Description of Ceramide

Ceramide is a type of lipid (fat molecule) naturally present in the skin and hair. It is one of the main components of intercellular lipids. These lipids contribute to controlling water permeability and maintaining skin conditions without being occlusive.

Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules. A ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid. Ceramides are found in high concentrations within the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells since they are component lipids that makeup sphingomyelin, one of the major lipids in the lipid bilayer.

Specifications of Ceramide

Effects of Ceramide on the Skin

1. Moisturizing Effect: Ceramide is a major component of the lipids in the skin's stratum corneum. It helps repair the skin barrier, making the skin soft and radiant.
2. Barrier Function: When the skin has sufficient ceramide, it can resist external irritants. However, if ceramide is lacking or absent, the skin loses its natural protective function, leaving it defenseless against physical, biological, and other external damages.
3. Anti-Allergic Effect: Ceramide helps thicken the stratum corneum, enhancing the skin's overall tolerance.

Effects of Ceramide on the Hair

Ceramide can fill the gaps in hair fibers, repairing damage caused by dyeing, perming, or daily wear and tear, making hair smoother and stronger. It also locks in moisture, preventing dryness and frizz, and leaving hair softer and more manageable.

Applications of Ceramide

• Shampoo and hair conditioner
• Skin moisture products 

FAQ:

Q: Can ceramide be used long-term?
A: Yes. It is a relatively gentle skincare product and does not irritate the skin.

Q: Is ceramide water-soluble? A: Yes, it is a water-soluble lipid substance. Its structure is similar to that of the components of the skin's stratum corneum, allowing it to quickly penetrate the skin and bind with water in the stratum corneum, forming a network that locks in moisture.

Read more:

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Ceramides: Which Works Better

Reference:

1. Novotny J, Hrabàek A, Vávrová K. Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of skin ceramides. Curr Med Chem. 2010; 17(21):2301–24.
2. Haimovitz-Friedman A, Kan CC, Ehleiter D, et al. (1994). "Ionizing radiation acts on cellular membranes to generate ceramide and initiate apoptosis". J. Exp. Med. 180 (2): 525–35. doi:10.1084/jem.180.2.525.