Ceramides: what experts should know

In healthy skin, the intercellular lipid matrix is composed of roughly equal parts fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides—and ceramides remain the most mysterious of the trio. They form a unique crystalline structure in the upper layers of the epidermis that not only protects the skin from pathogens and aggressive molecules, but also retains moisture, controlling transepidermal water loss.

Ceramides are unstable

High temperatures, harsh household chemicals, regular soaps, and harsh skin cleansers can destroy ceramides. Therefore, you should avoid steaming your face and use protective gloves when cleaning. Smoking, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation are also harmful. In addition, the level of ceramides in the skin decreases with age, which is why the skin becomes drier and more sensitive.

Diet also matters: a low-fat diet is often accompanied by dry skin, hypersensitivity, and premature wrinkles. Taking certain medications, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, can also contribute to ceramide deficiency. And this is a direct path to dryness, itching, irritation, and the development of dermatological disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.

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