Ceramides

Ceramides are the mortar between your skin cells — the lipids that stop water escaping and irritants getting in. When that layer is depleted, skin stings when you apply things, goes red for no reason, and stays dry no matter how much you slather on.

That is a barrier problem, not a hydration one, and no amount of hyaluronic acid fixes it. Water needs something to hold it in.

If you have been over-exfoliating, or a new active has left your skin reactive, this is the shelf to come to. Pull back everything else for two weeks and use only a gentle cleanser and a ceramide cream. It comes back.