Our Best Ceramide Moisturisers: Finding the Perfect Match

   

Understanding Skin Hydration: The Importance of a Good Face Moisturiser

Quality moisturisers hydrate and protect the skin barrier, which is vital for healthy-looking skin. Why? The skin barrier protects the skin from external aggressors while holding water in. When it becomes compromised - through environmental aggressors, harsh skincare, or lifestyle factors - trans epidermal water loss can occur. Trans epidermal water loss is simply a term to describe water escaping from the skin.

That’s why incorporating a good quality moisturiser enriched with ingredients such as ceramides and humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, into your daily skincare regime, is essential for maintaining a healthy barrier function. This makes it more resilient to elements in our everyday lives such as harsh weather, stress or the drying effects of central heating.

   

What is a Ceramide? The Science Behind Moisturising

The skin is made up of essential lipids which are crucial for keeping the skin hydrated and the skin barrier in good condition. Dermatologists describe them as the glue that holds the skin cells together, and that’s what makes them so good for the skin barrier - they keep hidden irritants out and water in.

Ceramides are simply a type of lipid and make up approximately 50% of our natural levels. All CeraVe products are formulated with three essential ceramides. Our formulas help support optimal barrier function and help ensure you have hydrated, calm, and radiant skin.

Choosing the Right Facial Moisturiser: A Guide for Every Skin Type

Not sure how to choose the right moisturiser for your needs? Read our simple checklist.

• Understand Your Skin Type

  Before choosing a moisturiser, it’s important to think about your skin type: dry, oily, combination, balanced or sensitive. If you’re not sure, ask the advice of a professional dermatologist or skin expert and they can help you. This will ensure your moisturiser addresses your concerns effectively.

• Check the Ingredients

  Once you understand your skin type, you can look for the ingredients that will benefit it the most. For example, ceramides and humectants like hyaluronic acid are ideal for dry skin that has a compromised skin barrier, while exfoliating salicylic acid and niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of imperfections and congestion in oily, blemish-prone skin.

• SPF is Essential

  Applying broad-spectrum SPF to your face each day is essential for protecting the skin from the damaging effects of cumulative UV exposure. Long-wave UVA is present all year around, not just in the summer months, so it should be a non-negotiable in your skincare routine. If you don’t want to overcomplicate your routine, consider a moisturiser with built-in SPF protection. It’s important, however, to make sure the SPF within it is as high as possible (a minimum of 30) to ensure you’re getting adequate protection. If you are being directly exposed to the sun, remember to reapply frequently and generously.

• Make Sure It’s Non-Comedogenic

  The term non-comedogenic means that a skincare formula won’t clog your pores. This is especially important if you have an oily or blemish-prone skin type, but it can be beneficial for all.

• Test and Adjust

  Sometimes you won’t get it right the first time, even with lots of research, so be prepared to try different products and adjust them based on your skin’s response. If you have very reactive skin, it’s also worth doing a patch test first before applying liberally. Need more help? Read our in-depth article on How To Choose a Facial Moisturiser for Your Skin Type.

Our Best Ceramide Moisturiser for Every Skin Type

At CeraVe, we have a moisturiser for every skin type. Read on to find out which one is best for your concerns.

Dry Skin: CeraVe Moisturising Cream Pot

Our Moisturising Cream offers intense hydration for dry and very dry skin with a formula enriched with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It helps to strengthen the skin barrier and give dry skin the extra support it needs to defend itself from environmental factors.

Oily Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you may consider skipping the moisturiser in fear of making your concerns worse. But even oily skin needs moisturiser to keep the barrier strong and healthy. Without it, your skin can become dry and create even more oil to compensate.

Rather than skipping it, choose a moisturiser that's suitable for your skin type such as CeraVe’s oil control moisturiser. Formulated with oil-absorbing technology, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides, it helps absorb excess oil while maintaining the condition of your skin barrier and providing long-lasting hydration without the shine.

Combination Skin: CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion

If you have a combination skin type, you’ll need a moisturiser that tackles both dry and oily areas of the face. CeraVe’s Daily Moisturising Lotion is a lightweight option that’s suitable for everyday use, while CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a great option for the winter months when you want something a little richer for drier patches. You can also follow this with a barrier-protecting nighttime moisturiser such as CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion.

Balanced Skin: All CeraVe Moisturisers

If you have a balanced skin type with no real concerns, you can choose from any CeraVe moisturiser to maintain your healthy barrier. Our Daily Moisturising Lotion is a good option if you prefer a lightweight texture while CeraVe Moisturising Cream is richer and intensely hydrating. CeraVe AM Facial Lotion SPF50 is a great daily moisturiser that has the added benefit of protecting your skin from UVB and UVA rays, helping prevent sun-induced signs of ageing.

Sensitive Skin: AM Facial Lotion SPF50

CeraVe formulations contain minimal ingredients which is great news for those with sensitive skin. This means you can choose a moisturiser based on your preference such as the gentle yet effective CeraVe AM Facial Lotion SPF50 or AM Facial Lotion SPF30. These moisturisers help to strengthen the skin barrier, hydrate and soothe sensitive skin, and protect it from harmful UV rays.

Read more on the specific needs of men and what to think about when choosing a moisturiser here.

How to Apply Moisturiser on the Face

Wondering where moisturiser should come in your everyday routine? Follow this step-by-step regime.

1. Cleanse
   Start by cleansing your face and neck with a cleanser suited to your skin type. Gently massage it into the skin for around a minute before washing off with lukewarm water.
2. Gently dry the skin
   Next, pat the skin dry with a soft towel, taking care not to rub or scrub the skin.
3. Gently massage a pea-sized amount of moisturiser in upward circles
   If you use a serum, apply this to the skin first and follow with a pea-sized amount of moisturiser. Gently massage it into the skin in upward circles. This will ensure you cover the face evenly while also stimulating blood flow.
4. Leave to absorb
   If you are following your moisturiser with makeup, allow it to absorb fully into the skin before doing so. A few minutes should suffice.

Sealing in Radiance: Your Path to Perfectly Moisturised Skin

Choosing the right moisturiser is key to maintaining a healthy looking, glowing complexion. By understanding your skin's needs and the best ingredients for your skin type, you can select the perfect product from our range. Dive into our comprehensive range of facial moisturisers to find your ideal match.

FAQS:

How often should I moisturise my face?

You should moisturise your face twice a day: in the morning and evening. This will help to keep your skin barrier strong and your skin hydration levels optimal.

How much moisturiser should I use on my face?

A pea-sized amount is adequate for the face and neck. However, if the moisturiser contains SPF protection, you should aim for around a teaspoon to ensure you’re receiving optimum protection.

What is the best moisturiser for the face?

The best moisturiser is the one that suits your skin type the best. Richer textures are ideal for drier skin while more lightweight, oil-free formulas are more suited to oily and blemish-prone skin. Moisturisers containing ceramides are also beneficial to all skin types as they can help to keep the skin barrier in good condition.

What does moisturiser do?

Moisturiser helps to hydrate the top layers of the skin and make it feel more comfortable. It also helps to keep the skin barrier strong and less susceptible to elements that can compromise it - such as the environment, stress, or lack of sleep. If the skin barrier is already compromised and the skin is dry and sensitive, it can help to replenish the skin.

What is SPF moisturiser?

An SPF moisturiser is simply a moisturiser formulated with additional SPF protection to protect the skin against UV radiation.

What is the best moisturiser for mature skin?

As we age, the skin’s natural levels of essential lipids and proteins such as hyaluronic acid start to deplete. As they also play a structural role in the skin, their reduction leads to sagging, lines, and wrinkles. Choosing a moisturiser for mature skin enriched with ceramides and ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can help to improve the skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of ageing signs.

What is a skin barrier?

The skin barrier is a term used to describe the skin’s front-line defense, also known as the stratum corneum. This wall is made up of different types of lipids including cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids. It plays a very important role in keeping your largest organ (the skin) in good condition. It’s also responsible for keeping water in the skin and its overall texture firm and smooth.