As we just discovered, they aid in maintaining the balance and integrity of your skin barrier, which seals in moisture and keeps dangerous irritants out. Ceramides are a naturally occurring substance in your skin that serve to maintain the skin barrier; however, with time, ceramide levels in your skin may decline due to sun exposure and the normal aging process.
Skin that is dry, dull, itchy, or cracked can occur when the ceramide content of the skin barrier is depleted. According to Dr. Liu, transepidermal water loss, which occurs when there is a shortfall, causes skin to evaporatively lose water, resulting in dry skin. Over time, this may contribute to a variety of skin issues and illnesses, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, and others. A weaker skin barrier may be linked to acne, according to research.
For more pleasant, healthy-looking skin, the correct skincare products can support ceramide balance and good barrier function.