Plus, what ceramides are and why your skin needs them.
In order to keep your skin hydrated and protected, you need one of the best moisturizers. There are so many tubes and jars to sift through, from the best moisturizers with SPF for daily use to the best moisturizers for combination skin to the best night creams for overnight nourishing, it can be hard to pick just one. Deciding on a specific ingredient is one way to narrow things down, and if you’re looking for serious hydration that’s gentle on sensitive skin, you might consider one of the best ceramide moisturizers.
Quick skincare lesson: “Ceramides are naturally occurring substances that are vital to healthy, strong, and well-hydrated skin,” explains Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York. They are lipids (aka fats) that are a normal part of the top layer of skin known as the epidermis, adds Brendan Camp, M.D., who is double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and sees patients at MDCS Dermatology in New York.
The role of ceramides is to strengthen the skin barrier, preventing conditions associated with dry, weak skin, notes Dr. Nazarian. Using a moisturizer that includes ceramides (there are a few different types of ceramides, and products may include any number of them) helps replenish the skin’s ceramide levels to promote healthy skin.
Keep scrolling to check out the best ceramide moisturizers. The list includes expert-recommended products and highly rated options from top brands.
1BEST OVERALL CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
“This is a super cosmetically elegant product,” according to Dr. Nazarian. “It absorbs well, is great for sensitive skin, and contains glycerin and niacinamide, in addition to ceramides, to lock in moisture and improve the skin barrier.”
With more than 22,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, the moisturizer seems to be a fan favorite, too. Many appreciate its light texture and lack of fragrance. “My hunt is over. This is my moisturizer. I hope they never stop making it,” wrote a shopper.
2BEST DRUGSTORE CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERCeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
“One of the originals for highlighting the importance of ceramides, this CeraVe lotion is lightweight and comes with SPF to multitask in the morning,” says Dr. Nazarian. “It has the three ceramides I love: one, three, and six. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it’s good for even acne-prone skin.”
If you still need convincing, the product has nearly 56,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and thousands of positive reviews confirming how great this product is. Many note that it moisturizes without irritating skin.
3BEST MULTITASKING CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERCocokind Ceramide Recovery Balm
This recovery balm from Cocokind is a multitasking hydrator you can use on your face or any other dry spot on your body, from your feet to your cuticles. It uses ceramides, squalane, and oat kernal oil to soften and nourish dry skin. The balm helps prevent moisture loss and supports a healthy skin barrier.
“I love the multi-use of this new product! I use it on my hands, feet, and upper arms,” wrote a reviewer who called it “fantastic.”
4BEST CERAMIDE BODY MOISTURIZERLa Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Ceramide moisturizers aren’t just for your face. You can reap the benefits all over with this body cream from La Roche-Posay. “This product features ceramides, thermal spring water, niacinamide, and shea butter for softer, smoother, healthier skin,” says Dr. Camp.
Amazon shoppers note how quickly it soothes and absorbs into dry skin. “From the very first application, I could feel the difference,” said one user. “The rich texture glides on effortlessly, instantly relieving dryness and discomfort. It absorbs quickly without any greasy residue.”
5BEST VALUE CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERAcure Ultra Hydrating Plant Ceramide Facial Moisturizer
Dr. Nazarian recommends this lotion because it contains a combination of ceramides, aloe, niacinamide, and calendula extract. It’s moisturizing and has anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, the lotion is free of parabens and sulfates.
“I have very sensitive skin, and this doesn’t bother me at all,” said one Amazon reviewer. “It’s very, very rich—a small dab works.”
6BEST CERAMIDE MOISTURIZER WITH RETINOLPaula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer
This moisturizer suggested by Dr. Camp includes five ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and plump skin. It also has retinol to tackle wrinkles and vitamin C to brighten and even skin tone. Use it as a final step in your skincare routine before bed, or apply it in the morning followed by SPF.
“This makes my skin look amazing” said one Amazon reviewer. “I don’t know what it is, but my skin does look more plump and glowing.”
7BEST CERAMIDE MOISTURIZER FOR DAY AND NIGHTDr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
This moisturizing cream includes five ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier. It also calls on panthenol and glycerin to boost hydration, making for a seriously softening lotion for your face. Best of all, you can use it morning and night.
“The cream is lightweight and easy to apply,” according to an Amazon reviewer. “A little does go a long way. What I love most about it though is that it’s not super heavy, sticky, or greasy.”
8BEST SPLURGE-WORTHY CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERSkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
“As a facial moisturizer, this high-end product contains a combination of ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids that simulate the composition of lipids in the skin,” explains Dr. Camp. “It helps to restore the skin’s barrier, hydrate skin, and improve the appearance of laxity [looseness] and smoothness.”
It’s definitely a more expensive option, but it’s a great choice if your budget allows for a splurge. Plus, reviewers say a little goes a long way.
9BEST CERAMIDE HAND MOISTURIZEREltaMD So Silky Hand Crème
Dry, flaky hands don’t stand a chance against this cream from EltaMD. Its formula boasts ceramides, vitamin E, and plant-derived sclareolide to hydrate and protect skin while improving the appearance of discoloration. It’s also fragrance- and oil-free for a non-sticky finish that’s safe for sensitive skin.
“I usually spend the winter months with painful cracked fingers,” explained one shopper. “My dermatologist recommended this product. It really works if you use it regularly. Non-greasy feel; makes hands nice and smooth.”
10BEST ANTI-AGING CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERFresh Black Tea Advanced Aged Renewal Cream
Dr. Camp recommends this cream because it includes ceramides and other anti-aging ingredients, including a retinol-like blend called BT Matrix. It’s also packed with squalane and glycerin to protect and moisturize skin.
One Sephora customer called it the “best cream ever” and gave it five stars. “I’m 46 years old, and this does exactly everything it says it will do. Put it this way: I never buy the same cream twice, and I’ve purchased this three times so far.”
11BEST PROBIOTIC CERAMIDE MOISTURIZERBeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream
BeautyStat makes this probiotic moisturizer designed to soothe, hydrate, and revitalize skin. You’ll find moisturizing hyaluronic acid, skin barrier strengthening ceramide 2, and healing bidfidus and reishi mushroom extract on the ingredient list. For just one ounce of product, the price is a bit steep, but plenty of reviewers swear by it.
“I was pleasantly surprised with this face cream,” wrote one shopper. “A little goes a long way! It’s moisturizing without being oily and doesn’t break my skin out.”
How to choose the best ceramide moisturizer
✔️ Look for variety. “When purchasing a ceramide moisturizer look for products that contain a variety of ceramides,” advises Dr. Camp, “as this more closely simulates the natural ceramides in skin.”
✔️ Consider consistency. “Like other aspects of your skincare routine, choosing the right ceramide moisturizer is a little personal: Some like thicker creams versus lighter lotions,” Dr. Nazarian points out. You may also opt to use a lightweight lotion during the warmer months when the air is humid and a heavier cream in colder seasons when skin is more prone to dryness, adds Dr. Camp.
✔️ Check the price. You can find affordable ceramide moisturizers and more expensive options. Think about your budget before splurging on a new product, and take its size into consideration when eyeing the price.
What is a ceramide moisturizer?
It’s no secret that a moisturizer is a hydrating cream you can apply to your skin. The best moisturizers for dry skin include key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, and niacinamide. Ceramide moisturizers offer these standard perks with the added benefit of replenishing ceramide levels in the skin upon application, Dr. Camp explains.
“Ceramides are lipids, or fats, that function as part of the skin’s barrier,” he says. “Within the top layer of skin, the epidermis, ceramides help to trap moisture within skin and keep the external environment from disrupting the integrity of skin.”
Keep in mind, there are different types of ceramides, often numbered one through nine, explains Dr. Nazarian. “Their usefulness and concentration in our natural skin varies,” she says, noting that the most ubiquitous and important are one, three, and six. Others are denoted with letters, such as EOP.
Can you use a ceramide moisturizer every day?
“Ceramides can absolutely be used daily or even twice a day,” says Dr. Nazarian. “The best time to apply a moisturizer is right after a shower when the skin is still slightly damp, as moisturizers will help trap some of the water into the skin,” adds Dr. Camp.
Benefits of ceramide moisturizer
Moisturizers seal moisture into the skin, preventing redness, itching, cracking, and irritation caused by dry skin, Dr. Camp explains. “Ceramides are featured in some moisturizers because they are a normal component of the epidermis and because of their importance in maintaining the health and function of skin,” he continues.
Ceramides are “incredibly important for skin barrier function,” says Dr. Nazarian. In other words, they help keep the skin barrier strong. “Alterations or deficiencies in ceramides are what lead to some skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and eczema,” she adds, noting that using a moisturizer that contains ceramides may improve symptoms associated with these conditions.
How we chose the best ceramide moisturizer
We interviewed Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, and Brendan Camp, M.D., who is double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and sees patients at MDCS Dermatology in New York, about the benefits of ceramides and what to look for in a ceramide moisturizer. We considered their personal product recommendations, researched products from popular brands, and read customer reviews to narrow down the best ceramide moisturizers.