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Some skin care ingredients get a lot of buzz for their noveltywere looking at you, snail mucin.
Tanja Ivanova/Getty Images
Others have earned their attention through years of science-backed results, and ceramides certainly fall in that tried-and-true category.
For starters, theyre wildly effective: Dermatologists regularly tout the many health and beauty benefits of ceramides.
And theyre also a bit of a unicorn since just about everyone can reap those rewards.
In short, yes, you should probably start using themespecially if youre dealing withdry skinor sensitivity.
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are lipids (a.k.a.
fatty molecules) that exist naturally in the skin.
Thats a resounding yes, according to all of the experts we spoke with.
But what exactly can ceramides do for your skin?
The science on ceramides is pretty encouraging, especially for people with eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Feel like theAHA serumorretinol creamyoure using is starting to wreak havoc on your skin?
Dr. Penzi says that applying a product with ceramides before using otheractivescan calm your face down.
Similarly, moisturizers containing ceramides may have a particularly important role to play in treating breakouts.
How to use ceramides in your skin care routine.
Because of what they naturally do (i.e.
The good news: There are plenty to choose from, including a bunch of affordable drugstore finds.
For example, ceramides are a fixture in CeraVe products (ceramide…CeraVe…get it?
CeraVe
Daily Moisturizing Lotion (19 oz.)
Amazon
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (19-oz.)
Aveeno Skin Relief Intense Moisture Repair Body Cream (11-oz.)
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer (2.5-oz.)
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream (1.7-oz.)
In other words, it isnt like one key in is superior to others, she says.
Ultimately its not worth paying a ton of attention to the exact ones youre applying, Dr. Katta adds.
As long as any kind of ceramide is involved, youll be giving your skin a hydrationand overall healthboost.
