Rough skin, early ageing, atopic dermatitis (eczema), hair loss, and frizzy hair are the most common problems that bother many of us. But don’t give up already!
By finding the right skin and hair care ingredients, you can easily make your hair and skin alive again. And if one thing that can define smoother, healthier and firmer skin and hair, it is - Ceramides.
Whether you know about this already or not, Ceramides are an important part of skin and hair care, especially in keeping up moisturisation. Countless research studies are also swearing on the benefits of ceramides to maintain healthy skin and hair. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology has also elucidated the topical efficacy of ceramides. So why wait?! Let’s know more about this superhero for skin and hair!
Ceramides for Skin
Ceramides are fatty acids that occur naturally in the stratum corneum of your skin. This stratum corneum is the outermost layer of your skin that acts as a protective shield against extrinsic factors. Not only this, but it also helps to prevent water loss by forming and strengthening the barrier functions. Here’s a detailed list of benefits of ceramides for skin -
1. Offers deep, long-lasting hydration
The role and importance of ceramides in skin care is plenty; one of them being—offering long-term hydration. Ceramides work towards repairing the damaged skin, enhancing skin hydration, and bettering the barrier functioning of the skin. Also, a research study mentioned in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology has elucidated the benefits of ceramide for skin hydration.
2. Gives firm and supple skin
Ceramides also help to maintain the elasticity and integrity of your skin. It helps to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEW) which helps to make your skin firm, supple in the long run helping you with premature ageing.
3. Balances the skin’s pH levels
Balancing can be a tough thing to get right—especially in skin care. When your skin pH is off-balance, you are more prone to breakouts, eczema, fine lines, and wrinkles. Fortunately, good moisturising ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Mango Seed Butter help to balance out the altered pH levels of your skin.
4. Repairs extremely dry skin texture
Due to various factors like lifestyle changes, pollution, lack of hydration—your skin tends to become dry and flaky. Before the skin loses its sheen and reaches a stage of severely damaged skin, you must consider opting for a moisturiser that’s high on ceramides. Ceramides work effortlessly towards restoring and retaining the moisture content in your skin.
5. Strengthens the skin barrier
According to a research study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, ceramide-based cream has remarkable effects in treating the compromised skin barrier.
Dermatologists explain that in atopic dermatitis or eczema, topical use of ceramides helps to improve the functions. It also helps to retain the moisture in the skin, thereby relieving dry and irritated skin.
Are Ceramides lost with age?
Truth to be told, yes, they are lost!
Dermatologists explain that with the progression of age and prolonged exposure to various pollutants and other extremities, levels of ceramides in your skin begin to reduce. This further gives rise to numerous skin conditions like dry skin, acne, wrinkles, and skin irritations.
Regardless of this fact, adding and using skin care products that contain ceramides help to reinforce barrier functions which in turn gives you healthy and supple skin.
Can I use ceramide daily?
Of course you can! Dermatologists recommend using ceramides daily mainly in the form of moisturisers. You may use it even twice a day. So nourish your skin with the goodness of ceramides anywhere anytime!
Ceramides for Hair
If you spot a lustrous and healthy bunch of hair, know that the hair strands are high on ceramide!
Ceramides are a kind of lipid that’s considered to be a natural component of your hair cuticle. The cuticle is considered to be the hair’s defence layer, which when closed, gives your hair shine, health, and long life. Ceramides are also known to keep the hair cuticle closed that prevents external damage while strengthening hair strands.
1. Restore the shine in the hair
Ceramides are excellent conditioning agents that help to give you smooth and shiny tresses. It restores the natural shine of your hair by offering the ultimate hydration to your damaged and dehydrated hair.
2. Repair chemically damaged or colored hair
The use of ceramides hair mask is found quite effective in repairing color-treated hair. Ceramides fortify your hair by strengthening the cuticle structure and maintaining the elasticity of the hair.
3. Strengthens hair
When your hair is dry, dehydrated, damaged, or frizzy—ceramides are the superheroes that can do all the savings. Ceramides work on the scalp and hair by thoroughly protecting it from any further damage.
The raised cuticle can let moisture escape from the hair, leading to hair breakage. But ceramides help to keep the cuticle closed and restore the moisture, giving shine to your hair and making it strong.
4. Improves hair texture
Exposing the hair to excessive treatments like hair straightening, coloring, curling, etc. can lead to hair damage. This also increases the chances of friction that can lead to easy hair breakage.
Using products that are rich in ceramides like hair masks can decrease the friction coefficient, which in turn, reduces the chances of hair breakage due to abrasions and friction.
Conclusion
Just like how nothing in life comes easy, having good hair and skin doesn’t come easy. You work hard to get that perfect selfie (the best selfie is the one that comes after your 99 unsuccessful attempts, isn’t it?). In the same way, you need to put in extra efforts to get good hair and skin by following the best skin care and hair care routine.
Ceramides simplify the work for you, so the next time you go shopping for great hair care and skin care products, ensure that they contain ceramides in them. Remember, your skin and hair make you look wonderful, so they deserve the best.