When I first heard about Beautycounter’s newest product, using an ingredient I’d never heard of before, I went into research mode. If you’ve heard me talk about the importance of lipids in your skin routine before, Ceramides give us the water-based solution. And, with 2 forms of Hyaluronic Acid added, Mighty Plump delivers a lifted, sculpted and “instant filler” effect. But how?! Here’s what I learned all about ceramides and Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, Beautycounter’s newest innovative “instant filler” product!
taken 1 minute after application on the 3rd day of use on just one side (immediate and long-lasting benefits)
What Are Ceramides
Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds our skin cells together, keeping our skin barrier intact and healthy. A healthy skin barrier helps seal in moisture and keep out harmful elements. Think of them as the mortar holding the bricks of our skin cells together – we need lipids to heal our moisture barrier, which ceramide’s uniquely target.
To support skin’s hydration, finish your skincare routine and lock in moisture using Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, a hydrating ceramide cream. The key ingredient, ceramide, is a waxy lipid in the skin’s outermost layer. These lipids are essential in maintaining the skin barrier. When you consistently moisturize with ceramides, it gets to the root of dry skin issues to soothe dryness, itchiness, and scaliness caused by a weakened skin barrier. And, because because aging is caused by dehydration, moisturized skin has a better texture and fewer lines and wrinkles.
Simply put, ceramides are all-star moisturizers. “These lipid-like molecules add moisture and restore the skin’s barrier function. They’re also great for anyone interested in keeping their skin looking as young as possible. – Kenneth Mark, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist
FYI: Niacinamide (in our All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner) works well in conjunction with ceramides to comfort the skin in multiple ways at once. It’s a great recommended pairing with Mighty Plump!
FAQs
How do I know if Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream is right for me?
Both Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid are great for all skin types. Ceramides are best for sensitive and dry skin conditions, dry blemish-prone, and aging skin. Because ceramides support the skin’s barrier, it helps all of our skin become healthier with time. By strengthening the inner layers of our epidermis, it is like refreshing the mortar on crumbling brick home. The building blocks (skin cells) are there, but it’s the mortar that disintegrates. Ceramides, like our skin’s own lipids, helps to strengthen that bond, which makes all things about the appearance of skin improve.
Ceramides are safe and easily tolerable for those of all ages and skin types, including those with eczema and psoriasis. – source
Mighty Plump also has HA, which aids in supporting your skin’s natural hydration. So while ceramides are supporting our skin’s moisture barrier, the HA is bringing proper hydration to the skin. I talk more about HA in my Anti-Aging Top 3 Best and Worst Ingredients article here.
Is it safe, sustainable, and better for me? Am I on punked?
It feels like it must be impossible – but I assure you, it’s REAL. Not only is it made with ingredients that will help improve your skin overtime, it delivers an instant “filler” effect. And, it is made with safer ingredients and tested 8 times against 23 human health endpoints including hormone disruption, heavy metals, and carcinogens, to ensure that it is safe for human health. The product contains no ingredients questionable for health – making it a non-toxic option for pregnancy.
How to use?
Ideal use is last for skincare, but before SPF – as it will act like facial oil to create a barrier and prevent absorption of anything else added on top. DO NOT put on any skincare products after ceramides or facial oils. The lipids will block any absorption of other products. It would be a waste to put on a serum at the same time (combined) or after.
How do I incorporate Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream into my current routine?
A water cream is a bouncy, weightless formula that feels cushiony upon application, delivering a rush of moisture and visible smoothness. Because it is ideal for those concerned with fine line and wrinkles, it is recommended to apply in the AM to take advantage of the immediate plumping benefits. Because it is light some may need additional moisture. If you have very dry skin, I recommend combining it with a facial oil when applying.
Here are Skin Cycling Routines I recommend to incorporate it:
You can read more about Skin Cycling (without Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream) here
For normal skin with anti-aging benefits click here for all items
AM
Wash: Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil with microfiber cloth
Prep: Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
Treat: alternate All Bright C Serum & Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum
Protect: Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, then top with SPF (Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer or Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face)
PM
Wash: same
Prep: alternate All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner* & Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
Treat: alternate Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum & Reflect Effect Overnight Resurfacing Peel*
Protect: All Bright Brightening Facial Oil added to Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream or Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (no oil needed)
For sensitive and dry skin conditions click here for all items
AM
Wash: Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil or Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm with microfiber cloth
Prep: Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
Treat: Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum
Protect: All Bright Brightening Facial Oil added to Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, then top with SPF (Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer or Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face)
PM
Wash: same
Prep: alternate All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner* & Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
Treat: alternate Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum & Reflect Effect Overnight Resurfacing Peel*
Protect: alternate All Bright Brightening Facial Oil added to Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream & Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm pressed into skin as an overnight mask
For dry blemish-prone click here for all items
AM
Wash: Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser with microfiber cloth
Prep: Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner
Treat: Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum
Protect: All Bright Brightening Facial Oil added to SPF (Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer or Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face)
PM
Wash: same
Prep: alternate All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner* & Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner
Treat: alternate Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum and Reflect Effect Overnight Resurfacing Peel*
Protect: All Bright Brightening Facial Oil added to Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream & Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm pressed into skin as an overnight mask
*only 1 AHA per day, make sure to spot check
*WHY ALTERNATE? Niacinamide (in our All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner) works well in conjunction with ceramides to comfort the skin in multiple ways at once. It’s a great recommended pairing with Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream. Since our Peel has both soothing and exfoliating acids, it will help slough off the damaged layers of skin while the Mighty Plump and facial oil will help heal and hydrate deeper down. Ideal use is last for skincare, but before SPF – as it will act like facial oil to create a barrier and prevent absorption of anything else added on top.
After I use the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, why is my face very dry?
This means either a) you haven’t done a 4-step routine, because the Water Cream is a water-based protect step that needs Cleanse, Prep, and Treat done first.
Or, b) that your moisture barrier isn’t properly functioning and needs more support during repair. I recommend one of the routines above, specifically the two crafted for dry skin conditions. The combination of alternating days with those products will allow your skin to “cycle”. This will help it be properly nourished without any ingredient conflicts that can overwhelm skin, especially when our epidermis has that “crumbling mortar” described above in the brick scenario.
Why does it happen? Ceramides perform better with less strong ingredients – if you’re using a strong Vitamin C Serum or too many acids, it may cause your skin to “rebel” and not be able to regulate properly.
For very dry skin: Using a light water cream with only ceramides may not work for you. To heal dry facial skin, you need a full 4 step skin routine to properly prepare, nourish, and exfoliate. Research has shown that skin care products with anti-inflammatory and penetration-enhancing agents can improve the absorption of ceramides in your skin, relieve skin conditions, and restore healthy skin [source]. I have created the recommended routines based on that combination to optimize healing.
I describe the science of this more in my Sensitive Skin Secrets here. In this scenario, Mighty Plump and other ceramides act as a “lipid” described.
MORE INFO:
WebMD: What to Know Abut Ceramides for Skin
Everyday Health: Ceramides 101 – A Detailed Guide
Anti-Aging Top 3 Best and Worst Ingredients
Skin Cycling & Slugging: What is it and how to with the best (safer) products
Sensitive Skin Secrets (and how to support your skin barrier)
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