What's the difference between ceramides and hyaluronic acid?
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid have different benefits, and have both become popular for good reasons. Lately, hyaluronic acid has been getting all the hype, but we believe ceramides deserve its day in the sun.
While ceramide and hyaluronic acid are both important components of the skin and play different roles in maintaining its health and appearance, we chose to spotlight ceramides in our newest launch, our 2% Ceramide Barrier Boost.
What are ceramides, and how do they work?
Ceramide is a type of lipid (fatty compoud) that is naturally present in your skin's barrier. It helps maintain the skin's moisture balance, protect against moisture loss, and support its barrier function.
Imagine your skin as a layer of bricks, with ceramides being the "mortar" gluing all the bricks together to form a wall. Ceramides therefore bolster your skin barrier, keeping the good stuff (like moisture) in, and keeping the bad stuff (like environmental aggressors) out.
A compromised skin barrier runs the risk of increased irritation and sensitivity. By "locking in" moisture and maintaining hydration balance, ceramides contribute to smoother, plumper, and more resilient skinO
Ok, what about hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant has become popular and associated with "moisture", and its ability to attract and retain water has been touted in many moisturizer formulas. Like ceramides, it is also naturally present in your skin's barrier, and hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate the skin by drawing and binding moisture. Hyaluronic acid's superpower actually helps temporarily plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
I have sensitive skin: which one is better for me?
While hyaluronic acid is great for hydrating the skin and providing that temporary "plumping" effect we love, it doesn't provide any benefits or additional skin barrier support on its own. Comparing the two, ceramides actually can help protect, repair, and restore a damaged skin barrier.
Ceramide-rich products are particularly beneficial for individuals with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin in need of barrier repair and support. That's why we formulated with a potent 2% ceramide concentration plus other moisture-retaining desert botanicals (what can keep moisture better than a flower than grows in a desert?).
Final verdict?
Both ceramides and hyaluronic acid have unique properties and important roles to play in skincare, and even play well with each other! However, when it comes to skin barrier support, moisture balance and suitability for dry and sensitive skin, you can't go wrong with ceramides.