Ceramides Benefits for Skin: Why Your Skin Barrier Needs Them

Simply put, these are gummy, lipid-rich molecules that actually make up about half of our skin’s outer barrier. It's the connective glue that keeps your skin barrier ‘watertight’ and keeps out infection, irritants and damaging pollutants. When your skin is becoming dry, irritated and flaky – chances are there are cracks forming between your natural skin cells.  

Not only does it form a physical barrier, ceramides are also a vital part of keeping your skin pH in balance (for vital enzymes to function), controlling your immune system, keeping skin cool and ensuring the complex machinery of your body is working correctly.  

Ceramides, however, can get depleted over time. This can be noted by reddened, inflamed skin, scaling, tight feeling and skin texture becoming rough. 

Without this protective barrier all of the water in your skin simply evaporates and leaves your skin feeling immeasurably dry.

Your protective skin barrier can be worn down over time – but becomes especially vulnerable due to washing with harsh soaps, using overly hot water, sitting in front of dry heating too long or not drinking enough water. All this compounds over time to your skin becoming dryer, duller and less able to maintain its protective layers. 

If you're struggling with dry skin, an amazing first step is taking less hot showers (try to keep it cool to lukewarm to prevent forced evaporation) and adding in an exfoliator to your routine.

It’s best to use ceramides towards the end of your beauty routine, creating a neat sealant that keeps your skin-boosting ingredients and moisture trapped inside. This is why ceramides are most commonly found in rich moisturizers and creams, forming a nourishing protective barrier. 

Start your routine with agents that hydrate and boost your skin’s glow (such as hyaluronic acid, bamboo, birch extract), then seal it in well with a boost of ceramides. Try to use your ceramides before thicker barrier or gel creams to ensure maximum hydration of these ingredients. 

Enhance your hydration with this enriching serum boosted with 5 different types of ceramides, soothing panthenol and balanced with exfoliating AHA and PHA. This coupling creates an immediate glassy effect, whilst absorbing quickly and leaving a perfectly lightweight finish. It's soothing nature is perfect for dry skin and sensitive skin to really boost your hydration. It's layers give you the perfect skin for that underneath make-up glow.

This deeply refreshing, soothing mist comes from one of the top K-beauty sensitive skincare brands - Haruharu Wonder. Enriched with NAD+ enzymes to boost fine lines and repair your skin biome, it's also enriched with soothing ceramides and probiotics to create a rich and lasting protection (with ultra-light application). In just a few users, you'll achieve whisper-soft skin and gentle hydration that's perfect for irritated or damaged skin. It can be used as a toner, serum or on top of make-up for a dewy refresh and finish.

Experience ultra-deep hydration with one of K-beauty's favourite moisturisers. This rich, gummy cream absorbs deeply into the layers of your skin to deliver 100 hours of lasting hydration. This is one of the ultimate moisturizers for dry skin users who can't get enough moisture into their skin barrier. Perfect for overnight care and sealing in your other skincare products for rich, textured glow.

If you want your ceramides to boost fine lines, whilst working flawlessly with your make-up routine - this Dr Jart+ Ectoin cream is a long-time favourite. Ectoin is a natural amino acid that super-charges your skin's moisture, cools redness and helps stabilize your skin barrier long-term for a refreshed appearance that lasts. It is thick, but absorbs deeply and quickly for a revitalizing finish that you'll become addicted to.

If you're looking for a silky, smooth and revitalizing glow, this ceramide-enriched barrier cream is the ultimate finish to any skincare routine for dry and sensitive skin. Infused with 1% patented long-chain ceramides, nourishing panthenol and beta-sitosterol it helps prevent collagen loss, reduce damage within skin and protect against wrinkles and fine line formation. It is the ultimate, lightweight and revitalizing barrier cream that helps vanish all signs of irritation and damage.

If you are struggling with dry, dull, damaged or irritated skin - chances are ceramides can make a world of difference for you. Not only does it help restore your skin biome to it's former glory, it helps immediate manage hydration levels and calm your immune system to reduce redness, flaking and irritation. It's the K-beauty secret to an unparalleled and healthy, dewy finish.

Looking to explore the secrets to glowing, dewy skin? Check out the fabulous range of custom K-beauty available on Arktastic. Explore all our favourites; from old-school K-beauty to brand new releases delivered straight to your door!

Want to learn more about the world of K-Beauty? Check out our guide to caring for dry skin to vanish flakiness. Or check out our guide to reducing your skin's natural redness for a healthy shine: