Gold-standard ingredients like retinol and vitamin C have had the skin-care spotlight for years, but ceramides are also critical for aging skin, and we lose them as we get older. I consider them an essential ingredient in my routine to keep my skin barrier strong and healthy. How do ceramides work exactly? Dermatologists love to use this analogy: Think of your skin like a brick wall. Your skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides are a main component in the mortar that holds those bricks together. Without the mortar, the bricks would loosen and the wall would fall down. Incorporating a ceramide-rich serum and moisturizer is a great idea, no matter your skin type, and the one I’ve been loving lately is Elizabeth Arden’s Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum. Here’s why.
The Benefits of This Ceramide Serum
What really sets this serum apart is that it’s housed inside single-dose, biodegradable capsules, which keeps the fragrance-free formula fresh and potent by protecting it from light and air. (You also don’t need preservatives.) We know for certain that light and air can degrade skin-care formulas over time, especially those with ingredients that are typically unstable, like retinol. Another thing I love about the use of capsules is that the brand is telling you exactly how much you need for one application on your face and neck. After speaking to family and friends over the years, I know most people use more than they need, assuming “more is better.” When it comes to face serums, that’s not true.
The key ingredients doing the hard work to make skin firmer and healthier are ceramides 1, 3 and 6 and tsubaki oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids. There’s also a botanical complex in the mix, which is a blend of alfalfa extract, hydrocarbons from coconut oil and lipids from olives. Together, they help improve moisture levels in the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Cholesterol, linolenic acid, vitamin E, sea fennel extract and phytosphingosine round out the barrier-supporting squad. A small amount of retinyl palmitate (retinol) was also included for collagen-boosting and line-smoothing benefits.
Over time, with consistent use, this serum improves firmness, radiance and hydration. I’ve also noticed my skin is much smoother and softer. All skin types can benefit, even sensitive skin. In clinical testing, the formula proved to take up to 10 years off the look of participants’ skin. If you’re someone who wants to strengthen your skin barrier while also targeting signs of aging, this is a great product to try.
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How to Use Them
Twist the little tab around the top of the capsule to remove it, and then squeeze the serum onto your fingertips. Apply to your face and neck, and if you have some left, massage it down to your décolleté as well. The texture is lightweight, nongreasy and absorbs quickly. I also really appreciate how easy it is to travel with these capsules because I can just put the exact number I need into my little travel skin-care case, and don’t have to worry about a mess or anything else.
The capsules come in either 30, 60 or 90 per bottle, ranging from $56 to $125, and you can also choose an auto-replenish option that comes with a discount. And, this ceramide serum plays really nicely with the brand’s other serum capsules, including one of my other personal favorites: Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum. There are also other capsules for brightening, hydrating, dark spot correction, eye care and more.
