties that can help enhance their uptake and efficacy when delivered to the skin.
How do ceramides work?
Ceramides work by reinforcing your skin’s natural barrier. Acting like the mortar between skin cells (the bricks), they keep your skin strong, smooth, and hydrated. If the skin barrier becomes compromised, or as we begin to age, the ceramide levels within the skin deplete. This may result in dry, irritated skin and can encourage skin conditions such as Acne or Eczema to present.
Through regular replenishment of ceramides, the skin barrier can reinvigorate, strengthen and fortify its own protective barrier to lock in sufficient moisture levels and keep unwanted pollutants at bay.
What skin conditions benefit from ceramides?
There are no restrictions on who should or shouldn’t use ceramides - they really are essential for every skin! A time when they may be particularly beneficial is when you are dealing with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or dry, ageing skin. These conditions are often linked to a weakened skin barrier and can encourage transepidermal water loss (water evaporating from the skin). Ceramides help restore the barrier and offer improvements in overall skin texture and hydration.
If your skin is feeling dry, irritated, or lacks vitality, introducing products rich in ceramides into your routine can feel restorative.
Where can you find ceramides?
We know now that your skin naturally contains ceramides. However, as these levels can decrease over time, it can prove beneficial to replenish them with skincare products regularly.
At Bare Roots, we incorporate ceramides into most of our range to support your skin with adequate barrier care. Let’s take a look at some of the products that contain ceramides:
Gentle Cleansing Milk - This milk can not only be used to cleanse your skin, but also as a leave on vitamin mask for added hydration and nourishment!
Gentle Foaming Cleanser - Don’t let the fact that this is a foaming cleanser fool you. We have included this deeply cleansing, yet hydrating foam with ceramides and plant oils to help offer improvements in barrier strength and protection during your deep clean.
Vital Cream - Containing one of the highest percentages of ceramides in our entire product range. Formulated to be a first-aid warrior to skin, this moisturiser can help reduce the appearance of inflammation, irritation and offer improvements in overall skin vitality.
Flora Cream - With added plant-based retinol alternatives, this rich creamy balm helps to encourage lasting hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.
Curative Serum - Another product with plant-based retinol alternatives, a concentrated serum that can help offer improvements in clarity, texture and hydration in the skin.
Bamboo Enzyme Peel - This creamy clay-based exfoliant works as a 3-in-1 mask to gently exfoliate the skin and added ceramides help to replenish the skin barrier.
These products deliver ceramides in a form that the skin recognises. By choosing skincare with skin-identical properties, such as the ceramides we use at Bare Roots, you’re giving your skin the best chance to feel renewed, healthy, and strong.
Summary
Ceramides play a crucial role in supporting the skin’s natural barrier, helping to maintain hydration and protect against environmental stressors. Whether you are looking to enhance skin hydration, reduce the appearance of dryness, or improve overall skin resilience, incorporating ceramide-rich products into your routine is not a bad place to start.
