Skincare Tip by Fatma Gunduz

Skincare tip of the week

Nourish and protect your skin barrier

This week’s Skincare tip is from Skin & Sanctuary’s Senior Aesthetician, Fatma Gunduz. Those of you who have met Fatma will know her passion for protecting your skin and her awesome knowledge about which ingredients do it best - something which at this time of year, let alone in lockdown conditions, is invaluable. Fatma advises that now is a great time to focus on nourishing and protecting the skin barrier with the use of ceramides.

Ceramides are naturally part of our body, found at the highest concentrations in the uppermost layer of our skin (the stratum corneum). They are an essential part of our protective barrier so boosting them will result in a more hydrated, supple, plumper complexion that’s less susceptible to irritation. They might not have the sexy appeal of the Vitamin As or Cs of the skincare world but Fatma says “think of ceramides as the mortar between bricks - if the bricks are your skin cells, ceramides help to hold the skin together.” In addition, “they are one of the anti-ageing ‘powerhouses’ responsible for supporting skin’s dynamic nature.”

Unfortunately, ceramide levels naturally begin to decline from around the age of 30 onwards, so supplementing your skin barrier’s existing lipids with topical ceramides will help skin to stay smooth and plump for longer. The fact that ceramides also help to prevent inflammation can in turn reduce dehydration, fine lines and rough skin texture caused by environmental damage too, making skin more resilient over time. Products containing ceramides also help the efficacy and results of other skin care products and is the ingredient to help your skin heal if you’ve overdone it with another favourite, retinol.

To find out which other products contain ceramides or which would be the best for your unique skin ask Fatma directly. During lockdown not only can she advise you from the safety of your home but we can also arrange for delivery of her recommendation to your front door.