What are the best ceramides products? I’m asking you this question now because, in true “Game of Thrones” style, winter is coming. That’s your cue to strengthen your skin’s natural defences against the relentlessly cold winds and low temperatures that threaten to suck all the moisture out of your skin.
You need to patch the holes the harsh weather is making into your skin’s protective barrier and layer on the glue that holds it together so it can better withstand future attacks. It’s a job for ceramides. These oily waxes are part of your skin’s protective barrier. They can fix it when it’s broken and strengthen it up when it’s intact.
I use ceramides all year round but when falls roll around, I make sure to double my dose. Just in case. Here are my fave and best ceramides products:
- What Are Ceramides?
- What To Look For In A Ceramides Products?
- What Are The Best Ceramides Products?
- CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($21.99)
- Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum ($92.00)
- Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer ($63.00)
- CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM ($15.49)
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer ($28.00)
- EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex ($58.00)
- Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream ($60.00)
- Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($150.00)
- Paula’s Choice Omega Complex Moisturizer ($37.00)
- Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Ectoin-Infused Cream ($53.00)
- The Verdict
What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides are oily waxes (“cera” means wax in Latin) that make up part of your skin’s protective barrier. “Ceramides are found in high concentrations within cell membranes,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur. “They hold skin cells together on the top layer of the skin, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture.”
It works like this: when your protective barrier is intact, moisture stays in and germs stay out. As a result, your skin is hydrated, softer, and suppler. But, when this protective barrier gets damaged (thank harsh weather, unprotected sun exposure, and drying skincare ingredients), moisture evaporates, skin withers like an old prune, and your complexion loses its glow. Now germs gets in and cause all kinds of irritations.
Adding ceramides back into your skin helps repair a broken protective barrier and strengthen a healthy one, so that it won’t break down in the future.
What To Look For In A Ceramides Products?
Ceramides, duh! But, if you want ceramides to work their best, look for products that contain more than one type of ceramides (there are 9 in total). The more, the merrier.
Another tip is to look for ceramides products that also contain cholesterol and fatty acids (other components of your skin’s protective barrier). Studies show the best combo is ceramides (50%) with cholesterol (25%) and free fatty acids (15%). They form what scientists call “crystalline lamellar structures,” which have amazing moisture-retaining properties.
“There are three big classes of lipids: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids,” board-certified dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, says. “There are certain ingredients that work better when they’re paired with ceramides, and that’s really that trifecta of your natural skin barrier. We always say 1:2:1 (one cholesterol, two ceramides, and one fatty acid), which is the ratio of these lipids for the natural skin barrier.”
FAQS ABOUT CERAMIDES PRODUCTS
What can ceramides do?
Ceramides strengthen your skin’s protective barrier so that moisture stays in and germs stay out. They moisturise skin and prevent irritations.
What can’t ceramides do?
Ceramides don’t have anti-aging properties. They can’t fight wrinkles. They can’t fade away dark spots.
Who should use a ceramides product?
Everyone can use ceramides. They’re a great way to moisturise dry skin without adding more oil to it. They banish dry skin and nurse it back to softeners and suppleness. And they repair the skin’s barrier in sensitive skin to soothe irritations.
Who should NOT use a ceramides product?
Unless you’re allergic to something else in the product, there’s no reason not to use ceramides.
Can I use a ceramides product if I have sensitive skin?
Yes – and you should! Sensitive skin often has a broken protective barrier. Ceramides help repair it, soothing redness and irritations.
How often should you use a ceramides product?
You can use it up to twice a day, morning and evening.
What Are The Best Ceramides Products?
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($21.99)
If you’re serious about anti-aging, you need retinol in your skincare routine. This form of Vitamin A boosts collagen, fight free radicals, and even speeds up cellular turnover to minimise wrinkles and dark spots. The catch? Retinol can be drying and irritating when you first start using it. CeraVe has added ceramides and hyaluronic acid to this formula to hydrate skin and counteract any dryness effect. If you have oily skin or are looking for your first retinol serum, this is an excellent option to consider.
Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
Benefits: Fights wrinkles and fades away dark spots.
Cons: Retinol can be drying and irritating when you first start using it.
Skin type: All skin types can use it, but it’s most suitable for dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum ($92.00)
Elizabeth Arden was the first brand to put ceramides on the map. They put ceramides in pretty much all their skincare products. I’m highlighting this serum because it contains Vitamin C to brighten skin and prevent wrinkles, Vitamin E to fight free radicals, and a bunch of natural oils to deeply moisturise skin and give it a radiant glow. Result? Softer and brighter skin that glows as if lit-from-within. I’m not too fond of the packaging. The serum is housed into little capsules, so not the most environment-friendly, but the juice inside is worth a try.
Available at: Boots, Elizabeth Arden, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Ceramides and Vitamin C.
Benefits: Prevents wrinkles and brightens skin.
Cons: Packaging isn’t environmentally-friendly.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin
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Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer ($63.00)
One of the best anti-aging moisturisers on the planet, this lightweight cream contains retinol to reduce the wrinkles you already have and prevent new ones from forming. Plus, it’s loaded with every antioxidant you can think of to fight free radicals before they give you more wrinkles and dark spots. The lightweight lotion goes on smoothly, sinks in quickly and leaves no residue behind. It’s not moisturising enough for very dry skin, but other skin types will love it. For best results, use it every other night. Using retinol too often can dehydrate skin.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Net-A-Porter, Paula’s Choice
Active ingredients: Retinol and antioxidants.
Benefits: Prevents wrinkles and brightens skin.
Cons: Not moisturising enough for very dry skin.
Skin type: Best suitable for normal and combination skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM ($15.49)
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM is loaded with ceramides to the brim. Plus, it has a good dollop of niacinamide, an antiaging superstar that does everything: it hydrates skin, soothes irritations, reduces wrinkles, fades dark spots, treats acne… You name, it can handle it. Ceramides and niacinamide make a powerful combo that’s sure to banish dryness. The only con? Its lack of antioxidants. You’ll have to use a separate antioxidant serum to prevent wrinkles. PS: you can use this little gem in the morning too.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Niacinamide and ceramides.
Benefits: Moisturises skin.
Cons: Doesn’t have antioxidants.
Skin type: All skin types can use it, but it’s most suitable for dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: My Full Review Of CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer ($28.00)
I know I said you should look for products with more than one type of ceramides. This moisturiser contains only one, but it’s one of the best picks for sensitive skin, I just had to mention it. This moisturiser is loaded with skin-soothers like colloidal oatmeal and allantoin, that reduce redness and irritation in sensitive skin. Plus, natural oils and urea to deeply hydrate and moisturise skin, making it softer and smoother. If your skin likes to throw tantrums often, grab yourself a bottle of this, pronto.
Available at: Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Selfridges, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Allantoin, ceramides, Colloidal oatmeal.
Benefits: Moisturises and soothes skin.
Cons: Only has one type of ceramides.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex ($58.00)
This cream contains a whopping 5 different types of ceramides – way more than most creams on the market. Plus, it paired with cholesterol and fatty acids. In other words, it contains the perfect ratio of ingredients to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier and nurse even the driest of skin types back to health. The rest of the formula is pretty basic, but if you’re looking for a moisturiser with dry skin, this won’t disappoint. Its creamy consistency is lightweight and absorbs quickly – no greasy feel!
Available at: Dermstore
Active ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids.
Benefits: Moisturises and heals dry skin.
Cons: Basic formula, no antioxidants.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream ($60.00)
A rich moisturiser for dry skin that contains the right ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to patch up a broken protective barrier and make skin softer and smoother. The whipped cream is on the thick side and takes a minutes or so to absorb – unless your skin is so dry, it’ll lap it up immediately. Some of the oils in here also have antioxidant properties to fight premature aging, but this is mostly a moisturising cream. And it’s one of the best on the market for that.
Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids.
Benefits: Moisturises and heals dry skin.
Cons: Expensive.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($150.00)
I know, I know, this cream costs an arm and a leg. But it was one of the first moisturisers on the market to feature the right ratio of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids – and for that, it deserves a special place in your heart and skincare cabinets. Together, they strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, make skin softer and smoother, and heal even the worst dryness. The only thing I don’t like is a few drops of essential oils. But if your skin is cool with that, there’s no reason not to use it.
Available at: Dermstore, Look Fantastic and Skinceuticals
Active ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids.
Benefits: Moisturises and heals dry skin.
Cons: Expensive.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: It contains essential oils that make it smell good, but may irritate sensitive skin.
Paula’s Choice Omega Complex Moisturizer ($37.00)
The moisturiser I recommend the most to my clients with dry and sensitive, this moisturiser is loaded with shea butter, natural oils, and ceramides – all actives that create a protective barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and germs out. It nourishes even the driest of skin types, making it softer and suppler again. The texture is on the thicker side, but spreads easily and, once absorbed, leaves no tacky residue behind. It doesn’t contain as many antioxidants as other Paula’s Choice moisturiser, but if you have dry and sensitive skin that gets red and irritated easily, you’ll love this.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, and Sephora
Active ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, and natural oils.
Benefits: Moisturises and soothes dry skin.
Cons: Low on antioxidants.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Ectoin-Infused Cream ($53.00)
Powered by shea butter and five different types of ceramides, this cream deeply moisturises dry skin and banishes flakiness without clogging pores or feeling heavy on your skin. It also provides the perfect hydration balance to all areas of combination skin, for plumper and softer skin without the ugly breakouts. The texture is unique too – thick without being greasy. It spreads easily and it’s a pleasure to use. I could do without the essential oils that make it smell divine – they can irritate your skin if you’re allergic to them.
Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Ceramides and shea butter.
Benefits: Moisturises skin.
Cons: Contains essential oils that may irritate sensitive skin.
Skin type: Dry and combination skin.
Fragrance-free: Technically yes. But the essential oils that make it smell good can irritate sensitive skin.
The Verdict
Ceramides are the building blocks of your skin. They strengthen your skin’s protective barrier to banish dryness and moisturise all skin types without adding more oil to it and clogging pores. Look for products that contain different types of ceramides together with cholesterol and fatty acids.
