You've likely heard of ceramides in relation to skincare ingredients, but what do they actually do? In simplistic terms, I like to think of ceramides as the scaffolding that holds our skin cells together. Without them, there would be no skin barrier to protect against external irritants or to keep moisture locked in where it's needed.
Ceramides occur naturally in our skin, but they deplete with age and other factors, meaning it's wise to keep levels topped up via cleansers, moisturisers, serums and the like. So, given that they are so essential to healthy skin, we should all have a ceramide product in our skincare routine. Luckily, they can be found in all sorts of skincare products, from affordable skincare options to more luxurious buys. But before we get into that, here's your 101 guide to ceramides in skincare.
What Are Ceramides?
Aesthetic doctor Dr David Jack explains, "Ceramides make up about 50% of the lipids in the barrier of the skin. They play a structural role in maintaining the skin’s barrier integrity and water-retention capacity. Functionally, they act as the 'mortar' between the dead skin cells in this layer, limiting transepidermal water loss and protecting against irritants, allergens and microbial invasion, as well as serving as ‘food’ for the good skin bacteria."
"Ceramide levels decline with age, UV exposure and with inflammatory/dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, leading to barrier dysfunction and dehydration. Topical ceramide supplementation with skincare helps to restore lipid balance in the skin's outermost layer. This, in turn, enhances moisture retention and barrier repair," continues Dr Jack.
What Types of Ceramides Are Best?
Dr Jack explains, "The biological activity of ceramides depends on their molecular subtype and structural similarity to those found in human skin. Ceramide NP (formerly ceramide 3) and ceramide EOS (ceramide 1) are particularly important for maintaining the skin barrier and long-term skin hydration."
He adds, "Synthetic bioidentical ceramides tend to have higher equivalence to the skin’s natural ceramides than plant-derived pseudoceramides."
Who Should Use Ceramides?
Consultant dermatologist Professor Firas Al-Niaimi assures, "Ceramides are suitable for all skin types. They are naturally found in our skin and are essential components of a healthy skin barrier. Because of this, they work well for everyone, including those with dry, oily or sensitive skin."
What Are the Downsides of Ceramides?
Professor Al-Niaimi explains, "Ceramides are generally very well tolerated and have few downsides. The only limitation is that, on their own, they might not provide complete hydration or barrier repair. For best results, ceramides are often combined with other ingredients such as fatty acids and cholesterol to fully support the skin barrier."
13 Best Ceramide Skincare Products
- Best Ceramide Cleanser: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Skin Renewing Cleanser, £30
- Best Ceramide Serum: Naturium Barrier Bounce Advanced Skin Hydrator Serum, £27
- Best Ceramide Moisturiser: CeraVe HA Water Gel, £20
- Best Ceramide Mask: Anua Rice 70 Glow Collagen Mask, £16
- Best Ceramide Eye Cream: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3, £42
Best Ceramide Cleansers
This glorious cleansing balm feels like silk and is fast and extremely effective at breaking down makeup, SPF and impurities. It also deeply hydrates and leaves skin comfortable and supple. It has a stellar ingredient line-up, with calming and redness-reducing chamomile, barrier-fortifying ceramides, brightening and exfoliating azelaic acid, fruit enzymes and nourishing antioxidant vitamin E.
Pros
- Brightening
- Nourishing
- Removes longwear makeup and SPF
Cons
- On the pricier side
I’m always a little wary of cleansers that promise to do everything, but this is a genuinely lovely addition to a routine. It starts as a silky cream before whipping into a soft foam, making light work of removing makeup, daily grime and excess oil without leaving my skin feeling tight afterwards.
Pros
- Hydrating
- A lovely texture
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- None
Best Ceramide Serums
Naturium is a real winner at creating incredibly effective, clinical skincare at an affordable price. This serum deeply hydrates and plumps with squalane and urea. It also helps to fortify the skin barrier with ceramides and cholesterol to keep that moisture locked in. Bouncy, dewy skin is yours.
Pros
- Adds a dewy finish
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons
- Not the best for very oily skin as it does contain added nourishing oils and shea butter
If your skin is easily irritated, this is the kind of serum you’ll want to keep within arm’s reach. It has a wonderfully light, cooling texture that feels instantly refreshing on the skin, whilst its ceramide-rich formula helps replenish lost moisture and support the skin barrier. It’s essentially a tall glass of water for unhappy skin, calming, cooling and surprisingly weightless.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Pregnancy safe
- Lightweight
- Soothes skin quickly
Cons
- Not a very big bottle for the price
Best Ceramide Moisturisers
CeraVe is one of my favourites. All their products are great for sensitive skin and focus on strengthening the skin barrier, and all have ceramides as their key ingredient. Incredibly lightweight and extremely hydrating, this product also contains niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, to help support and soothe the skin barrier.
Pros
- More affordable
- Lightweight
- Contains niacinamide
Cons
- Better for dehydrated skin rather than very dry
It's called a lotion, but this product is actually quite a bit thicker than a traditional lotion. It acts brilliantly as a lightweight moisturiser. Ceramide NP supports skin barrier strength, panthenol soothes and glycerin hydrates.
Pros
- Proven to instantly boost moisture levels by +110%
- Boosts moisture for 72 hours
Cons
- Not for extremely sensitive skin as it does have fragrance and alcohol
If your skin is prone to the occasional wobble, this is a brilliant moisturiser to keep close by. It has a lightweight, comfortable feel, but still gives skin that properly moisturised, cushioned finish without feeling heavy or greasy. The formula is centred around barrier-supporting ingredients, including ceramides, alongside soothing actives designed to help keep skin feeling calm. It's a no-fuss option for those days when my skin needs a little extra TLC, but I don’t want to pile on layers of rich skincare.
Pros
- Doesn't clog pores
- No greasy residue
- Works well alongside retinoids
- Supports skin longevity
- Calms reactive skin
Cons
- None
Best Ceramide Masks
If you're familiar with those viral collagen sheet masks that turn clear after many hours of wear, this is one of those. This version from Anua contains a host of calming, soothing and barrier-supporting ingredients, including rice water, ceramides, niacinamide and allantoin. There's also hydrating and plumping low-molecular collagen and glycerin. Wear overnight or for at least four hours.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- You have to wear for multiple hours for the best results
Think of this as a rescue face mask for parched, stressed skin. This makes it especially good when travelling. You can use it as a daily moisturiser, an overnight treatment or as a flash mask, making it highly versatile. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid hydrate, niacinamide calms and refines skin texture, ceramides fortify the skin barrier, and there's antioxidant protection too.
Pros
- Works in just 10 minutes
- No-rinse formula
Cons
- More expensive
Best Ceramide Eye Creams
This eye serum contains powerful retinaldehyde to target fine lines, and it's perfect for retinal beginners due to its time-release technology and barrier-supporting ceramide complex. It hydrates, soothes and de-puffs too.
Pros
- All the effects of retinal, with none of the irritation
- Lightweight serum texture
Cons
- Not for extremely sensitive skin
This rich eye cream soothes and protects the delicate under-eye area with soothing linolenic and linoleic fatty acids and barrier-fortifying ceramides.
Pros
- Soothing
- Doesn't feel greasy or heavy
Cons
- Takes a while to see results
- Not the most affordable option
Best Ceramide Face Oils
This lightweight face oil plumps skin and replenishes moisture. It contains a host of barrier-loving ingredients, including a 5-ceramide complex and nourishing oils. See your fine lines plumped with hydrating squalane.
Pros
- 98% agree skin feels protected against moisture loss and external aggressors
- Lightweight oil
Cons
- Quite a pricey option, but it lasts ages
If you suffer from redness or sore skin, then this provides the hit of nourishment that gets to work instantly. It has a silky, lightweight oil texture that melts into the skin, helping to replenish lost moisture without leaving behind an overly greasy finish.
Pros
- Great for redness
- Great for mature skin
- Deeply nourishing
- Good for undereye area
Cons
- None
How We Tested
Both the wider Who What Wear UK team and our beauty team have tested ceramide products between us. From more affordable products to luxury brands, we tested a range at different price points and rated them on how well they boosted moisture and hydration and improved the skin barrier, in the short and long term. We also paid attention to the formula—for example, the feel of each product. Each ceramide product has been tested by us, as experts, and is genuinely a staple in our routines.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years— spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.