Natyucera Cream 8,300yen
Hyaluronic acid has been raved about for the past 6 months or so, mainly in the UK (because of Caroline Hirons?). It holds moisture up to 6000 times its own weight as you may already know. But the fact which doesn't seem to be well-known is that it does evaporate.
Ceramid is also a substance that you already have in your body just like hyaluronic acid. 40-65% of intercellular lipid is constructed from ceramid which means that your skin will be dehydrated and less plumped without it. You lose ceramid in your body as you age, that is why it is important to include skincare items that includes ceramid, to maintain moisturised skin.
The biggest difference between ceramid and hyaluronic acid is that ceramid can lock the moisture whereas hyaluronic acid only can hold it. Once moisture is locked by ceramids, it won't evaporate even when the humidity hits 0%, and it won't even freeze the temperature hits -20 degrees. So the best way is to use a moisturising lotion with hyaluronic acids, and lock the moisture by using a cream which contains ceramids.
This cream made by this small company called Kiyou Corporation based in Gifu prefecture is my favourite cream that contains 7 different ceramids along with hyaluronic acids. It contains "ceramid 3" and "ceramid 6" which you tend to lose as you age. The amazing thing is that it contains hyaluronic acids as well, which means this cream gives and locks moisture in your skin cells.
It is a thick cream that feels a bit like butter. I only use it at night because I prefer a lighter moisturiser in the morning as my skin tends to get a little bit shiny during the day. It feels very moisturising but it sinks into my skin eventually that it doesn't leave my skin greasy or oily.
I received an instruction card along with the product which says "Apply just a little bit first, then feel your skin. If your skin absorbs it very quickly and it feels a bit dry afterwords, apply a bit more until it feels enough because that means your skin is lack of ceramids. On the other hand, if your skin feels greasy and heavy after the first application, that means your skin has enough ceramids. In that case apply just a tiny bit on your dry areas".
I usually apply 2 thin layers on my skin after it's cleansed and moisturised with a lotion. It makes my skin feel plumped and I feel the difference in the next morning. It doesn't have any fragrances, parabens and artificial colourings in it which makes it suitable for those who are sensitive to them.
I've been using this cream for months now and I'm about to run out. My skin has been hydrated during the coldest months of the year, and I can assure you that it's all because of this amazing cream. I got it as a PR sample to do a review but I would repurchase it next winter if I hadn't found a better face cream until then.
Have you tried anything with ceramids? What's your thoughts?
*PR Sample