Have you ever wondered what your skin is made up of and why some ingredients are essential in the skin care industry? Let’s dig a little deeper!
There are layers to the skin, and two major ones, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer, composed of other layers, and has direct environmental exposure. For example, the stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis and sheds every 28 days. The skin is very biologically active and needs specific molecules to function optimally and regulate how the skin cells turn over, stick together, and maintain an epidermal barrier. These components that help maintain the epidermis include ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol.
Ceramides are found primarily in the stratum corneum and regulate skin cell turnover, helping to keep the skin cells tightly together to prevent water loss (and keep infection out). I want you to think of it like bricks and mortar, where the bricks are the skin cells and the mortar are the ceramides. Are you getting enough mortar daily?
Many known skin disorders have been related to a decrease in the number of ceramides, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. This results in a decrease in the skin’s barrier function. Rosacea is also a condition with a disruption of the skin barrier so it essential to wear a moisturizer daily. If you suffer from these conditions, you may benefit from a ceramide-based moisturizer such as CeraVe or Cetaphil Pro. It is also known that aging can decrease the ceramide content in the skin, so be sure to include a ceramide-based moisturizer as part of your daily anti-aging routine!
Diva Tip:
Getting a ceramide-based moisturizer within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower or bath is best to help lock in the moisture! Make sure you do this to your face and body EVERY day of the year!!!
MUAH!💋
