Everything You Need to Know About Ceramides—Including the Best Products to Use

No surprise here, but skin-care ingredient trends come and go—with a few exceptions, of course. We know you’re probably already aware of the benefits of the most commonly talked about skin-care ingredients, like vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. But there’s another vital ingredient that should be on your radar: ceramides.

This rockstar ingredient has a variety of benefits that all skin types can benefit from, making it a must-have for anyone looking to boost their skin-care routine at home. So, for those that are unaware of the advantages of this ingredient, we decided to tap New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD to answer all our pressing questions.

First, what are ceramides?

Ceramides are the main components of the skin’s permeability barrier. “Think about ceramides as the glue between bricks in the mortar of a brick wall,” says Dr. Russak. “Ceramides maintain the integrity of the skin, regulate water loss, [and] are involved in immunity by keeping allergens out of the skin.”

Translation: Ceramides work to keep the skin’s protective layer intact. If this barrier is healthy and complete, it can better retain moisture, prevent environmental damage, fight signs of aging, and even prevent certain skin conditions from developing. “It has been shown that deficiencies and changes in ceramide structure or function lead to certain skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and xerosis,” explains Dr. Russak.

Who would benefit from using ceramides?

According to Dr. Russak, everyone should be incorporating ceramides into their routine. “Repairing your own skin barrier is the function of ceramides and therefore all skin types and skin conditions can benefit from ceramide-containing products,” explains Dr. Russak.

That said, those with dry skin can often benefit the most from this ingredient thanks to its hydration-boosting capabilities. Since dryness is often caused by a compromised skin barrier, replenishing the ceramides in your epidermis will restore the barrier and help prevent water loss. 

What ceramide-containing products do you recommend?

Luckily there are plenty of ceramide-based products on the market. A popular option is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which is formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to effectively moisturize and restore the skin. 

Another easy way to build out your ceramide-boosted routine is by incorporating the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser into your daily wash cycle. It’s infused with barrier-building ceramides and plumping hyaluronic acid for a gentle, skin-supporting cleanse.

The bottom line

Since ceramides are responsible for keeping the skin smooth, supple, and hydrated, it’s certainly a good idea for everyone to start incorporating them into their routine. And with our recommended CeraVe products available at local drugstores, you won’t even have to break the bank when shopping for them. Talk about a win-win.