The Best Way To Moisturize Your Skin If You’ve Got Psoriasis Or Eczema
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People usually associate dry skin with winter, but the reality is that it can cramp your style (and flake up your face) all year long.
And if you have eczema or another drying skin condition, that struggle is all the more real.
If you've tried half the moisturizers in your drugstore with no success, you want to start scouring labels for this key ingredient: ceramide.
What is ceramide?
A ceramide is a molecule made of essential fats, says Jennifer MacGregor, M.D., Union Square Laser Dermatology. Ceramides are naturally found in the upper protective layers of the skin—but they can also be infused into moisturizers and cleansers.
What do ceramides do?
You've probably seen creams and moisturizers at Sephora with a big "ceramide" label splashed all over them. That's because ceramides are insanely good moisturizers.
They help restore your skin's barrier function, which keeps water in and prevents moisture from escaping out, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
By strengthening your skin's barrier, ceramides also help create a protective insulation that blocks bacteria, environmental pollutants, and other junk from getting under your skin.
Ceramides are especially helpful if you have eczema and psoriasis, says MacGregor, since people with those conditions tend to naturally have fewer ceramides in their skin than those with normal skin.
Ceramide content also decreases with age, which contributes to skin getting drier as you get older—making it a great addition to your anti-aging routine.
How do you use ceramides?
If you've got dry or sensitive skin, ceramides should definitely be in your skin-care lineup.
Look for them in both your cleanser (like Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cleanser) and moisturizer (such as CeraVe Daily Moisturizer) so that you get a potent hit of ceramides at every step in your routine, says Jaliman, and apply twice daily for longest-lasting results.
You can also pair your ceramide with a prebiotic to boost the protection and moisture levels of your skin, since prebiotics reduce levels of bad bacteria that can wear away at ceramides.
Eating a diet rich in fatty acids like oily fish, nuts, avocados, and seeds can also help boost natural skin ceramide production—so dig in. Your skin will thank you.
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