As we age our skin loses its natural hydration, elasticity and softness. As a result, it becomes dry, sensitive, uncomfortable and wrinkled. Ceramides act as a ‘skin barrier’, if this barrier is strong and healthy it seals in moisture and hydration but as the ceramides deplete and the barrier weakens – which happens with age – hydration is lost and we begin to see those signs of ageing.

If a youthful glow is what you’re looking for, then phytoceramides might just be the answer.

What are phytoceramides?

Phytoceramides are ceramides derived from plants. What are ceramides? These are polar lipids that are naturally present in skin cells. As already mentioned, they act as a barrier on the skin – protecting the body from the outside environment and locking in moisture. As we age our bodies stop naturally producing as many ceramides which compromises the skin barrier and causes signs of ageing. This is where phytoceramides come in, as they have a similar lipid structure to the ceramides in our skin, supplementing may help replenish ceramide stores.

Benefits of phytoceramides:

Hydration:

One of the primary roles of ceramides is to keep moisture in and guard against water loss. Studies have shown that phytoceramides provide the same benefits, with one study seeing an improvement in skin hydration in women when phytoceramides were applied topically for three weeks. It is suggested that supplementing with phytoceramides is the best way to maximise their moisturising benefits though, with a study of participants with clinically dry skin who were given a phytoceramide-rich supplement for three month seeing up to a 35% improvement in skin hydration.

Fights signs of ageing:

Visible ageing is mostly due to skin stressors such as sun exposure, air pollution, smoking and stress. Ceramides play a key role in managing these stressors, and supplementing with phytoceramides can help ceramides to keep the barrier between harmful environmental toxins and the skin strong. Studies have proven the effects of phytoceramides, with supplementing improving the smoothness and elasticity of the skin in just a few weeks.

How to take phytoceramides:

Phytoceramides can be use topically or taken as a supplement, such as our Phytoceramides – Clinically Proven Formula from Lipowheat®.

About Lipowheat®:

Lipowheat® provides advanced anti-ageing support for skin by restoring vital mechanisms. Intrinsic ageing is characterised by three features: Dermal atrophy due to collagen loss, degeneration in the elastic fibre network, and loss of hydration. Lipowheat® restores skin youthfulness naturally by: Inhibiting collagenase and elastase activity, increasing collagen synthesis, visibly reducing wrinkles and improving overall appearance of skin. By restoring healthy biological mechanisms, Lipowheat® improves skin smoothness and radiance while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20646083/

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/4/4/37/htm