As far as skin-care ingredients are concerned, ceramides are among the most worthy of opponents when it comes to battling dry skin — which, with colder weather rearing its head, may be something that you’re all too familiar with. Thankfully, ceramide-based products are not only a favorite among dermatologists but are widely available at every price point, from drugstore (The Inkey List and Byoma) to luxury brands (Drunk Elephant and SkinCeuticals).
“Ceramides are fatty acids in the skin that help to maintain the skin barrier and retain moisture and hydration,” Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, tells Allure. “Extreme cold-weather temperatures, exposure to hot water, and dry heat can all deplete the ceramides stored in your skin,” which is why Dr. Idriss says it’s critical to introduce ceramide-fortified products to lock in moisture and restore your skin’s barrier function. They’re also a key ingredient to look out for when treating skin conditions like eczema or moisturizing your skin after a laser treatment.
It helps to think of ceramides as the building blocks of your skin. In addition to possessing hydration-boosting properties, they’re especially key for maintaining long-term hydration and strengthening the skin’s surface against environmental stressors. When scanning your ingredient lists, look out for ceramide NP, AP, EOP, NG, NP, NS, as well as phytosphingosine and sphingosine.
“Ceramides are found in high concentrations within cell membranes,” NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, says. “They hold skin cells together on the top layer of the skin, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture.” As such, barrier-fortifying products are as popular and commonplace as ever.
With that being said, here are 15 of the best ceramide products — rich moisturizers, retinol-spiked serum, and more — for healthy skin this season (and all year round).
Ready to feel more confident when reading your beauty products’ ingredient labels? Enter, the Allure Ingredient Index. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the most in-demand (and under-the-radar) ingredients in your favorite skin-care products.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Anti-Inflammatory Serum: Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum,
- Korean Skin-Care Staple: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48
- Boosts Ceramide Production: Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream, $64
- Thick and Derm-Approved: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, $150
- For a Mild Dose of Exfoliation: Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum, $22
- Best Retinol Cream: Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer, $63
- Best Fragrance-Free Night Cream: EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, $41