This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on May 26, 2026.
Ceramides work wonders to soften and smooth your complexion. In fact, ceramides make up 50% of your skin’s barrier.
The buzz of the past few years has been how to improve your skin’s microbiome. But if your skin’s barrier isn’t intact in the first place, then this is certainly an impossible task. Instead, we should all be focused on a resilient skin barrier. Ceramides what will help you get there.
What are ceramides and why are they good for your skin?
Ceramides are lipids in your skin’s barrier. These fat molecules help your skin retain moisture, allowing it to function properly. Keeping your complexion moisturized is important, because it helps to protect your skin from harsh environmental conditions, pollution and irritants.
Why is it important to add ceramides back into our skincare routine if our skin already makes it naturally? A few things:
- After the age of 20, your skin starts producing less ceramides naturally, at a rate of 1% each year. Adding these back into your routine will help prevent accelerated skin aging.
- Seasonal changes can also deplete natural ceramides in the skin (cold, dry winter air).
- Overuse or improper use of harsh and exfoliating ingredients such as soap, physical exfoliants, and AHAs will strip away your complexion’s natural ceramides.
- Diet can also throw off your ceramide levels in your skin, so be sure to incorporate protein, green leafy veggies and healthy oils, such as avocado and coconut.
Not sure how to navigate the wild world of ceramides? Here are the specific ingredients to look for in your skincare products:
- Ceramide AP, EOP, NG, NP or NS
- Phytosphingosine and sphingosine (these ingredients help boost your skin’s own ability to make ceramides!)
- Fatty acids, glycerin or cholesterol
While it may be tempting to run out and buy any skincare product containing ceramides, there are only two main products to look for:
- Moisturizer: A high-quality night cream should always contain ceramides. Take a look at your current night cream’s ingredient list—if it doesn’t contain any of the ingredients above, ditch it and find one that does.
- Cleanser: Unfortunately, cleansing your skin is the one place in your routine that has the potential to strip your skin of natural oils, so adding ceramides back into your skin while cleansing can help combat dry, dehydrated skin!
Shop The Good Day Face Cleanser
What’s inside:
- Our Ceramide Complex helps protect your skin barrier from environmental stressors, while softening and soothing.
- Real superberries like Goji Berries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Raspberries slow aging skin by fighting free radicals, promoting cell turnover, and increasing collagen production.
- Using only gentle, plant-based lathering agents, this cocamidopropyl betaine-free cleanser is less allergenic and irritating and perfect for sensitive skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are lipid (fat) molecules that naturally occur in your skin's barrier. They help your skin retain moisture and protect it from environmental stressors like pollution, harsh weather, and irritants.
How much of my skin's barrier is made up of ceramides?
Ceramides make up approximately 50% of your skin's barrier, making them one of its most essential components.
Do I really need to add ceramides to my skincare routine if my skin makes them naturally?
Yes. Starting around age 20, your skin produces about 1% less ceramides per year. On top of that, factors like cold weather, over-exfoliation, harsh cleansers, and diet can all further deplete your skin's ceramide levels.
What ingredients should I look for on a product label to know it contains ceramides?
Look for ceramide AP, EOP, NG, NP, or NS, as well as phytosphingosine, sphingosine, fatty acids, glycerin, or cholesterol. Phytosphingosine and sphingosine are especially beneficial because they boost your skin's own ceramide production.
What types of skincare products should contain ceramides?
The two most important products to focus on are your moisturizer (especially a night cream) and your facial cleanser. Since cleansing can strip your skin's natural oils, a ceramide-infused cleanser helps replenish what's lost.
Can my diet affect my ceramide levels?
Yes. Diet plays a role in maintaining healthy ceramide levels. Incorporating protein, leafy green vegetables, and healthy oils like avocado and coconut oil can help support your skin from the inside out.
Who is most at risk for ceramide depletion?
Anyone over 20 experiences gradual ceramide loss. However, people who live in cold or dry climates, regularly use harsh exfoliants or AHAs, or have a poor diet may experience faster depletion.
