Ceramide skin care quick picks
Look at your skin care routine and you’ll likely find ceramides in the ingredient lists of a few products. They’re commonly found in moisturizers and serums, as ceramides have long been regarded as helpful components in rebuilding the skin barrier.
But with tons of buzzy skin care ingredients already on the market, how effective are ceramides really? We spoke to dermatologists and a licensed esthetician to better understand what ceramides are, which products are worth buying and how to incorporate them into your beauty routine.
What are ceramides?
Not only do ceramides naturally occur in the body, but they also make up over 50% of your skin’s composition.
“Ceramides are a type of lipid (fat molecule) that plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function,” says Dr. Sam Ellis, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Prequel. “The outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, is composed of cells held together by lipids, including ceramides. This barrier is essential for retaining moisture, preventing environmental irritants from entering the skin and maintaining overall skin health.”
Benefits of ceramides for skin care
Aside from moisture retention and skin barrier health — pillars of anti-aging benefits — Ellis notes that ceramides also aid in “supporting [skin] elasticity to address signs of aging.”
Rachael Chambers, a licensed esthetician and former beauty expert at Oh Beauty, echoes this sentiment and states that those with mature skin are “strongly in need of ceramide replenishment,” explaining that “aging often reduces ceramide levels in the skin, leading to skin issues like dryness, sensitivity and a damaged skin barrier.”
If you are someone who has dry or sensitive skin or even has a skin condition like eczema, ceramides will be super helpful in soothing irritation. Essentially, if your skin is in need of a little extra TLC — especially during dry winter months — ceramides are going to be your go-to ingredient to leave your skin “moist and supple,” according to Chambers.
Read on for a few of our favorite ceramide-packed products, along with the experts’ recommendations.
Best ceramide skin care
“This nourishing cream restores moisture to heal, mend and soothe severely dry, damaged or compromised skin,” says Chambers. “It helps to stimulate collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Ceramides, antioxidants and hydrating N-acetyl glucosamine (aka NAG) replenish the skin and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This night cream is a perfect accompaniment in an anti-aging routine as it was made to nourish and comfort the skin after your vitamin A (retinol) products.
Containing a blend of five skin-identical ceramides along with other powerhouse ingredients like cholesterol, palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and watermelon seed oil, this moisturizer is a dream for a damaged skin barrier.
“This cream is amazing for those with extremely dry skin,” shares Ellis. “It’s renowned for its advanced lipid-replenishment formula, effectively restoring skin’s natural barrier for enhanced hydration, suppleness and skin comfort.”
Editors’ favorite ceramide skin care
This aptly named moisturizer-serum hybrid is packed with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, which are the three main components of your skin’s moisture barrier.
“This clinically proven serum combines a plant-derived retinol alternative with ceramides and niacinamide to work to strengthen the skin barrier, increase skin hydration, soothe and reduce irritation and plump and smooth the skin,” says Chambers.
This super-nourishing moisturizer is packed with ceramides, along with a buckwheat honey with propolis and royal jelly blend, which contain antioxidants that soothe and hydrate the skin. The fig fruit extract and osmolytes — organic components that are present in the skin — will help regulate the skin’s moisture retention, leaving it feeling smooth and supple.
If you’re looking for something that doubles as a brightening agent for any stubborn acne scars or hyperpigmentation, opt for this moisturizer. Along with ceramides, this contains peptides and snow mushroom, which will aid in visibly plumping and hydrating your skin.
Budget-friendly ceramide skin care
Affordable, effective and endorsed by experts, this moisturizer is a great example of a product everyone should consider. Dr. David Kim of Idriss Dermatology in New York City even goes as far as to call it "the best product with ceramide." Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick is also a fan, noting that it features three ceramides and hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and support the skin barrier.
This repairing and plumping moisturizer is perfect for all skin types. It also contains 5% gransil, which blurs the appearance of fine lines, a bonus for anyone with aging skin who wants to improve the health of their skin barrier.
A derm-favorite brand for skin of all ages, you can’t go wrong with this as your go-to ceramide-filled cleanser. Thanks to the moisture-retaining properties of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it’ll never leave your skin feeling stripped and dry.