Ceramides

The stratum corneum works like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks and a lipid mix of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids is the mortar. Dry, aged or eczema-prone skin tends to have fewer ceramides and more water loss. Moisturizers that supply ceramides in a barrier-like lipid ratio can reduce transepidermal water loss and dryness, and dermatologists commonly recommend them for dry and sensitive skin. The cream base as a whole matters as much as the ceramide itself.

In our directory: It’s a key ingredient in 8 products we review, most often moisturizers and cleansers. Those products are mostly built for barrier repair, dryness relief and long-lasting moisture. In formulas, it most often shares the label with glycerin, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Apply a ceramide moisturizer once or twice daily, ideally to slightly damp skin after cleansing. They are a useful buffer when starting retinoids or exfoliating acids.

References

1. 1Ceramides and skin function — American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2003), via PubMed
2. 2The Skin Barrier and Moisturization: Function, Disruption, and Mechanisms of Repair — Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2023), via PubMed
3. 3Efficacy of Nonprescription Moisturizers for Atopic Dermatitis: An Updated Review of Clinical Evidence — American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2020), via PubMed Central

Educational, not medical advice. Ingredient guides summarise published research and expert guidance; formulas and concentrations differ between products.