Last month on our blog we started this anti-ageing series with a look at two Vitamin A and hyaluronic acid (HA). Two ingredients that work very effectively to keep the skin looking healthy, youthful and glowing.
This month we look at the role of ceramides in our skin’s anti-ageing regime.
Ceramides are often called the ‘wonder ingredient’ in skincare. Is this hype or truth?
The International Institute for Anti-Ageing (iiaa) put together all the available research to help us answer this questions.
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are a type of fat that form a key part of the out layer of our skin. Ceramides act like a glue that holds all the skin cells together. They are a protective barrier that ‘waterproofs’ the skin – keeping skin hydrated while keeping bacteria and pollutants out.
HA and ceramides work well together – attracting and maintaining water in the skin.
Ageing and external factors (diet, pollution, UV light) deplete the ceramide levels in our skin.
Vitamin A and ceramics
What does Vitamin A have to do with the ceramides in our skin?
While many skincare products contain ceramides, it is more effective to give your skin the tools to make its own.
Without going into too much scientific detail, it comes down to this:
Vitamin A supports the creation of a healthy outer skin layer, and these healthy outer skin cells release fats (ceramides) when they die.
This seems a fitting place to recomment Environ’s Skin EssentiA and Youth EssentiA ranges. Two product ranges that have vitamin A as the main ingredient – repairing and rejuvenating the skin to give it a more youthful complexion.
Plant-based ceramides
Taking ceramides in oral form, through supplements also achieves amazing results.
The drawback of these supplements was that, up until a few years ago, they were made from animal sources. When scientists discovered plant-based ceramides, the Advanced Nutrition Programme (ANP) jumped on this immediately.
Knowing that gluten-free, wheat-derived phyto-ceramides can help to restore a damaged protective skin barrier, and reduce free radicals (atoms that can damage cells) in the skin, led to the development of ANP’s Skin Moisture Lock™.
Anti-ageing supplement
After 4 years of research behind all the ingredients, Skin Moisture Lock™ was launched last month. This supplement combines ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Research showed that HA improved wrinkle depth by 19% and hydration by 11%, within just 7 days. Ceramide also demonstrated to improve the skin’s hydration levels after 4 weeks and reduced crow’s feet after 8 weeks. And wait for it… collagen (responsible for improving skin elasticity) increased by 48%!
All products released into the market undergo rigorous testing and the unique combination of ceramides and HA truly achieves astonishing results.
