ceramides
Waxy skin molecules
Ceramides are waxy lipid molecules found naturally in skin cell membranes, where they help retain moisture and maintain the skin's protective barrier.
The term appears most often in skincare marketing, where ceramide-containing products claim to restore or strengthen this barrier: a moisturizer with ceramides, ceramide-infused serum.
In biochemistry, ceramides play roles in cell signaling and are precursors to other lipids.
Hydrating skin cream
- emollientSubstance that softens skin
- serumBlood's watery portion
- anti-agingCounteracting effects of time
- replenishingRestoring to fullness
nourishing · elasticity · sensitive skin · dermatologist · epidermis · cream · lotion · restorative
Organic molecules in fats
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- glycolipidsSugar-bound membrane fats
- triglyceridesThree-chained fat molecules
saturated · unsaturated · lipophilic · hydrophobic · adipose · bilayer · long-chain
Living production of molecules
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- apoptosisProgrammed cell death
- bioactiveAffecting living tissue
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
lipogenesis · endoplasmic reticulum · homeostasis · permeability · insulin resistance · autophagy
Lipids with phosphate groups
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- fluidityState of flowing freely
moisturizer
Hydrating skin cream
- emollientSubstance that softens skin
- serumBlood's watery portion
- anti-agingCounteracting effects of time
replenishing · nourishing · elasticity · sensitive skin · dermatologist · epidermis · cream · lotion · restorative · gentle
fatty acids
Organic molecules in fats
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- glycolipidsSugar-bound membrane fats
triglycerides · saturated · unsaturated · lipophilic · hydrophobic · adipose · bilayer · long-chain
biosynthesis
Living production of molecules
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- apoptosisProgrammed cell death
- bioactiveAffecting living tissue
enzymes · lipogenesis · endoplasmic reticulum · homeostasis · permeability · insulin resistance · autophagy
phospholipids
Lipids with phosphate groups
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
ceramidesproteins
Amino acid polymers
peptides · amino acids · nucleic acids · carbohydrates · polysaccharides
ceramidessurfactants
Agents reducing surface tension
detergents · solvents · alcohol · astringents · acetone
ceramidesomega-3 fatty acids
Essential polyunsaturated dietary lipids
cholesterol · phospholipids · free fatty acids · triglycerides