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Ceramides

Meaning

Ceramides are a complex class of waxy lipid molecules composed of a sphingosine base and a fatty acid, serving as essential structural components of the skin’s lipid barrier, the stratum corneum. These molecules are paramount for maintaining skin hydration, integrity, and protection against external pathogens and environmental stressors. In a broader metabolic context, elevated circulating and tissue-specific ceramide levels are increasingly recognized as potent signaling molecules that can induce cellular stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance in muscle and liver tissue.