Ultra Rich BalmSuperfruit ConcentrateAn astonishing 41% of UK consumers consider skincare with ceramides to be a must-have. But what are ceramides, where are they and do they actually benefit your skin and hair? In this article we answer those questions and more, and discover how the plant kingdom – as it often does – can offer many solutions.
What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides are one of the lipids (fats) that are naturally found in the outermost layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) and in your hair cortex. Only properly understood in the last 30 years, a large number of different ceramide types have now been identified of which Ceramide NP is the most well-known.
How do Ceramides Benefit the Skin?
Ceramides play a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function and hydration, they:
- Reinforce the Skin Barrier
Ceramides act like mortar between skin cells (the "bricks"), keeping the skin barrier strong and intact. A healthy barrier prevents moisture loss and blocks out irritants, allergens, and pollutants.
- Improve Moisture Retention
Ceramides help form a water-impermeable layer to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This keeps skin hydrated, plump, and soft.
- Support Skin Repair
Skin that's dry, irritated, or compromised (from eczema, acne, over-exfoliation or washing with harsh detergents) often has low ceramide levels.
For these reasons, ceramides are now increasingly added to skincare to help replenish and restore the skin’s natural lipid content.
Are Ceramides in Skincare Natural?
No, not always.
Pseudo-ceramides are lab-made versions that mimic natural ceramides. Most ceramides that are synthesised don’t have sufficient affinity with the skin. They don’t absorb well and can potentially cause skin damage.
Some skincare contains plant-derived ceramides which incorporate better into the skin.
However, several pure plant oils contain lipids that mimic or support ceramide function—either by replenishing essential fatty acids or by helping stimulate the skin’s natural ceramide production.
As usual, nature often provides clever solutions!
Does Odylique Have Skincare with Ceramides?
While true ceramides are complex molecules not found in most plant oils, we use certain oils that are rich in phytoceramides (plant-based ceramide-like compounds) or have lipid profiles similar to the skin's natural barrier, making them excellent ceramide mimics.
Sea buckthorn oil is rich in sterols and fatty acids that can help stimulate ceramide synthesis and improve skin barrier integrity over time.
That’s why we use sea buckthorn widely, in our Ultra Rich Balm, Superfruit Concentrate, Lipsticks and many more!
Sunflower Seed Oil is high in linoleic acid (omega-6), a key fatty acid for ceramide synthesis. It supports natural ceramide production as well as being lightweight and non-comedogenic. You’ll find our high-oleic sunflower oil in our Natural Sunscreen, Timeless Rose Moisturiser and Coconut Candy Scrub.
Jojoba Oil is very similar to human skin lipids, so it helps stabilise and support the skin barrier. Our product picks with jojoba oil include mineral eyeshadow, lipsticks, Timeless Rose Moisturiser and Superfruit Concentrate.
