Ceramides 101: A Detailed Guide

Natural ceramides are fats or lipids (fatty molecules) that make up about 50 percent of your epidermis, or the outer layer of your skin. They act as a barrier to protect your skin and help lock in moisture.

As you age, your ability to naturally produce and replenish ceramides decreases.

What Are Ceramides?

“Ceramides serve an important function in helping to create and support the skin’s barrier,” says Courtney Rubin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of Fig.1, based in Los Angeles.

Potential Benefits of Ceramides

Simply put, ceramides are all-star moisturizers. “These lipidlike molecules add moisture and restore the skin’s barrier function,” says Kenneth Mark, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist based in New York and Colorado. They’re also great for anyone interested in keeping their skin looking as young as possible.

Research suggests that ceramides can help with these concerns.

Increasing Hydration

Reducing Wrinkles

Preventing Breakouts

Ceramides may also help counter the drying that often happens with acne products. “Since someone with acne-prone skin is usually producing a lot of oil, they may use products that cause dryness, and the ceramides will help counteract the irritation of the drying products,” Dr. Mark says.

Reducing Symptoms Associated With Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Types of Skin-Care Products That Contain Ceramides

You might find ceramides listed as an ingredient in skin-care products such as cleansers or serums, but Rubin says that moisturizers are the most important skin-care product when it comes to reaping the benefits of ceramides. That’s because the main benefit of ceramides is skin barrier support, just like that of moisturizers.

And ceramides aren’t some obscure skin-care ingredient that you’ll have to go hunting for. They’re common, but check the bottle to be sure. “Simply look at the ingredient list and check for the word ‘ceramide,’” Rubin says.

Moisturizers

You may see ceramides on a product label called ceramide EOP, ceramide NP, or ceramide AP, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York City and Clifton, New Jersey.

Cleansers

Not only important for cleaning the skin and staving off breakouts, cleaners fight dullness and dehydration. Choosing a cleanser with ceramides and other moisture-retaining ingredients like hyaluronic acid can clean your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.

Serums

Ceramide-containing serums provide a lightweight, targeted delivery that keeps the skin barrier fortified and hydrated, and can help smooth out fine lines and maintain a plump, youthful complexion.

While not every product will be labeled this way, be sure to check the ingredient list, and avoid drying alcohols, such as ethanol, denatured alcohol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol, Dr. Garshick says.

Potential Side Effects of Ceramides

There are no known side effects of using products with ceramides. “They’re safe and easily tolerable for those of all ages and skin types, including those with eczema and psoriasis,” Rubin says.

Do Ceramides React With Other Ingredients?

You know that one friend you can include in any group and know they’ll mesh well? That’s how ceramides are in the skin-care world. “Ceramides play well with numerous ingredients,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “I don’t think there’s any ingredients that ceramides negatively interact with.”

Are Ceramides Safe to Use During Pregnancy?

Yes, ceramides are safe to use while pregnant, Rubin says.

Ceramide Alternatives

Ceramides aren’t the only hydrating ingredients, of course. Rubin notes that glycerin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid are similarly good at moisturizing the skin. “They all work well together to support the skin’s moisture barrier and adequate hydration,” she says. That’s why you’ll often find them combined in the same products.

Dr. King notes that ceramides are emollients, which are hydrocarbons that help support the skin barrier and improve texture. She says that other emollients, such as squalene, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols, act in a similar way.

How to Add Ceramides to Your Skin-Care Routine

Ceramides are generally a good fit for any adult. Because ceramides are natural occurring fats in human skin, products containing them are highly compatible with all skin types.

Rubin suggests applying a body moisturizer containing ceramides after you shower, regardless of whether it’s in the morning or at night — “ideally when the skin is still damp for maximum moisturizing benefits,” she says. That way, the ceramides in the moisturizer will lock in the hydration.

When to Use Ceramides

Ceramides can be used as part of your daily skin-care routine both morning and night. Start with a ceramide-containing facial cleanser, followed by a serum and a moisturizer containing the ingredient for optimal benefits.

How Often Should You Use Ceramides?

Because ceramides are safe to use, there’s no limit to how often you should use them.

The Takeway

• Ceramides are safe for people with all skin types — even those with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
• They’re easy to find in skin-care products, including many moisturizers. If you have dry skin, are concerned about prematurely aging skin, or simply want to trap in as much moisture as possible, consider adding ceramides to your skin-care routine.