Ceramides as anti-aging helpers - the newly discovered miracle weapon!

Ceramides support your skin in daily life. Your sensitive protective coat is exposed to many influences every day. A strong skin barrier ensures that unwanted substances simply bounce away. The special fats in the form of ceramides counteract moisture loss and strengthen your skin's natural barrier.
The beauty industry, scientists and users are increasingly interested in these little helpers to slow down aging processes.

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are special fats that your skin needs to maintain the skin barrier. Experts also refer to the fats as sphingolipids. Ceramides are an integral part of the skin. As is well known, it consists of different layers to guarantee protection from environmental influences and body temperature regulation. The epidermis (upper skin), the dermis (dermis) and the subcutis (undercutaneous skin) work together to create the protective layer effectively.
Ceramides are found in the top layer of skin, where they make up the main component of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum, in turn, consists of fats (lipids) and water. By providing these two components, dead skin cells combine to create a unique skin barrier.

Which ceramides are there?

There are a total of 9 different types of ceramides that can be found in our skin. The respective structures of the ceramides differ.

• Ceramides 1 – EOS
• Ceramides 2 – NS
• Ceramides 3 – NP
• Ceramides 4 – EOH
• Ceramides 5 – AS
• Ceramides 6 – AP
• Ceramides 7 – AH
• Ceramides 8 – NH
• Ceramides 9 – EOP

Ceramides for beautiful skin

As remarkable skin flatterers, ceramides are the new insider tip for good reason. They play an important role in protecting the outer protective layer from numerous influences.
It is believed that free radicals contribute significantly to the aging process of the skin. Free radicals are aggressive oxygen molecules that we are inevitably exposed to every day.
The skin has to deal with numerous “attackers” every day. Some pollutants bounce off the skin without causing any damage. Ceramides play a crucial role in this because they strengthen the protective layer. They also ensure that the skin is well moisturized. In this way it looks delicate and youthful and can fulfill its protective function.

Every skin benefits from ceramides

Due to their properties, ceramides can be used for different purposes. They are particularly popular in the anti-aging sector. Here they are used to reduce wrinkles and make the skin appear firmer. However, anyone who takes a closer look at ceramides realizes that they can do something good for every protective layer. After all, they are a crucial component of the skin and, together with other players, ensure that the skin layer is more impenetrable. You can imagine the whole thing as a wall with bricks. Simply stacking the stones on top of each other does not provide sufficient protection. Only the mortar (ceramide) ensures that a stable bond is created.
No matter whether you have aging, normal or demanding skin, ceramides should always be part of it.

Ceramides: 3 areas of application

Now that we have taken a closer look behind the scenes of ceramides, we would like to introduce you to the possible areas of application of the clever fats.

1. Ceramides as an anti-aging ingredient

The natural aging process can be seen primarily in our skin. What many people don't know is that the aging process begins at a young age. The skin begins to age at the tender age of 25. The processes are not immediately recognizable. They run in the background and only become noticeable in the following years. Then fine lines form, especially around the eyes. Over the years, the depth of the wrinkles increases. This may be because, among other things, your skin loses hyaluronic acid and ceramides as you age. Ceramides act as an anti-aging ingredient - they support the basic structure for a strong barrier. Since the fats work to improve the skin's hydration, you may notice fewer wrinkles and a rosier complexion after use.

2. Ceramides as a helper for dry skin

If you consistently suffer from dry, flaky skin, this is an indication that the skin barrier is disrupted. What is often labeled as normal can have far-reaching consequences. After all, the skin barrier is important to protect us against external attacks. If the skin barrier is disturbed, your skin is too generous with moisture. It lets more moisture out than it should. What remains is an unpleasant feeling on the skin, which can only be counteracted with lots of creams. Sometimes there are harmless triggers to which the symptoms can be attributed. These include aggressive washing surfactants that you have unintentionally incorporated into your skin care routine. However, there may also be a disruption in ceramide synthesis, i.e. the formation of ceramides. Then ceramides supplied from outside could be helpful.

3. Ceramides for skin diseases

There are a variety of skin diseases that bring different complaints to the fore every day. People with psoriasis, neurodermatitis and dermatoses could find relief by using ceramides. In fact, researchers have found that ceramide precursors counteract moisture loss and increase the amount of ceramides in your body. In addition, some experts assume that the ceramide concentration is lower in selected skin diseases. In this case, the solution could be to supply ceramides from outside.

Ceramides: Studies

>> Link to the study

Since ceramides are outstanding components of the skin, it makes sense to take advantage of the potential of the fats. Studies have examined whether this is actually possible in everyday life. Exciting results emerged. A study initially found that the desired fats not only decrease with age, but also in the cold winter months.
A human, randomized, controlled study gave researchers a deeper insight into how externally administered ceramides work. The focus was on 60 women with dry skin. They were all between 30 and 60 years old. The study participants received either a placebo (dummy substance), CERAMOSIDES™ powder or CERAMOSIDES™ oil. The last two products are ceramides from a specific manufacturer, more on that later.

The following observations were made in the CERAMOSIDES™ group:

• 75% of the participants had less feeling of tension on their skin.
• 80% of the test subjects noticed a reduction in skin flakes.
• 80% of the study participants noticed an improvement in the appearance of their skin.
• 85% of the test subjects described their skin as softer and more supple.

How are ceramides made?

What is particularly exciting is that your organism can produce ceramides itself. A complex production process takes place in your body. The result is an ideal composition of different types of ceramide. The key to this is membrane lipids. As already mentioned, it is believed that there can be an imbalance of ceramides in the body. Then it should be helpful to supply the clever lipids from outside. In fact, ceramides can also be produced outside the body.
The branded ceramides CERAMOSIDES™ are in great demand here. This is a synergistic complex that is produced using a patented process. The basis for this is wheat, which is free from genetic manipulation. The lipid extract from wheat can help you refine your skin and make it appear firmer.

Ceramides: Better to cream or swallow?

Ceramides are available in both cream and capsule form. You will particularly often come across helpful lipids in cream form. The decisive advantage here is that they can work on the spot. However, oral intake is becoming increasingly popular. There are good reasons for it.
According to the theory, the useful building blocks are better utilized if they are available orally. This could be particularly helpful if there is a ceramide imbalance.
Capsules that contain ceramides are also particularly suitable for filling with other nutrients. In particular, antioxidants that intercept free radicals or substances that promote healthy skin can be cleverly combined with lipids.

Vitamin C, vitamin B12, zinc and hyaluronic acid – all four have outstanding properties that are already established in the beauty and health sectors. But what really makes them unbeatable is their interaction. When combined, they complement each other perfectly and can therefore ensure a radiant and refreshing complexion and help you achieve new well-being.

Ceramides and vitamins – an unbeatable power team

In order to keep the ceramide level in your skin constant, in addition to taking it regularly, you should also protect your ceramides from free radicals. Because they prey on reaction partners and can thus harm your body. So-called antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and thus protect the cells from oxidative stress.

One of the most well-known representatives of antioxidants is vitamin C. Not only does it strengthen our immune system, but as an anti-aging vitamin it also contributes to healthy skin by supporting the production of the body's own collagen and strengthening the skin's collagen structure. This represents the optimal basis for radiant and wrinkle-free skin.

In addition to vitamin C, vitamin B12 is also a vital component for our organism. Because it has a key function in numerous metabolic processes in the body by, among other things, stimulating blood formation and contributing to the normal functioning of the auxiliary system. Since the human body cannot produce enough vitamin B12 independently, it must be consumed through food. Vegetarians and vegans in particular often suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, as vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal sources

As the third member of our power team, Zink presents himself as a true all-rounder. Similar to vitamin B12, zinc plays an essential role in cell division and is involved in protein metabolism. When our skin is constantly renewing itself, zinc plays a large part in this transformation process. So it is not surprising that zinc is often used externally for acne and skin irritations. The trace element acts as a physical barrier for our skin and can block free radicals and UV rays. In combination with vitamin C, the zinc is absorbed more effectively and can therefore develop its full effect.

Hyaluronic acid rounds off the power quartet as an anti-aging hero. Hyaluronic acid is a substance produced naturally in the body and is mainly found in our connective tissue, where it binds water and gives the tissue the necessary strength and fullness. The resulting volume gives the skin firmness and can therefore reduce wrinkles. In order to maintain hyaluronic acid levels as we age, the body needs certain nutrients, such as: B. Vitamin C and zinc.

Sources:

1. https://www.awmf.org/uploads/tx_szleitlinien/013-027l_S2k_Neurodermitis_2020-06-ablaufen.pdf
2. Simpson E, Böhling A, Bielfeldt S, Bosc C, Kerrouche N. Improvement of skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis patients with a new moisturizer containing a ceramide precursor. J Dermatologist Treat. 2013 Apr;24(2):122-5. doi: 10.3109/09546634.2012.713461. Epub 2012 Sep 19. PMID: 22812593. H
3. https://vitasation.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CERAMOSIDES.pdf
4. Rogers J, Harding C, Mayo A, Banks J, Rawlings A. Stratum corneum lipids: the effect of aging and the seasons. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996 Nov;288(12):765-70. doi: 10.1007/BF02505294. PMID: 8950457. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8950457/