Are Ceramides The New Must-Have Anti-Aging Product?

Phytoceramide capsules were one of the products that Dr. Oz recently recommended while explaining how you can look ten years younger. These plant-based ceramides were mentioned along with Vitamin C serums and cleaning your skin with brushes like the Clarisonic. Dr. Oz explained that these three habits would be enough to make you look ten years younger. But what are phytoceramide capsules and why were Hemp Genixthey recommended? Do Phytoceramides Work? Phytoceramides are similar to ceramides but are derived from plants. This lipid hydrates your skin and gives it a plump and supple appearance. You can find a lot of supplement with phytoceramides that are derived from wheat. A lot of foods such as wheat flour contain ceramides. Dairy products, eggs, soybeans and other foods contain sphingolipids and ceramides. There are plenty of ways to introduce more ceramides in your diet and don't need any supplements to meet your dietary requirements. There aren't any proofs that phytoceramides make you look younger. There is no independent research on these capsules and how they will benefit your skin. I was able to find a study that looks at phytoceramide capsules and at the perceived improvements on dry skin after taking the capsules. This is a study that was conducted by Hitex, a company that produces wheat extracts and other similar products. I also found some references to different Japanese studies that demonstrated that a defficiency in ceramides could result in dry skin, but these studies did not look at whether or not the capsules were efficient. Will Ceramides Give You Younger Skin? Ceramides are naturally found in the human skin. Ceramide six is the most common type of ceramide found in the human skin. Ceramides can be found in the four layers of the skin and their role is to create a barrier that helps prevent infections and that helps the skin preserve its moisture. As a result, low levels of ceramides can result in dry skin, wrinkles or dermatitis. Ceramides were believed to be one of the structural components of the lipid bilayer that can be found in the cell membranes. Some recent studies found that ceramides are actually a signaling molecule and that their role is to send messages. This apostosis message indicates which cells should die. A lot of studies have looked at ceramides and at how these molecules could be used to treat cancer. Can You Get Results With Topical Applications Of Ceramides? There are some ceramides creams on the market, like Hemp Genix that you can find online. A Japanese study looked at how a ceramide gel was able to hydrate the eyelids of eight different people. The study found that the skin had higher hydration levels after four weeks of this treatment. A French study looked at how a topical ceramides application with other skin lipids helped strengthen the skin barrier. Another study looked at how a ceramide gel treated dermatitis. I was able to find a study on sphingolipids made from ceramides that were applied topically to make the skin look younger. Applying ceramides topically can be a good addition to your skin care routine. Elizabeth Arden products have been using this ingredient for years but these products can be overpriced. I looked at the Truth In Aging archives and was able to find different products that contain ceramides and other efficient anti-aging ingredients.