Ceramides are serious business. A trending ingredient you’ve probably heard all about recently, they definitely aren’t going out of style anytime soon. Why? Ceramides are naturally occurring in the skin—they are lipids, or fatty acids, that help to promote a healthy skin barrier. As we know, a healthy skin barrier is the secret to good skin, so you’re going to want to ensure ceramides are part of your regimen. 

Here, we quizzed Ian Harrison, scientific communication and clinical trials manager at Ego Pharmaceuticals, about what ceramides are and how to use them effectively.

What are ceramides?
“Ceramides are the primary component of the lipid layer of the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the skin. This lipid bilayer is the mortar that keeps the cells—the bricks—in this layer together, and helps to keep the skin hydrated and protect it from irritants and other harmful things like allergens and pathogens.”

 What do ceramides do for our skin?
“Ceramides help to hold the cells of the outer layers of skin in place, and help to prevent water loss from the skin, and irritants and allergens from penetrating through to our body. Without ceramides functioning properly, it would be open season for irritants and allergens, and our skin itself would be extremely dry. Proper ceramide function is also crucial for how the skin copes with certain conditions such as eczema.”

What are the benefits of using them in our skincare routine?
“Ceramides are crucial for the proper functioning of our skin, so using them in daily skincare routines can help to ensure that our skin is functioning as well as it can be, and is hydrated and preventing the entry of allergens and irritants. Ceramides can also be very beneficial when managing the symptoms of common skin conditions such as eczema.”

Which skin types need to use ceramides?
“All skin types need ceramides, as they are the most crucial component of our skin’s lipid layer. Everyone should include a well-formulated ceramide product in their skincare routine!  For people with normally healthy skin who are looking to boost skin hydration, the QV with Ceramides range is a great start. For people with dry skin, and especially people living with dry skin conditions such as eczema, the QV Dermcare range is the way to go.”

What other ingredients can and can’t be used with ceramides?
“Cholesterol and free fatty acids are the other major components of the stratum corneum lipid layer, and are essential for the proper function of ceramides. Alongside these, ingredients such as lactic acid and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) complement the beneficial effects of ceramides by boosting the skin’s ability to create ceramides.”