Hyaluronic acid, ceramides and tremella: what they do for your skin in winter

As soon as the heating goes on, I hear the same thing from many people: my skin feels tight, even though I use a good cream. That makes sense. In winter your skin loses moisture faster than in summer, both outside in the cold and inside in the warm. In this blog I explain three ingredients that help your skin hold on to moisture: hyaluronic acid, ceramides and tremella. What do they do, how do they work together, and how do you use them?

Why your skin loses more moisture in winter

Cold air holds little moisture, and wind dries your skin out even more. Indoors, the heating makes the air dry as well. Your skin is constantly giving off a little water to the air around it, and the drier that air is, the faster this goes. The result: skin that feels tight, looks dull or gets small dry patches.

You can do two things about this. Give your skin moisture, and help it keep that moisture. Hyaluronic acid and tremella help with the first, ceramides with the second.

Hyaluronic acid: holds moisture in your skin

Hyaluronic acid is a substance your skin makes itself. It can bind a lot of water, and that is exactly what makes it so useful in skincare. In a serum it holds moisture in the upper layers of your skin, so your skin feels softer and looks fuller. Fine lines then show less.

On the ingredient list you will usually find it as Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid. You can read more about it on our page about hyaluronic acid.

Tremella: the mushroom that holds on to moisture

Tremella is an edible mushroom, also known as snow mushroom. An extract of this mushroom also helps your skin hold on to moisture, so it stays soft and full-looking. That is why it is often mentioned alongside hyaluronic acid. On our ingredient page about tremella you can read where it comes from and in which of our products you will find it.

Ceramides: keep the moisture in

Ceramides are fats that occur naturally in the outer layer of your skin. They sit between your skin cells and help form the barrier that keeps moisture in. In skincare, ceramides help strengthen that barrier, so moisture does not escape as quickly. That is just what your skin needs on a cold, windy day.

Why the combination works

You can think of it like this. Hyaluronic acid and tremella bring moisture to your skin and hold it there. Ceramides help make sure that moisture stays in. Then you apply a cream or oil on top, which protects your skin from wind and dry air. Each step does something different, and together they help your skin get through the winter more comfortably.

How to use a serum with these ingredients

1. Cleanse your skin in the evening with a mild cleanser.
2. Apply a toner. Our Organic Hydrating Toner gives your skin a first boost of moisture and also contains tremella.
3. Then apply a few drops of serum to your face and neck and massage them in gently with upward movements.
4. Finish with a cream or oil. In the evening that is your night cream; read my blog on night cream for how to apply it.

Once a day is enough, in the morning or in the evening. In winter I often choose the evening, because your skin has the whole night to take it in.

What is in our Organic Supreme Skin Elixir

Our Organic Supreme Skin Elixir combines all three ingredients: hyaluronic acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), tremella extract and ceramides (Ceramide NP). It is made with aloe vera instead of water: organic aloe vera juice is the very first ingredient on the list, followed by glycerin, which also draws moisture into the skin.

It also contains bud extracts from plants such as blackcurrant, birch and oak. These are called gemmo extracts; you can read more about them in our blog on gemmo extracts. The elixir is suitable for every skin type, absorbs easily and does not feel sticky. It won the Dutch Beauty Award in 2025.

In short

• In winter, cold air, wind and heating make your skin lose moisture faster.
• Hyaluronic acid and tremella help your skin hold on to moisture.
• Ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier, so moisture stays in.
• Use a serum with these ingredients after your toner and before your cream or oil, once a day.
• Finish with a cream or oil to protect your skin from wind and dry air.

Does your skin often feel dry? On our page about dry skin you will find more tips and a routine that suits it. Not sure what your skin needs? Our skin specialist gives free skin and product advice through the chat on our website.

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist