The path to healthy, thriving skin starts with lipids.
Our skin barrier is made of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids—the ‘mortar’ that holds skin cells together. When lipids are low, skin becomes dry, irritated, prone to premature aging and can becomes compromised leading to skin sensitivities and breakouts.
The fix? Replenishing those essential lipids with the right products restores balance, locks in hydration, and strengthens your barrier so your skin looks smooth, calm, and resilient again.
Let's break it down...
1. Barrier Protection
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The outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) is often described as a “brick and mortar” structure: skin cells (bricks) are held together by lipids (mortar).
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These lipids—primarily ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids—form a waterproof shield that prevents irritants, allergens, and pathogens from entering the skin.
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Without adequate lipids, the barrier becomes “leaky,” leading to sensitivity, redness, and inflammation.
2. Moisture Retention
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Lipids lock water into the skin, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Think of TEWL as preventing "water evaporating from the skin"
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This is what keeps skin plump, smooth, and hydrated. A compromised lipid layer leads to dryness, flakiness, and premature fine lines.
3. Repair & Healing
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When the barrier is damaged (from over-exfoliation, harsh cleansers, aging, or environmental stressors), replenishing lipids helps restore balance.
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Ingredients like ceramide-rich creams, squalane, and essential fatty acids mimic the skin’s natural lipids and accelerate repair.
4. Anti-Aging Defense
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With age, natural lipid production declines, which is one reason mature skin often feels drier and more fragile.
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Reintroducing lipids helps improve elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and maintain resilience.
5. Support for Active Ingredients
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A healthy lipid barrier makes active skincare (like vitamin C, retinoids, or exfoliants) more tolerable and effective, since the skin is less reactive and better able to process them.
So now that we have explored the importance of prioritizing healthy lipids in the skin. Let's explore some of our favorite skincare recommendations:
SKINBETTER: Trio Rebalancing Moisturizer. A rich, triple-action formula tailored to reinforce the skin barrier. Features cholesterol, ceramides, essential fatty acids (linoleic & linolenic acids), squalane, plus hydrating humectants like urea and sodium PCA. Clinically noted for reducing fine lines and boosting hydration.
EPICUTIS: Lipid serum + Hyvía Créme. The formulations including TSC, a molecule designed to lower inflammation, block UV damage, protect collagen, and support a healthy microbiome. Hyvia Crème contains caprylic/capric triglycerides, ceramide NP, evening primrose seed oil, shea butter, and other lipids to deeply nourish and strengthen the skin barrier.
OSMOSIS BEAUTY: Rescue MD, Retinals. Osmosis Beauty emphasizes liposomal delivery systems using phosphatidylcholine—a phospholipid that enhances ingredient penetration and supports cellular function. With Rescue MD formulated with a stabilized oxygen molecule to help heal the barrier.
SIV: Biome Balancing serum: with skin supporting lipids this microbiome boost serum contains a "healthy for your skin" type of bacteria using Corum sensing to allow healthy bacteria in the skin to thrive while decreasing the amount of bad bacteria in the skin.
TREATMENTS:
All Facial Infusion facials, Epicutis Facial: using a range of barrier healthy skin ingredients to target specific concerns in the skin to promote healing from within.
Curious about any of these products and if they are right for your skin type. Book an in person facial and consult or virtual options available on our booking link.
