What are ceramides?
Ceramides are waxy lipids that make up roughly half of the lipids between the cells of the skin’s outer layer. Picture the outer layer of skin as a brick wall: the skin cells are the bricks and lipids like ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are the mortar.
The Ceramide Complex in Advanced Defense Serum uses three skin-identical ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP), plus phytosphingosine, one of the natural building components of ceramides, and cholesterol.
What ceramides do for skin
Ceramides help support a healthy-looking skin barrier. A strong barrier holds on to moisture and helps keep out everyday irritants, so skin feels soft, smooth and comfortable instead of tight or dry.
How it works
The skin’s own ceramide levels can drop with time, dry weather, harsh cleansing and sun exposure. When the mortar thins, water escapes more easily and skin can feel dry or reactive. Applying skin-identical ceramides helps replenish the barrier’s lipid layer.
Each ceramide has a slightly different role. Ceramide EOP helps link the lipid layers together, while Ceramide NP and AP help keep them well organized. Cholesterol helps the lipids pack correctly, and phytosphingosine supports the skin’s own ceramide production.
Why MEG 21 uses it
A comfortable, well-supported barrier makes every other ingredient work better. In Advanced Defense Serum, ceramides are one of the four pillars of SP-IV Complex™: they help hold in the water that hyaluronic acid and glycerin bring in, support skin while peptides do their work, and sit alongside Supplamine®, which helps protect collagen from glycation.
How to use it in your routine
Apply Advanced Defense Serum to clean skin, then seal it in with your MEG 21 treatment or moisturizer. Ceramides layer well with every other ingredient on this page. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, try a gentler cleanser and apply the serum while skin is still slightly damp.
Who is it for?
Ceramides suit every skin type and are especially helpful for dry, dehydrated, sensitive or easily stressed skin. They are a good fit if your skin feels tight after cleansing, reacts to weather changes, or is going through a more active routine.
