Ceramides & Fatty Acids: The Structural Lipids Behind Resilient, Radiant Skin
There’s a moment, often subtle but unmistakable, when our skin begins to behave differently — less elastic, more reactive, slower to recover from stress. For many, this shift begins in the 40s. It’s not sudden, and it’s not just about dryness. It’s a change at the structural level: a gradual depletion of ceramides and essential fatty acids, the foundational lipids that help keep the skin barrier strong, supple, and protected.
The skin barrier: more than a moisture shield
To understand why ceramides and fatty acids are vital, it helps to look at the skin’s outermost layer — the stratum corneum. Often likened to a brick wall, this layer is composed of corneocytes (the bricks) held together by a lipid matrix (the mortar). This lipid matrix is what gives skin its ability to retain water, defend against environmental irritants, and resist sensitivity.
What makes up this matrix? Three primary lipids:
-
Ceramides (≈50%)
-
Cholesterol (≈25%)
-
Free Fatty Acids (≈15–20%)
Together, they form lamellar bilayers — tightly organized, multi-layered lipid sheets that maintain skin integrity. When the ratio or structure of these lipids is compromised, the result isn’t just dry skin — it’s barrier dysfunction.
Why ceramides decline after 40
With age, the skin’s ability to synthesize ceramides decreases significantly. Studies show that ceramide levels can drop by over 30% by midlife, affecting both water retention and overall barrier function. At the same time, enzymes responsible for lipid metabolism slow down, leading to rougher texture, heightened sensitivity, and diminished resilience.
This isn’t merely an aesthetic concern — it impacts how skin feels, functions, and heals.
Phytoceramides: plant-sourced solutions that mimic the skin’s own
At TellurideGlow, we formulate with phytoceramides — ceramides derived from plants — that are biomimetic, meaning they closely resemble those naturally found in human skin. Our formulas include glycosphingolipids, a type of complex lipid that integrates seamlessly into the skin’s lamellar structure, helping restore its natural architecture.
You’ll find these phytoceramides in all three of our core hydrating treatments:
These aren’t just passive moisturizers — they’re barrier builders, helping the skin rebuild what time and environment gradually erode.
Why ceramides alone aren’t enough: the role of efas
For ceramides to function optimally, they need a complete lipid matrix. That’s where essential fatty acids (efas) come in — nutrients the body cannot produce on its own but are vital for healthy skin function.
Our formulations include cold-pressed, whole-plant oils rich in efas, including:
-
Omega-3 (ala): fights inflammation, supports membrane fluidity
-
Omega-6 (la): rsupport barrier resiliance, reduces tewl
-
Omega-7 (pa): promotes healthly skin and elasticity
-
Omega-9 (oa): softens and strengthens dry, depleted skin
Our bioavailable delivery system
Unlike highly refined oils stripped of their nutritional content, we cold-process our botanicals to preserve their lipid profile in its full-spectrum state. This not only improves efficacy, it supports better absorption and synergy with skin lipids.
• Aspen Dew hydrates with micro-molecular hyaluronic acid and phytoceramides, priming the skin for lipid infusion.
• The Purist replenishes sensitive skin with a fragrance-free blend of jojoba, cloudberry, and chamomile — all rich in efas.
• The Alpine brings antioxidant potency with sea buckthorn, cloudberry, and moringa — botanicals that thrive at altitude, just like your skin aspires to.
Alpine plants: nature’s lipid strategists
Plants that grow in harsh, high-altitude climates are exposed to intense uv radiation, extreme wind, and dry air — conditions that mirror the challenges our skin faces daily. To survive, these botanicals produce natural lipids, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that help them retain water and resist cellular damage.
Ingredients like edelweiss, arctic cloudberry, and rosehip don’t just sound poetic — they contain adaptive plant intelligence that actively improves the skin’s lipid balance and response to stress.
Rebuilding skin, layer by layer
The goal of replenishing ceramides and fatty acids isn’t merely to soften or smoothe the skin. It’s to support the very architecture of healthy skin. A strong lipid matrix allows the skin to function as it should — protecting, regenerating, and glowing with quiet strength.
Whether you’re newly navigating skin changes in your 40s or you’ve long sought a more foundational approach to skincare, the solution lies in restoring what’s biologically essential — not masking it.
Explore the ritual:
Our two-step system — essence followed by serum — delivers complete lipid-layer support with only the purest alpine-sourced ingredients. Because radiant skin isn’t just hydrated. It’s fortified.
