Think ‘Fat’ For Skin Health
Samantha Nikolic discusses ceramides in skin care products and why we need to have them as ingredients in our skin care regime.
Ceramides, Lipids & Cholesterol (CLC) in the human skin have been shown to be important in maintaining normal skin health and are vital in preventing loss of water through the skin that leads to dryness. Skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) are a rich source of ceramides.
Ceramides, Lipids & Cholesterol Skin Benefits:
- Necessary for the skin’s water-retention capacity
- It is vital for the skin’s barrier repair
- Plays important roles in skin cell regulation
- They are major structural and support components of the skin’s outer layers
- They play an important role in cell-to-cell signalling and recent studies have shown their benefits even with medical skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis
In a nutshell: adding ceramides to skincare products can help restore the skin’s barrier and promote healthy skin irrespective of skin concern or skin type.
Lipids in Skin
What Is A Lipid?
A lipid technically means a molecule or compound that is not soluble in water. Fatty substances like animal fats and plant oils are made of lipids.
There are various types of lipids:
- Fatty acids
- Phospholipids
- Glycolipids
- Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Waxes
- Steroids
The lipids in skin are found specifically in the following structures:
- The Stratum Corneum layer of the epidermis: this is the glue that holds the dead skin cells together and traps water
- Epidermis: a free form of fatty acids, cholesterol, and sphingolipids
- Cell membranes
- Sebum: this is the oil produced by the sebaceous glands attached to follicles and when excessively produced predispose us to bacteria and acne or blemishes
Because epidermal lipids are so crucial to the skin’s barrier function, the skin barrier is often referred to as the lipid barrier.
Aging skin is increasingly susceptible to lipid depletion: the loss of natural fats in skin’s surface, present in the form of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. This lipid loss compromises the skin’s natural protective barrier, resulting in signs of accelerated aging, as skin loses its ability to effectively self-repair. The visible effects in skin include roughness, dullness, uncomfortable tightness, and loss of facial fullness.
What That Means For You and Me:
Very simply put lipids are vital in maintaining our skins health and vitality and most importantly keeping moister in.
Skin Products With Ceramides, Lipids & Cholesterol:
SKINCEUTICALS TRIPLE LIPID RESTORE 2:4:2
I hope the above article was beneficial in understanding the benefits of ceramides in skin care products. Please feel free to send me comments or any questions you may have on your skin concerns or skin regimes.
Kind regards
Dr Alek Nikolic’s PRODUCT Recommendations:
An Anti-Ageing and targeted day and night serum that makes the skin appear lifted, replenished and feeling revitalized. The Derma Lift product from Dermaceutic has a number of unique ingredients: a combination of high performance actives and energizers containing essential minerals which help to restore and hydrate skin and importantly ceramides that help the skins barrier function.
In vivo study:
(The efficacy evaluation of Derma Lift 5.0 on 21 volunteers, European independent clinical research organization, November 2014):
- Up to 124% in skin hydration (69% of volunteers)
- Up to 38% increase in skin elasticity (74% of volunteers)
- 90% of patients agree that this serum deeply hydrates the skin
- 73% of patients agree that skin is firmer after 28 days
- 84% agree it leaves skin hydrated for the entire day
Ingredients in Derma Lift and Their Effects:
- 5% Lifting Peptides Complex:
Stimulates the epidermal synthesis (collagen, elastin) for a visible anti-wrinkle and lifting effect. Prevents the appearance of future signs of skin aging and increases skin elasticity.
- 3% Pullulan Extract:
Immediate tensing agent which provides an immediate lifting effect.
- 5% Bakuchiol:
Repairs and protects damaged and dry skin. Bakuchiol also stimulates the renewal of skin cells and collagen production.
- 1% Ceramides, Panthenol, Allantoin and Mineral Cocktail:
Hydrating and nourishing actives which reinforce the skin barrier and intensely hydrate skin
SKINCEUTICALS TRIPLE LIPID RESTORE 2:4:2:
As we approach winter and especially for those that suffer from dry skin the newly released SkinCeuticals product Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is a must have. As a leader in skin health and research SkinCeuticals is committed to developing skincare products backed by science that provide corrective benefits while promoting overall skin health. The latest addition to their advanced portfolio Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is the result of the brand’s groundbreaking research in Lipidomics, an emerging field studying lipids and their role in skin health. Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 refills cellular lipids to support natural skin repair and nourishment. This anti-aging treatment restores fullness, resurfaces texture, and rediscovers radiance.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
4% Natural Cholesterol:
- Accelerates barrier recovery in aging skin
- Stabilizes the structure of the stratum corneum
2% Ceramide 1 & 3
- Synergistically proven to increase hydration & barrier function
- Unprecedented concentration of ceramide-1
2% Fatty Acids
- High in linoleic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid (omega-9)
- Support overall lipid production
USAGE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- All skin types with signs of accelerated aging
- Rough texture
- Dullness
- Uncomfortable tightness
- Loss of facial fullness
References:
- Contact Dermatitis. 2008 May;58(5):255-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01320.x. Lipids and skin barrier function–a clinical perspective. Jungersted JM1, Hellgren LI, Jemec GB, Agner T.
- Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997 Nov 15;1349(2):171-81. Oxidative damage of human skin lipids. Dependence of lipid peroxidation on sterol concentration. Lasch J1, Schönfelder U, Walke M, Zellmer S, Beckert D.
