Ceramide Moisturisers
Strengthening Your Skin Barrier
Ceramide moisturisers have taken the Australian skincare scene by storm, and for good reason. Dermatologists suggest them, and research shows they help our skin stay healthy and protected.
If you've been curious about including a ceramide moisturiser in your routine, you've come to the right place. Let's dive into the world of ceramides and discover how they can transform your skin.
Understanding Ceramides and the Skin Barrier
Ceramides are a type of fat, or lipid, naturally produced by the skin, playing a key role in forming your skin's protective barrier. Imagine your skin barrier as a "brick and mortar" wall—your skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides, along with other lipids, act as the mortar that holds everything together, maintaining a strong and healthy barrier. This structure helps keep moisture in and harmful elements out, ensuring your skin stays smooth and hydrated.
Learn More About The Skin BarrierThe Role of Ceramides in Skin Health
Ceramides play a particularly significant role, constituting approximately 50% of this vital lipid mix. Most skin disorders that have a diminished barrier function present a decrease in total ceramide content. A healthy skin barrier keeps moisture in and protects the skin from harmful things in the environment.
As we get older, our skin makes fewer lipids. This can cause dryness, irritation, and other skin problems. Less ceramides in the skin can weaken the skin barrier. This can lead to skin problems like dryness, swelling, flaking, and a greater risk of eczema or dermatitis.
It's important to understand ceramides and what affects their levels in our skin as we age. This knowledge helps us keep our skin healthy. Knowing how to boost ceramide levels can help us take better care of our skin. This way, we can make smart choices for healthier and better-looking skin over time.
The Lipid Barrier
More Than Just Ceramides
While ceramides are essential, they’re just one part of maintaining a healthy skin barrier. The lipid barrier also relies on free fatty acids and cholesterol. A well-formulated ceramide moisturizer, like Leitin's Water Bomb Face Cream, includes all three vital lipids to effectively restore and replenish the skin’s natural barrier for optimal hydration and protection.
Ceramides
50%
Ceramides are produced through three methods: synthetic, plant extraction, and bio-fermentation. Our ceramide complex combines all three, creating highly stable and skin-compatible ceramides. Skin identical ceramides come in 5 different compounds, each playing a vital role in maintaining the skin’s barrier and overall function. Our formualtions use a multi-method approach, ensuring optimal effectiveness in supporting skin health and hydration.
Cholesterol
40%
Cholesterol is naturally found in products containing animal fats, or lanolin, which is derived from the natural oils secreted by sheep and extracted from wool during processing. However, cholesterol can also be synthesized to create bio-identical versions that replicate the skin’s own natural cholesterol. Alternatively, it can be plant-derived through the production of phytosterols, which mimic but are not identical to cholesterol.
Free Fatty Acids
10%
Free fatty acids are commonly sourced from botanical oils like Jojoba, Rosehip, and Almond oil, which are packed with a variety of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. While fatty acids can also be produced through fermentation and synthetic methods, we prioritize lipid-based skincare by incorporating botanical oils to make more holistic, skin-loving formulations. These oils not only nourish the skin but also enhance the overall health and balance of your skin barrier.
Benefits of Ceramide Moisturisers
The benefit of using a ceramide moisturizer is that it’s one of the most effective ways to replenish your skin's lipid barrier. The lipid barrier can only be restored through topical application of moisturizers rich in essential lipids like ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. These vital components work together to strengthen the skin’s barrier, lock in moisture, and protect against environmental stressors, helping to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and resilient.
The 6 Types of Free Ceramides
There are six ceramides commonly used in skincare, with each playing a distinct role in maintaining the skin’s barrier and overall function.
Here are the 6 types of ceramides used in skincare:
Our Ceramide Moisturisers
When shopping for a ceramide moisturiser. Choose products that have a mix of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. The mix should be similar to what your skin naturally has.
Leitin's formulations are carefully balanced for optimal skin barrier support.
Our moisturizers include ingredients that work together in synergy to infuse skin with much needed mositure and fortify the skins natural barrier, leaving you with a radiant, dewy complexion that exudes health and vitality.
Go To Face HydratorThe Daily Face Hydrator is a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream that delivers a skin-identical blend of 3 ceramides and lipids to boost hydration and protection. It helps restore the skin’s protective barrier, and features non-animal-derived cholesterol for a cruelty-free formulation that nourishes and revitalises skin for a healthy radiant glow.
Ceramides
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Advanced Lipid Complex
Fatty Acids
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Fatty Acids
Squalene
Wax Esters
Go To Water BombThe Water Bomb Face Cream is our ultimate aging solution. Formulated with a powerful synergy of 4 ceramides in a lipid-based blend, it combines mimetic long-chain ceramides with short bioactive ceramides to deliver targeted care for aging skin. Promotes skin regeneration, ehanced barrier function for long-lasting hydration and resilience.
Ceramides
Ceramide EOS
Ceramide AP
Ceramide NS-6
Ceramide NS-16
Ceramide NS-22
Ceramide NS-16
Ceramide NP-22
Advanced Lipid Complex
Fatty Acids
Cholesterol
Phytosterols
Wax Esters
Sterol Esters
Squalene
Triglycerides
How to Incorporate a Face Moisturiser into Your Skincare Routine
Integrating a moisturiser into your skincare routine can enhance your skin's health and appearance. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Cleanse
Step 1
Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, or makeup from your skin. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Toner
Step 2
If you use a toner, apply it at this stage. This helps to balance your skin's pH and prepare it for the subsequent steps.
Serums
Step 3
If you use a toner, apply it at this stage. This helps to balance your skin's pH and prepare it for the subsequent steps.
Face Lotion
Step 4
Disperse a small amount of our Face Hydrator onto your fingertips. Gently massage it into your face and neck using upward motions.
Tips for Maximising the Benefits of Your Ceramide Moisturiser
Apply to Damp Skin
Apply your ceramide moisturiser to slightly damp skin for enhanced absorption.
Apply in order
Use your ceramide moisturiser after water-based serums and before thicker oils or sunscreen.
Be Consistent
Use your ceramide moisturiser regularly for best results. It might take a few weeks to see big changes in your skin's barrier
Pair with Gentle Cleansers
Use a pH-balanced, gentle cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils..
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Ceramide Moisturisers
1.
Ceramides Are a Cure-All for Skin Issues
While ceramides are incredibly beneficial, they're not a magic solution for all skin problems. They work best as part of a comprehensive skincare routine, so Leitin offers a range of complementary products.
2.
You Need Multiple Ceramide Products
One well-formulated ceramide moisturiser, like Leitin's Water Bomb Face Cream, is usually sufficient. Multiple ceramide products should not be layered unless specifically recommended by a dermatologist.
3.
Natural Ceramides Are Better Than Synthetic Ones
Synthetic ceramides are often more stable and just as effective as natural ones. What matters most is the overall formulation of the product. Leitin uses high-quality, scientifically proven ingredients in its formulations.
4.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Lipid Profile
Ceramides are important, but a good moisturiser should think about all the fats in the skin.This includes other essential lipids like fatty acids and cholesterol.
Surface lipids, produced by the sebaceous glands, also play a vital role in maintaining skin health. They help keep the skin supple and protected.The concept of a "Water Bomb Face Cream" takes this comprehensive approach to the next level. Leitin's Water Bomb Face Cream mixes ceramides with important fats and moisturising ingredients. This strong cream helps with many skin issues.
Conclusion
Ceramides play a crucial role in anti-aging. As we age, the natural production of ceramides declines, leading to a weakened skin barrier and an increase in moisture loss. This can result in the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and a rougher skin texture. By replenishing lost ceramides, skincare products can help to restore the skin’s youthful appearance, improving elasticity and firmness while reducing the visibility of fine lines. Products with ceramides are often combined with other ingredients like peptides or hyaluronic acid to enhance their anti-aging effects.
The ability of ceramides to soothe and calm the skin is another significant benefit. Individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea often experience redness, irritation, and inflammation. Ceramides help to restore balance to the skin by reinforcing the lipid barrier, making the skin less reactive to external stressors. This leads to a reduction in irritation and helps the skin recover from damage more quickly.
Moreover, ceramides work in synergy with other lipids in the skin, such as cholesterol and free fatty acids, to maintain the structural integrity of the skin. This combination of lipids ensures that the skin remains resilient, flexible, and capable of withstanding environmental aggressors. When the balance between these lipids is disrupted, skin can become more prone to dryness, cracking, and irritation. Skincare products that contain a balanced combination of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids are particularly effective in restoring this balance and enhancing the skin’s overall health.
In addition to their protective and hydrating properties, ceramides can also be beneficial in addressing pathological skin conditions. Studies have shown that individuals with conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and ichthyosis tend to have lower levels of ceramides in their skin, leading to a compromised barrier and increased inflammation. By incorporating ceramide-rich products into their skincare routine, individuals with these conditions can help to improve their skin’s barrier function, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms.
In conclusion, ceramides are a vital component of healthy skin. Their ability to strengthen the skin’s barrier, provide deep hydration, reduce signs of aging, and calm irritation makes them an essential ingredient in many skincare formulations. Whether used to address specific skin conditions or as part of a daily skincare routine to maintain overall skin health, ceramides offer a wide range of benefits that help the skin look and feel its best. For individuals with dry, sensitive, or aging skin, incorporating ceramide-rich products can be a game-changer, providing long-lasting hydration and protection.
Sources
- Coderch L, López O, de la Maza A, Parra JL. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(2):107-29. doi: 10.2165/00128071-200304020-00004. PMID: 12553851.