Is your skin always dry? Let's learn about ceramides!

Does your skin always feel dry and rough? Does it itch for no reason, and does it turn red at the slightest touch? Many of us have experienced this. No matter how much moisturizer we apply, sometimes this dryness just won't go away. The main reason for this can be a decrease in an important component that is naturally present in your skin. That's what we call "Ceramides". Today, let's talk about what ceramides are, why they are so important to our skin, and what happens when they are low.

Simply put, what are ceramides?

Imagine that our skin is a wall made of bricks. The bricks in this wall are our skin cells. So, these bricks are connected to each other, the gaps between them are closed, and the wall is strengthened with mortar. Similarly, the "mortar" that fills the gaps between the bricks called our skin cells, binds the skin together, and gives strength to the skin is called ceramides .

Medically speaking, ceramides are a type of fat, or lipid, that is naturally found in our skin cells. The outermost layer of our skin, which we call the "epidermis," is made up of between 30% and 40% of these ceramides.

The main function of these is to protect the skin from moisture loss and to prevent things like germs and dust from the outside environment from entering the skin. It's like a protective wall. We call this the skin's barrier function . So if this barrier is weakened, the skin becomes dry, itchy, and allergies start to develop quickly.

What are the benefits of ceramides for our skin?

Ceramides are essential for the health of our skin. Let's take a look at the main benefits of these.

So what kind of diseases can develop when ceramide levels are low?

• Atopic Dermatitis (Atopic Dermatitis): This is a very common condition. The skin becomes extremely dry, red, and itchy. It has been found that people with this condition have very low levels of ceramides in their skin.
• Ichthyosis: In this condition, the skin takes on a dry, rough appearance, resembling the scales of a fish.
• Normal Dry Skin: Sometimes, skin becomes dry due to things like weather changes and the use of harsh soaps. This also causes a decrease in ceramide levels.

Types of ceramides and products containing them

There are two main types of ceramides.

1. Natural Ceramides: These are produced naturally in our skin. They are also found in plants like soy and in the bodies of some animals.

2. Synthetic Ceramides: These are man-made in laboratories. These synthetic ceramides are most commonly used in skin care products because they are more stable, pure, and have fewer side effects. They are also called `Pseudoceramides`.

If you buy a skincare product, you might see names like these on the label:

• Ce RA mide 1 (ceramide EOS)
• Ceramide 3 (ceramide NP)
• Ceramide 6-II (ceramide AP)
• Phy TOS phingosine
• Sphingosine

These are the types of ceramides that have been found to be most important for skin health.

How do you choose a ceramide product that suits your skin?

As we age, as well as due to harsh soaps, frequent bathing in hot water, and excessive sun exposure, our skin's natural ceramide production decreases. So we have to provide ceramides from the outside. This is why there are products like moisturizers, serums, and toners that contain ceramides.

But there are a few things to consider when choosing a product.

• Your skin type: If your skin is extremely dry, a cream that only contains ceramides may not be enough. It's more effective to choose a product that contains all three types: Ceramide 1, 3, and 6-II .
• Other Ingredients: The results will be even better if you choose a product that contains other humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin along with ceramides.
• Packaging: Ceramides are a substance that can degrade when exposed to light and air, so products that come in airless pump bottles or tubes are better than creams in wide-mouth jars.

Ceramide, skin health, dry skin, moisturizer, skin diseases, skincare, eczema