UpCircle's newest moisturiser is almost here, and it's unlike anything else in the range. A lightweight gel that pairs encapsulated ceramides with peptides from upcycled maca root, designed to hydrate, soothe and balance skin. We've gathered the questions you've been asking ahead of launch and answered them all in one place. Click here to shop!

1. What is a Ceramide Gel Moisturiser?

This lightweight gel moisturiser delivers an encapsulated complex of ceramides and upcycled maca root peptides deep into the skin, helping to restore elasticity, support collagen and strengthen the skin barrier.

2. When does it launch and can I preorder now?

Yes, it's available for preorder now, launching mid-September.

3. What are ceramides?

Ceramides are lipids (one of the main building blocks of living cells) that occur naturally in the skin and make up a large part of your skin’s structure. They sit between skin cells like mortar between bricks, holding them together, locking in moisture and protecting skin from environmental stress. Natural ceramide levels can drop with age or hormonal changes, which is why they're often added back into skincare formulas, and why we’ve added them to our gel moisturiser.

4. Do ceramides help with wrinkles?

Not directly in the way retinol or peptides might. Ceramides work by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture, which does help plump the skin and can soften the look of fine lines, but they're not a targeted wrinkle treatment on their own. That's why we paired ceramides with maca root peptides, which support elasticity and firmness.

5. What is “encapsulation technology”?

We take an active ingredient (like ceramides) and encapsulate them, essentially enclosing them in a tiny protective shell. This shields the ingredient from breaking down before it reaches the skin and allows it to release gradually once applied. In our new gel moisturiser, the ceramides and peptides (derived from Maca Root) are encapsulated helping to protect the ingredients and deliver more effective results directly where they’re needed.

6. What does the NP in Ceramide NP stand for, and what’s it good for?

Ceramides are named by their two building blocks: a fatty acid and a sphingoid base (a long-chain, complex fatty alcohol). N refers to a non-hydroxy fatty acid and P refers to phytosphingosine, the two components that make up this specific ceramide. Phytosphingosine-based ceramides are naturally abundant in the upper layers of skin, where they help repair and reinforce the skin's moisture barrier, calm irritation and support smoother, more resilient skin over time.

7. Which ingredients are upcycled?

This peptide-packed gel moisturiser contains 3 different upcycled ingredients. Inositol, derived from sugar beets, helps smooth and brighten skin and reduce visible signs of fatigue. Sign me up! Bilberry seed oil is rich in antioxidants, helping to refresh and revitalise the skin. And peptides, derived from maca root, work to firm skin, boost collagen, and support elasticity.

8. Why is it a gel? Does it absorb quickly?

The gel-cream texture is designed to absorb quickly without feeling heavy or greasy, so it layers well underneath makeup or SPF, or for a cooling top up on a hot day.

9. What's makes this cream so cooling?

Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide is a cooling ingredient known for a long-lasting, menthol-like sensation without the minty aroma. Wondering why we didn’t just use natural menthol? Sensitive skin can be easily irritated by menthol, definitely not what you want when you’re looking to cool down red skin. Plus, not everyone wants to smell like toothpaste!

10. Who is this moisturiser for?

Our new cooling gel moisturiser is designed with mature and hormonally fluctuating skin in mind, but is also formulated for acne-prone and redness prone skin too.

11. Do I use it alongside Face Moisturiser and Night Cream, or on its own?

Each of our face creams perform well alone or together, and each brings something different:

• Ceramide Gel Moisturiser with Encapsulation Technology + Maca Root Peptides. Lightweight gel that delivers encapsulated ceramides and upcycled maca root peptides to help restore elasticity, support collagen and strengthen the skin barrier. Best for: menopausal skin, everyday hydration on its own, or layered underneath Face Moisturiser or Night Cream.
• Face Moisturiser with Vitamin E + Aloe Vera. Nourishing daily moisturiser with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to hydrate and soothe. Best for: morning use, or whenever you want a gentle, layerable moisturiser.
• Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide. Richer, hydrating cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide to support skin overnight. Best for: evening use, layered over the Ceramide Gel Moisturiser in colder months.
• Organic Face Oil with Coffee, Rosehip + Jojoba. Nourishing facial oil that helps lock in all the hydration from the steps before. Best for: finishing your routine, especially on dry skin or in colder months.

12. Can I use it if I already use retinol or tretinoin?

Yes, they work well together. Retinol can be drying and increase sensitivity, so pairing it with a ceramide-rich moisturiser like this helps support the skin barrier and ease potential irritation, making it a good addition to a retinol routine. If you’re using a retinol your skin might be sensitive to change, so make sure to do a patch test and introduce slowly.

13. Is it pregnancy and breastfeeding safe?

Yes, it's safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with any new skincare product, if you have any specific concerns or sensitivities, we'd still recommend checking with your doctor or midwife first.

14. When do I use it?

Apply morning and evening to clean, dry skin. Massage gently into face and neck. For best performance use after UpCircle’s Peptide Serum.

15. Is it natural, vegan and cruelty-free?

Of course! It's 95% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and made in the UK.

Have a question we haven’t answered here? Drop our team an email at sale@upcirclebeauty.com and we’ll happily help.

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