![The 13 Finest Ceramide Moisturizers of 2024 The 13 Finest Ceramide Moisturizers of 2024](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/10g-8fu3eRcB-gLae0vAf0EW9IY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ceramide-moisturizers-tout-78c5ae58f9e146cc89036a48fba8b24d.jpg)
Moisturizers are an underrated strategy to provide your complexion with varied skin-loving substances in only one product, typically containing much more than focused serums and coverings. A moisturizer ingredient with many advantages that we love is ceramides, that are lipids naturally discovered within the pores and skin that assist it retain moisture, based on board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. “Ceramides function the glue that helps hold the pores and skin cells collectively, which helps defend the pores and skin from exterior stressors in addition to forestall water loss,” she says. “As we age, our ceramide ranges lower, and our pores and skin barrier weakens—so it could possibly assist to search for merchandise that include ceramides and different substances to assist and strengthen the pores and skin barrier.” A broken pores and skin barrier can typically present up as dehydration, dullness, and constant pores and skin irritation—and it may be made worse by the setting and different exterior components. Integrating a ceramide moisturizer into your routine is the easiest way to maintain your barrier (and pores and skin) wholesome.
We performed hours of analysis to search out the perfect ceramide moisturizers, choosing from dozens of merchandise. We evaluated every choose primarily based on its components, consistency, and really feel on the pores and skin and examined out a pair for ourselves to supply correct insights. After consulting two specialists, together with Dr. Garshick and dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi, we landed on these prime alternatives.
What to Search for in a Ceramide Moisturizer
- Pores and skin kind: With regards to buying any moisturizer, you’ll need to discover one which works to your pores and skin kind. In response to Dr. Saedi, dry and mature pores and skin varieties can profit essentially the most from ceramide moisturizers, however all pores and skin varieties with a compromised barrier ought to add one to their routine. Dr. Saedi recommends selecting a lighter, noncomedogenic components when you have oily or acne-prone pores and skin, and perfume and dye-free formulation when you have delicate or eczema-prone pores and skin.
- Different substances: Ceramides are solely a small a part of every moisturizer, so that you’ll need to test the opposite key substances to make sure they’re helpful for your pores and skin kind and skincare targets. Dr. Garshick says that emollients (equivalent to squalane and shea butter) and humectants (equivalent to hyaluronic acid and glycerin) are present in numerous ceramide moisturizer formulation and may improve the results of the ingredient—working to attract in moisture, calm irritation, and hold the pores and skin wholesome.
- Packaging: The vast majority of moisturizers are available in a pot, and it may be simply contaminated in case your fingers aren’t clear when utilizing the product. We advocate ones that include a bit spatula or applicator or ones that are available in a squeeze tube to restrict any micro organism from rising. For choices which might be neither, simply ensure you’re washing your fingers earlier than scooping out the product.
Comes with a separate applicator for hygienic utility
Feels light-weight on the pores and skin however deeply hydrates
Boosts radiance and treats darkish spots
Key Elements: Plant ceramides, peptides, niacinamide | Measurement: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Formulated with three varieties of ceramides, this lush moisturizer from Eadem can perform a little little bit of the whole lot—heal a broken pores and skin barrier, quench dry pores and skin, soothe irritation, and even raise darkish marks. It’s full of a few of our favourite substances for all pores and skin varieties—together with niacinamide (to even the pores and skin tone), peptides (to deal with indicators of growing old), squalane (to hydrate), and extra for an total wholesome complexion. The whipped, creamy texture makes it straightforward to unfold throughout the face and sinks in simply with none stickiness. Whereas it appears heavy at first, it’s just about unnoticeable on the pores and skin seconds after making use of.
When testing this product, I liked that my pores and skin would look glowy and clean upon waking, and that the cream would instantly soothe my pores and skin that will get very dry after having a shower. I discovered that my pores and skin additionally felt extra hydrated total—even earlier than I had utilized my skincare. I additionally love that it comes with a bit golden spatula to use the cream, making the expertise much more luxurious.
Soothes and hydrates dry, flaky pores and skin
Strengthens the pores and skin barrier
Can be utilized on the face and physique
Key Elements: Ceramide NP, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin | Measurement: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
This deeply hydrating cream is the right choose for these coping with eczema or rosacea—it incorporates the whole lot really helpful by dermatologists to appease irritated pores and skin, together with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter—and ceramides, in fact. “Not solely does this cream assist with hydration, however it additionally helps to guard the pores and skin and affords a barrier impact, defending the pores and skin towards irritation and sensitivity,” says Dr. Garshick, who personally recommends this should you’re on the lookout for softer—and stronger—pores and skin. It has a wealthy consistency that’s in a position to rapidly calm infected pores and skin with out feeling heavy or leaving a residue. We love that the hydration it supplies lasts lengthy (for twenty-four hours, based on the model) and may nourish dry, chapped pores and skin with out inflicting burning or stinging.
Key Elements: Ceramide NP, centella asiatica, glycerin | Measurement: 2.82 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
This moisturizer from Cosrx has a wealthy balm texture, however acne-prone pores and skin varieties shall be happy to search out that it could possibly deeply hydrate the pores and skin with out triggering breakouts. I’ve used this components for years, and it grew to become the primary thick moisturizer that I may use that didn’t lead to little whiteheads throughout my complexion. Whereas it’s wealthy, it spreads simply, immediately absorbs and doesn’t really feel sticky on the pores and skin after utility. It’s formulated with ceramides, centella, and beeswax—that means it could possibly soothe and moisturize with out inflicting irritation to the pores and skin.
In the event you take care of constant pimples however nonetheless lean on the dry facet, it is a nice choose should you’re on the lookout for a nourishing cream to use earlier than mattress.
Comprises a number of substances to strengthen the pores and skin barrier
Boosts elasticity within the pores and skin
Provides long-lasting hydration
Key Elements: Ceramides, panthenol, glycerin | Measurement: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If a compromised barrier is your largest pores and skin concern, a components full of ceramides and panthenol (a humectant that’s nice for wound therapeutic and strengthening) like this one is strictly what you have to get your complexion again in tip-top form. Dr. Garshick is an enormous fan, and she or he loves that it incorporates 5 completely different ceramides to maintain the pores and skin wholesome and hydrated. It has a silky consistency that may really feel a bit heavy whenever you first apply it, however it does take up into the pores and skin rapidly. Apart from protecting the barrier supported, it additionally has glycerin, shea butter, and vitamin E so as to add moisture again into the pores and skin.
Significantly will increase the moisture ranges within the pores and skin
Plumps and leaves the complexion clean
Absorbs rapidly and doesn’t depart a residue
Key Elements: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramide NP | Measurement: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Belif’s Aqua Bomb has been well-liked with magnificence editors and fanatics alike for its light-as-air gel-cream components that’s in a position to effectively hydrate the driest pores and skin varieties. In response to the model, it could possibly improve the pores and skin’s hydration ranges by 231.4% in simply 10 seconds after utility, which they present in a scientific research with 30 check topics. Alongside ceramide NP, the powerhouse components incorporates squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to maintain dry pores and skin moisturized and soothed for hours. We love that it’s light-weight sufficient for use within the morning and nourishing sufficient to be utilized earlier than mattress and that it’s in a position to plump up the pores and skin to cut back the looks of advantageous traces with continued use.
Works to clean advantageous traces and wrinkles
Mushy, luxurious consistency
Offers the pores and skin a luminous glow
Key Elements: Ceramides, shea butter | Measurement: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Discovering a high-quality moisturizer below $30 generally is a powerful feat, however this ceramide cream from inexpensive model The Inkey Record works simply in addition to many high-end picks. It has a wealthy texture that feels luxurious however sinks into the pores and skin rapidly and doesn’t depart a greasy residue. Shea butter and ceramides additionally work collectively so as to add bounce to the complexion, in order that wrinkles and different indicators of growing old look visibly lifted. The top result’s pores and skin that appears dewy and clean, with a pores and skin barrier that’s sturdy and supported.
Formulated with a wide range of ceramides
Reduces pores and skin discomfort and irritation
Leaves the pores and skin delicate and hydrated with out feeling sticky
Nice worth for the worth
Key Elements: Ceramides, panax ginseng, glycerin | Measurement: 2.45, 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
In the event you’re a fan of Korean skincare, you’ve almost definitely tried (or at the least heard of) this ceramide moisturizer from Illiyoon. It has a wealthy texture that absorbs rapidly and nonetheless feels gentle on the pores and skin, and is stuffed with substances to appease and hydrate all pores and skin varieties—equivalent to ginseng, glycerin, and probiotics. This can be a nice choose for individuals who are coping with dry patches and itchy pores and skin, because it’s in a position to heal irritation—so that you’ll get up with a clean, moisturized complexion. One other plus is that it’s seven-free, that means it’s freed from frequent potential pores and skin irritants and fragrances (so excellent for delicate pores and skin varieties).
Promotes an excellent, clean pores and skin texture
Formulated with 2% ceramides and fatty acids to steadiness the complexion
Antioxidant-rich to guard towards free radicals
Key Elements: Vitamin E, ceramides, rosemary leaf oil | Measurement: 1.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Spending $150 on a moisturizer is clearly not excellent for everybody, however in order for you a components that checks your entire bins, this one from SkinCeuticals has you lined. It’s full of nutritional vitamins and antioxidants to maintain the pores and skin protected against free radical injury, increase elasticity, and clean advantageous traces and wrinkles. It’s formulated with substances that your pores and skin wants extra of as you age—equivalent to ceramides, ldl cholesterol, and fatty acids—to maintain the complexion trying youthful and radiant. It has a thick texture (excellent for making use of earlier than mattress), however it feels soothing and doesn’t make the pores and skin oily. We particularly love this components for individuals who are utilizing sturdy actives or retinol persistently, because it retains the pores and skin feeling ultra-nourished and comfy.
Hydrating with out leaving the pores and skin feeling sticky
Appropriate for all pores and skin varieties, even very delicate
May be additionally used on the face
Key Elements: Prebiotic thermal water, ceramide 3, shea butter, niacinamide | Measurement: 6.7, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Ceramides aren’t solely helpful for the pores and skin in your face however are additionally a terrific ingredient to make the most of should you take care of dry physique pores and skin. This lotion from La Roche-Posay incorporates the ingredient alongside prebiotic thermal water and shea butter to supply long-lasting hydration. Our favourite factor about this components is that it successfully moisturizes parched pores and skin and softens scaly dry patches however doesn’t really feel sticky as soon as utilized. This makes it a terrific selection for making use of proper earlier than mattress or earlier than getting dressed within the morning; you received’t have to fret about it sticking to your sheets or garments.
Key Elements: Plant ceramides, phytosphingosine, African oil mix | Measurement: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
One other suggestion by Dr. Garshick, this cream from Drunk Elephant is nice for all pores and skin varieties—however particularly helpful for these with tough, dry pores and skin. It has three varieties of ceramides, a hydrating African oil mix, and a phytosphingosine, which is “a plant-derived fatty molecule to assist replenish moisture,” based on Dr. Garshick. She additionally loves that it’s nongreasy with out compromising on hydrating energy. It is available in a hygienic pump-top tub, with a wealthy, whipped texture that gives the pores and skin with long-lasting moisture and retains the complexion clean and line-free.
Gained’t irritate acne-prone or delicate pores and skin varieties
Promotes agency and plump pores and skin
Strengthens the pores and skin barrier
Key Elements: Ceramides, tripeptide-5, watermelon seed oil, squalane | Measurement: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
If thick lotions are likely to trigger irritation or set off breakouts for you, this light-weight ceramide moisturizer will nonetheless increase hydration and barrier energy with out feeling heavy on the pores and skin. Coming in a handy pump bottle, this components incorporates a number of varieties of ceramides and peptides to maintain the pores and skin protected and scale back indicators of growing old within the complexion. As a result of it additionally has shea butter, vitamin E, and squalane, we predict it’s a terrific choose for mixture pores and skin varieties who’ve each dry and oily spots—it retains the pores and skin moisturized with out changing into greasy.
Soothes and nourishes dry pores and skin
Works to raise wrinkles and advantageous traces
Leaves the pores and skin plump and glowy
Key Elements: Ceramide NG, squalane, meadowfoam estolide | Measurement: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Coping with bouts of delicate pores and skin and irritation? This wealthy components will soothe whereas supporting the barrier—so that you’ll have much less cases of sensitivity sooner or later. It has a mix of peptides, lipids, and plant-based ceramides to heal and situation the pores and skin from the within out. Additionally included within the components is squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and vitamin E to moisturize and hold the pores and skin trying glowy and radiant. My favourite factor about this cream is that absorbs rapidly, instantly making the pores and skin really feel delicate and clean. Whereas it is wealthy, it feels light-weight and comfy on the pores and skin. It additionally by no means brought about irritation or pimples, which is frequent for me, and I liked that my pores and skin nonetheless felt hydrated within the morning. One other plus—it may be used day and night time and is mild sufficient for all pores and skin varieties.
Key Elements: Multi-ceramide complicated, vitamin E, glycerin | Measurement: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
With regards to treating advantageous traces and wrinkles, it’s greatest to have a routine the place each step has anti-aging advantages. In the event you’re on the lookout for a moisturizer to just do that, we advocate this one from Medik8. Formulated with superfood antioxidants and a ceramide complicated, it really works to agency, nourish, and add a glow for pores and skin that appears ageless and bouncy. The model designed the cream particularly for use after retinol (which you’re in all probability already utilizing if anti-aging is your routine) to appease any irritation attributable to the ingredient and supply a lift of hydration. We additionally love that it has a creamy, whipped texture that feels luxurious when making use of, and it’s made with out synthetic perfume or dyes.
Why Belief Byrdie
Shannon Stubbs is an skilled magnificence commerce author with over six years of expertise. She has been a workers author at Byrdie since 2022, the place she covers skincare, make-up, and haircare. To write down this text, she researched dozens of choices, analyzing formulations to search out the perfect available on the market to advocate to readers. She additionally examined a few the picks, being attentive to their consistency, hydrating results, and long-term advantages. Shannon obtained a bachelor’s diploma in journal journalism from Syracuse College and has written magnificence articles for a number of retailers.
To write down this text, she consulted the next specialists:
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist with places of work in Manhattan and Englewood. She accomplished her residency at Cornell’s New York Presbyterian Hospital and focuses on pores and skin situations equivalent to pimples, eczema, and wrinkles.
- Dr. Nazanin Saedi is a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist who focuses on beauty dermatology and laser surgical procedure. She relies in Philadelphia, the place she practices on the Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Assembly Pores and skin & Laser Middle.