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Posted By: Salisha Talwar on November 24 2022 at 05:35 PM
Ceramides and peptides are two skincare ingredients that offer a variety of benefits for the skin. Ceramides help maintain the skin’s barrier function and prevent moisture loss, while peptides stimulate collagen production and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So, can you mix these two powerful ingredients in your skincare routine and achieve even better results? The answer is yes! Ceramides and peptides can be used together to create a potent skincare cocktail that will hydrate and nourish your skin while reducing the signs of aging and skin damage caused by environmental aggressors. What are Ceramides? Ceramides are chemical compounds that come from a family of waxy lipid molecules. This type of chemical substance occurs in high concentrations in the cell membrane because these substances tend to form lipids that make up the sphingomyelin (one of the major lipids in the cell membrane). Therefore, ceramides can take part in many different cellular signaling processes, including the proliferation of cells and programmed cell death. Ceramides are also the main components of the outermost layer of the skin known as the stratum corneum. They, alongside other naturally occurring components in our skin, create a protective layer on the skin’s surface and prevent excessive water loss from our body; therefore, they are directly involved in maintaining the skin barrier and also preventing harmful microorganisms from the environment from invading our body through the skin. This tells us that ceramides are incredibly important for skin health, and when there is an imbalance where the skin does not have enough ceramides, it can lead to a number of skin problems such as dryness, itching, redness, as well as inflammatory conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, etc. The Benefits of Ceramides for the Skin Being the main component of the outermost layer of the skin tells you that ceramides are essential for skin health. Ceramides help keep the skin moisturized and hydrated by preventing water loss from the body. They also help repair and restore the skin barrier, and this helps the skin deal with inflammation better. Studies have shown that the topical application of ceramides can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as soften rough and textured skin. Ceramides can also help protect the skin from harmful environmental stressors such as UV rays and pollution. Therefore, some of the main benefits of using ceramides in your skincare routine include: Increased hydration. Strengthened skin barrier. Reduced environmental and UV damage to the skin. Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Improved firmness. Potential Side Effects of Using Ceramides Ceramides are generally considered safe for most people to use; however, as with any skincare ingredient, there is always the potential for side effects. Additionally, if you are experiencing unwanted effects such as dryness, irritation, or breaking out while using a product that contains ceramides, it doesn’t necessarily mean that ceramides don’t work for you. It could mean that your skin is reacting to another ingredient in that product, and this could be anything since any ingredient has the potential to cause a reaction for some skins. Therefore, if you are experiencing side effects and discomfort, it’s best to discontinue using the product or, if you really want to give it another chance, try adjusting your skincare routine around it. What are Peptides? Peptides are short chains of amino acids and the building blocks of tough, durable proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin, which are responsible for our skin’s texture, tone, elasticity, firmness, and function. So, by default, peptides are crucial for healthy skin, and there are hundreds of different ones made from different combinations of amino acids naturally occurring in our bodies. Even though we naturally have peptides in our bodies, we start to lose around 1% of collagen per year when we hit our late twenties, and this leads to our skin’s natural communication channels slowing down over time. Therefore, when applied topically, peptides penetrate the outer layer of the skin and act as messengers that trigger the skin cells to perform specific functions such as building collagen and elastin, thus encouraging the skin to look and “behave” younger. The Benefits of Peptides for the Skin Peptides are primarily used for anti-aging purposes; therefore, some of the benefits these components offer are: Reduced wrinkles and fine lines. Firmer skin. Smoother skin texture. Evened out skin tone. Plump and hydrated skin.' Potential Side Effects of Using Peptides While peptides are generally considered safe, like with every other skincare product, there are a few potential side effects that could occur when using them. These include: Redness. Itchiness. Burning. Breaking out. Allergic reaction. Experiencing these side effects doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is bad or that peptides particularly don’t work for you. It simply means that your skin is rebelling against something in that product, which could be due to ingredients like fragrance, etc. So, if you still want to give peptides another shot, try using them on their own without mixing them with other actives in your skincare routine, or if you suspect a particular product is causing your skin to become irritated, trying out a different peptide product could be a useful alternative. Can You Mix Ceramides and Peptides? As I already mentioned in the intro of this article, the simple answer to this question is yes! You can mix ceramides and peptides without any major issues. Both ceramides and peptides offer a variety of benefits for the skin, and when used together, they can create a synergistic effect that further improves the skin’s health and appearance. However, while there are no major issues with mixing these two together, it’s important to note that using too many products with active ingredients can lead to skin irritation and other problems. Therefore, if you’re going to use products with both ceramides and peptides or you are already using other actives in your skincare routine, it’s important to start slowly and see how your skin reacts to the new products before you increase usage.
Posted By: Salisha Talwar on November 24 2022 at 05:29 PM
What is Dehydrated Skin? Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition that occurs when the skin loses more water than it can retain. It happens to everyone at some point and is usually caused by external factors like weather, lifestyle choices, and skincare products. Dehydrated skin can feel tight, dry, and itchy and can sometimes peel or shed due to the lack of moisture. How is Dehydrated Skin Different Than Dry Skin? Dehydrated skin can appear dry, but these two are not the same. Dehydrated skin is different than dry skin because it is a skin condition, while dry skin is a genetically determined skin type. Additionally, the main difference between the two, even though they often show similar symptoms, is that dehydrated skin lacks moisture, or water, while dry skin lacks sebum or oil. Why is Dehydrated Skin More Prone to Acne? Dehydrated skin is a condition that can be caused by various external factors, including weather, lifestyle choices, and the use of certain skincare products, especially those that contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oil. Now, as I already mentioned above, dehydrated skin is a condition characterized by a lack of water, so why am I now mentioning oil? It’s because our skin needs its natural oil to create a barrier that will prevent water loss. So, when the skin is stripped of its oil, it becomes more susceptible to water loss and, as a result, more prone to dehydration. Additionally, when the skin is dehydrated, it’s more likely to produce excess oil in an attempt to compensate for the lack of moisture. This will then lead to clogged pores because the excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and cellular debris inside the pores and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. This overgrowth of bacteria will then trigger the immune system to release inflammatory compounds to fight the infection, which will cause the redness, swelling, and pain you see on the skin as pimples. And this is why dehydrated skin is more prone to developing acne. Additionally, the issue doesn’t stop there because most ingredients in products formulated to fight acne are also drying, so they can potentially make the problem worse by damaging your skin barrier and making it unable to hang on to moisture. This dehydration can further cause inflammation on the skin, leading to more breakouts and continuing the vicious cycle until you find the right way to fix the dehydration. 6 Ways to Fix Dehydrated Acne-Prone Skin Dehydrated, acne-prone skin doesn’t happen overnight, which is why it also can’t be fixed overnight. These two concerns require a multi-pronged approach that should include both lifestyle changes and the use of skincare products that will help support your skin’s barrier function. Additionally, improvement also requires patience and consistency, as it can take weeks or even months to fix the dehydration entirely and see a significant improvement in your skin’s condition. Here are some of the things you can do to fix dehydrated, acne-prone skin: Wash With A Gentle Cleanser & Lukewarm Water A gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oil is crucial for fixing dehydrated skin. Besides not containing harsh, irritating, and drying ingredients like fragrance and alcohol, also make sure that your cleanser isn’t very foamy and has more of a lather consistency when in contact with water rather than producing a lot of bubbles. Additionally, when cleansing your face, always use lukewarm water rather than hot water, as the latter can further damage your skin barrier. Lastly, while cleansing your skin twice a day is usually recommended, dehydrated skin can make do with just once a day because washing your face too often can further dehydrate the skin. Apply a Hydrating Toner Toners are not necessary in a regular skincare routine; however, they can be helpful in providing an extra layer of hydration when your skin is dehydrated. However, make sure that your toners don’t contain drying alcohol, irritating fragrance, or exfoliating acids. You want something gentle that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, with the addition of soothing components like green tea and chamomile extracts to calm irritation and reduce redness. Apply a Hydrating Serum If you decide to skip the toner, make sure you’re using a hydrating serum as part of your skincare routine. Serums are excellent for delivering a high concentration of active ingredients to the skin because they have smaller molecules that can penetrate deeper. So, look for serums that contain hydrating and soothing ingredients instead of those that contain aggressive actives like exfoliating acids, melanin-inhibiting agents, and drying alcohols. Also, apply your serum while your skin is still damp from either your toner or just washing your face with water to help lock in the hydration. Use a Gentle Exfoliant An exfoliant is not necessarily something you want to go heavy on when your skin is dehydrated; however, these can help keep acne under control while you’re working on fixing your skin barrier. So, instead of exfoliating 2-3 times a week, do this as a part of your evening routine once or twice a week. Additionally, make sure to use an exfoliating product with a low concentration of gentle acids that will help unclog pores and keep the overgrowth of bacteria in check. Apply a Barrier-Repairing Moisturizer Barrier-repairing moisturizers that contain ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids, and soothing components are vital for fixing dehydrated skin. These ingredients help replenish the skin’s natural lipid levels, thus strengthening the skin’s barrier and preventing moisture loss. The soothing ingredients further help reduce irritation caused by dehydration and inflamed pimples. Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen Finally, and most importantly, always remember to apply sunscreen during the day, regardless of whether you stay indoors or go outside. Not only does sunscreen protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that can cause sun damage, but it also forms a protective barrier on the skin that helps lock in hydration and prevent various pathogens from coming into contact with your skin. So, make sure to choose a sunscreen that doesn’t contain drying alcohols or irritating fragrances and has a minimum SPF of 30. 5 Things to Avoid if You Have Dehydrated Acne-Prone Skin On the other hand, there are certain ingredients, products, and lifestyle habits that you want to avoid while healing your dehydrated acne-prone skin. Here are some of them: Drying Skincare Products Skincare products that contain irritating and drying ingredients like fragrance and alcohol or are high on the pH scale, like soap, can further damage your skin barrier and make it difficult for your skin to retain moisture. Instead, look for products formulated with hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients that will nourish and strengthen your skin. Aggressive Skincare Products Having dehydrated skin isn’t a time for rough scrubs or aggressive actives like exfoliating acids, retinoids, or melanin inhibitors like vitamin C, kojic acid, or hydroquinone. These aren’t necessarily bad, and there’s nothing wrong with using these actives to address various skin concerns; however, if you’re using them while your skin is already dehydrated, you’re just going to end up exacerbating the problem. Hot Water Hot, scorching water strips the skin of its natural oil, leaving it dry, tight, and irritated. And as I already mentioned above, when the skin is stripped of its natural oil, it becomes more susceptible to water loss and, as a result, more prone to dehydration. Certain Foods Certain processed foods, like pastries, candy, cereal, etc., can cause dehydration and a spike in insulin levels, triggering inflammation and exacerbating acne. Additionally, drinks like alcohol and caffeine can also lead to dehydration, so it’s best to limit your intake if you’re trying to clear up your skin. Unhealthy Life Habits Stress, not sleeping enough, smoking, etc., are just a few unhealthy life habits that can worsen dehydration and acne. For example, smoking has been shown to exacerbate acne by activating acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that stimulates the sebaceous glands into producing excess oil and is directly affected by nicotine. Stress and not sleeping enough, on the other hand, can actually weaken the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to inflammation and infection.