Do you have a skincare routine that consists moisturising products but still feel dry? Then ceramides should get on your radar as soon as possible!

By Emma Stenman, certified skin therapist

 

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are something we have naturally in our skin to help maintain the skin's optimal moisture levels, keeping the skin's surface soft and smooth. Ceramides hold skin cells together – like mortar – and thus protect the skin rom dehydration and damage from environmental factors. Ceramides are lipids - fats that are naturally present in the skin and make up about 50% of the skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum. As we age, the skin's ceramide levels goes down, and we need to replenish and compensate with ceramides from skincare.

Fun fact! Even though we mostly associate ceramides with skincare, they are actually also found in common foods, such as  soybeans, dairy, eggs, sweet potatoes, wheat germ and brown rice! 

What do ceramides do in skincare?

Ceramides are 'skin-identical' ingredients, meaning that they resemble the skin's own building blocks. This makes them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin.

Ceramides also help strengthen the skin barrier, and to repair a damaged skin barrier.

How do I know if my skin barrier is damaged?

Common signs that your skin barrier is out of balance are:

• Skin feels tight and dry, or even itchy.
• Redness
• Sudden or worsened breakouts (acne)
• Skin feels irritated, and you might experience flare-ups if you have inflammatory conditions, like exzema, acne or rosacea.
• Excessive sebum production, which can worsen acne breakouts.

Which type of skin should use ceramides?

The amazing thing about ceramides is that they are suitable for ALL skin types - fantastic! Everyone can enjoy all its benefits. For those with dry skin, it is especially important to use ceramides as it helps to strengthen the fragile and dry skin as ceramides prevent moisture evaporation. 

Can I combine ceramides with other ingredients?

Yes, absolutely! There is no ingredient that ceramides can't be combined with, but this is especially true if you use products that contain acids or retinol. You want to do this because the ceramides help the skin to recover. 

Which Common Clouds products contain Ceramides?

Since we are a barrier-first skincare brand, ceramides are a natural part of our repetoire!

Cloud Wash, Cloud Jelly and Moon Balm are three of our products that contain ceramides.

Cloud Wash – Our gentle but effective cleanser is the perfect start to your skincare routine. It contains ceramides, 2% niacinamide, centella and chamomille water to soothe and hydrate skin.

Cloud Jelly is a thirst-quenching, oil-free moisturiser that intensely soothes stressed skin with a CICA blend of centella, ceramides and panthenol. 

Moon Balm is a multifunctional moisturiser that is deeply hydrating, soothing and smoothing. It's a barrier-loving powerhouse packed with skin-identical ceramides, cholesterol and phytosphingosine to protect your skin barrier and restore functional damage, so that your barrier can do what it's meant to do – lock important moisture inside the skin and keep unwanted irritants out.