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What are Phytoceramides?
- Plant-derived versions of ceramides – lipid compounds naturally are present in the skin.
- Along with cholesterol and free fatty acids, ceramides act as a cement, keeping cells of the skin together (outermost layer), which protects against water loss, physical damage, infection, and aging.
- Like collagen, ceramides are important for maintaining young and healthy skin, but decrease during the aging process causing dryness, eczema, and other skin conditions.
- In the past, you could find many supplements and skin care products that contained ceramides derived mainly from cows, however many of these products/creams were not effective due to poor skin penetration/absorption.
- Phytoceramides on the other hand are derived completely from plants; i.e. wheat, rice, potatoes, and are designed to work exactly like traditional ceramides. They deliver great amount of hydration to combat dryness which increase the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrated skin is plump, appears smoother, and a healthy texture.
- Phytoceramides are also developed as an oral supplement alternative to help the skin from the inside-out.
Where Phytoceramides derive from?
- Wheat (Triticum vulgare)
- Corn
- Rice
- Sweet Potatoes
- Konjac
- Lipowheat- not yet a clear source; branded wheat-derived phytoceramide supplement ingredient used in clinical trials to improve skin hydration
What Phytoceramide do for our skin:
- Phytoceramides can help increase our ceramides in our skin to help reduce signs of aging.
- Oral Phytoceramides work to restore the protective barrier, hydrate from the inside-out by helping skin cells stick together to hold in moisture
- Oral Phytoceramides take about four weeks to see results due to cells repairing damaged skin.
- Ceramides make up about 35-40% of lipid compounds which help bind cells in the outer layer (stratum corneum) in the skin.
- Helps retain the skin’s moisture, keeping it plump, hydrated, and wrinkle-free.
Safety:
- Approved by FDA
- Safe for most individuals
- Those with a gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy should be careful and avoid Phytoceramides that are derived from wheat and look for Phytoceramides that are derived from rice, sweet potatoes, or Konjac.
How to use it:
- Common dose- 350-700mg, one a day
- Using a topical Vitamin C and oral Phytoceramide can provide the most benefit for the skin