What are ceramides and how can they keep your skin healthy this winter?

With the cold weather creeping up on us, our skin may need extra help to stay healthy and hydrated this winter.

And one group of ingredients you need to know about are ceramides. A buzzword that’s popping up everywhere in the skincare aisles at the moment, they’re great for soothing dry or irritated skin.

Here’s everything you need to know about ceramides and how they can help your skin this winter...

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are lipids that occur naturally in the skin, and help to bind skin cells together – kind of like the grouting between tiles. This creates a strong skin barrier, which in turn helps to prevent moisture loss, and irritation from environmental factors.

Why do I need to use skincare that contains ceramides?

Ceramide production decreases as we age, and your levels can also be depleted by cold weather and dry heat such as central heating. This can result in skin feeling especially dry, rough or itchy at this time of year, and looking less smooth and plump. 

This is especially common around the eye area, where the skin is thinner and naturally more prone to moisture loss.

What are ceramides in Skincare?

We love London Botanical Laboratories Avocado + CBD 8-Hour Miracle Fill Eye Cream, which contains ceramide NP (sometimes also called ceramide 3), a ceramide with a chemical structure identical to those found in the skin. The formula also has other lots of other skin-friendly ingredients: antioxidant-rich avocado oil, moisture-locking glycerin and soothing CBD.

A 20ml tube usually costs £49 but you can find it inside the OK! Beauty Box, which is currently only £2.99 in the Black Friday sale, running until 29 November – that’s 80% off the usual monthly cost of £15. This month’s Go Glam Edit also includes four more fabulous skincare and makeup treats, worth over £94 in total.

How else can I prevent ceramide loss?

Don’t wash with water that’s very hot or very cold, avoid sun overexposure, and go gently with the exfoliants. If the air in your home is particularly dry, a humidifier may also help to reduce moisture loss from the skin.