Understanding Ceramides Benefits: The Key to a Healthy Skin Barrier
- Kavya Goswami
- Oct 20
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 6
What are Ceramides?
Ceramides are a type of lipid molecule found in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. They are essential for a healthy skin barrier and make up about 50% of skin composition.
To make it easy to understand, think of your skin as "bricks," and ceramides as the "mortar" that holds them together. This brick-and-mortar model helps create a protective barrier by sealing the space between skin cells. This process helps to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which is the evaporation of water from the skin. The result? Hydrated, supple, and fresh skin.
Not only that, but a stronger skin barrier also protects your skin from external damage. This includes environmental aggressors like pollution, irritants, and bacteria that can cause infections.
As we age, our natural ceramide production declines. This can lead to a weakened skin barrier, causing dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. By replenishing ceramides through skincare, you can help restore the skin's barrier, improve hydration, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ceramides offer benefits for all skin types, including sensitive, breakout-prone, and oily skin. They are often found in moisturizers, serums, and cleansers.
Types of Ceramides
There are two groups of ceramides: Hydrophobic (those that are afraid of water) and Hydrophilic (water-loving molecules). In the Hydrophilic category, we have Ceramide AP and Ceramide NP. The Hydrophobic category consists of Ceramide EOS, Ceramide EOH, and Ceramide NS.
You might come across the term "Ceramide Complex" in the ingredient list of various products.
Ceramide Complex = Ceramide NP + Ceramide AP + Ceramide EOP + Ceramide NS
Ceramide NP [Ceramide 3]
Restores and moisturizes the skin barrier.
Reduces transepidermal water loss.
Ceramide AP [Ceramide 6-II]
Improves elasticity.
Aids in exfoliation.
Softens rough skin.
Ceramide EOP [Ceramide 1]
Strengthens the lipid bilayer.
Supports long-term hydration.
Ceramide NS [Ceramide 2]
Maintains a smooth texture.
Aids lipid organization.
Ceramides NS / NG / EOS
Supports barrier recovery and stability.
Phytosphingosine and Sphingosine [Ceramide Precursor]
Helps the skin generate its own ceramides naturally.
Complements and improves skin functioning.
Ceramides Benefits in Your Skincare Routine
The best way to include ceramides in your skincare routine is during your treatment step, in the form of serums, or in the moisturizing step, by using creams or moisturizers that contain ceramides.
Ceramides work as a protective barrier for your skin. They help lock in moisture and seal all the benefits of the products you’ve applied before. That’s why they’re often best used toward the end of your skincare routine.
One of the best things about ceramides is their versatility. They pair well with most skincare actives and suit nearly all skin types, whether it’s oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or even acne-prone.
From my personal experience, I have oily, acne-prone skin. I’ve been using a ceramide-based moisturizer for a while now. It’s been surprisingly gentle and effective. Honestly, the best part is how butter-soft my skin feels the next morning!
Best Ceramide Moisturizers for Skincare in India
If you want your skincare routine to work optimally, it's essential to protect your skin. This means using sunscreen and moisturizing your face with a good ceramide moisturizer to prevent dryness. Keeping your skin hydrated and plump is an essential part of your skincare routine. Many skincare actives can dry out your skin, so it is best to protect your face by applying a moisturizer as the last step.
Dot & Key has a lot of good products, but this moisturizer is my favorite. I have oily skin, and I like its lightweight texture. It hydrates my skin without making it feel too heavy or tacky. However, if I had to give a name to this moisturizer, it would be Niacinamide Moisturizer, because it has a very low concentration of Centella Asiatica in the ingredient list.
Anyways, this is a good moisturizer for oily and combination skin due to its texture and because it contains Niacinamide.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Dimethicone (an emollient that forms a silky smooth film on the skin to protect the skin barrier)
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, and Ceramide 6 II
Centella Asiatica (Cica) Leaf Extract (Low Concentration)
Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract (Very Low Concentration)
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder (Very Low Concentration)
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (Very Low Concentration, present at the end of the ingredient list)
Minimalist 0.3% Ceramide Moisturizer is a good barrier repair moisturizer. Although it has a slightly tacky feel, oily skin people like me might prefer using it only during winter. However, all other skin types can use it, as this moisturizer has numerous skin barrier-improving actives.
Skincare Actives:
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Glycerin
Ursolic Acid (helps to protect, repair, and strengthen the skin barrier while preventing collagen degradation)
Allantoin
Cholesterol
Madecassoside (derived from the medicinal plant of Centella Asiatica, helps to restore the lipid barrier and is good for redness and acne marks)
Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a very rich moisturizer for dry skin. It is the best moisturizer to use during the winter season.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Petrolatum
Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, and Ceramide EOP
Dimethicone
Sodium Hyaluronate
Cholesterol
The Formula RX Barrier Relief is a new skincare brand in the Indian market. This lightweight moisturizer suits oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Linoleic Acid (helps in skin barrier repair)
Colloidal Oatmeal
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Allantoin
Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, and Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume Moisturizer is a good moisturizer, especially for dry, sensitive skin. It contains skin-soothing and barrier-repairing ingredients.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Cyclopentasiloxane
Mannitol
Rhamnose
Dot & Key Ceramide & Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Repair Moisturizer is a creamy-textured moisturizer. From my personal experience, this moisturizer is better for normal or dry skin types, and even combination skin types can use it.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Hyaluronic Acid
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, and Ceramide 6 II
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
Polyglutamic Acid (Humectant, skin hydrating ingredient)
Lactobacillus
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
The Formula RX Hydraveil Hydrating Gel Moisturizer is a non-comedogenic moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Propanediol (solvent and a moisturizer)
Panthenol
Sodium Hyaluronate (derivative of Hyaluronic Acid)
Ceramide NP
Ectoin (antioxidant, a skin barrier repairing and protecting ingredient)
Pilgrim Barrier Repair Moisturizer is a good barrier repair moisturizer for achieving healthy, plump-looking skin.
Skincare Actives:
Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, and Ceramide 6 II
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Aestura Atobarrier Cream is a moisturizer best suited for dry and sensitive skin.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Squalane
Cholesterol
Allantoin
COSIQ CPM 2% Moisturizer is a product and skincare brand I discovered recently. This brand has some good skincare products that I am surely going to recommend in the future. This is a good barrier repair moisturizer, especially in winter, to support the skin barrier and keep it soft and plump.
Skincare Actives:
Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
Glycerin
Peptides [Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1]
Ceramide EOP, NS, NP, AS, AP
The Derma Co 4% Ceramide Barrier Repair Moisturizer is the moisturizer I have been using since last year. It suits my oily skin and doesn't clog pores. After using it overnight, it makes my skin butter-soft the next day.
Skincare Actives:
Ceramide 1, 2, 3, 4, and AP
Niacinamide
Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract (Moisturizer)
Dimethicone
The Derma Co Skin Renew Barrier Repair Peptide Moisturizer is another good option to consider for hydrating and moisturizing your face.
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Betaine
Cyclopentasiloxane
Squalane
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C form)
Ceramide NP
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
The Formula RX Barrier Plus Peptide Ceramide Moisturizer is a new barrier repair moisturizer that I would love to try in my skincare routine. I love the formulation of this moisturizer and would recommend it to you too.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Allantoin
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Hyphen Barrier Care Cream is another good option you can consider using in your skincare routine. However, I would only recommend this moisturizer for people with dry skin, combination skin that is more on the drier side, or people with normal skin.
Skincare Actives:
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Glucosyl Ceramide
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Tripeptide-1
Hexapeptide-9
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Seed Oil
Centella Asiatica (Cica) Extract
Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains many skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm the skin barrier and repair it gently.
Skincare Actives:
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Niacinamide
Ethyl Linoleate (Emollient, Oil-soluble Vitamin F)
Asiaticoside (Antioxidant)
Asiatic Acid (sister component of Asiaticoside)
Madecassic Acid (has skin moisturizing and wound healing properties)
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol (skin soothing ingredient, reduces stinging and burning)
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid (skin soothing)
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide (emollient)
Bisabolol (anti-inflammatory and soothing)
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Sphingolipids (Emollient)
Phospholipids (Skin identical ingredient)
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Gallyl Glucoside (Anti-oxidant and soothing)
Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer is a good moisturizer to consider. However, I would only recommend it if you don't mind buying expensive skincare products. If you're willing to invest, this is the one you can consider.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Cocoglycerides
Squalane
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide AS
Ceramide NS
Ceramide EOP
Sodium Hyaluronate
Adenosine
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
The Importance of a Healthy Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is the primary source that we need to take care of in every step of our skincare routine. There is no point in having a complex skincare routine with many ingredients at high percentages or too harsh actives.
Skincare is all about achieving healthy-looking skin, which happens when we have a healthy skin barrier. That's when ceramides come into the picture. Even though there are a few products in this recommendation list that do not contain ceramides, that doesn't mean they won't improve or support your skin barrier.
Follow our Best of Ceramides Skincare Guide to learn about this superstar skin barrier-supporting ingredient.
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