Ceramide NP (Ingredient Explained + Products)

Ceramides are intercellular lipids that bond dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Ceramides are known for their ability to hold water.

Helps with Anti-Aging

Aging skin results from decreased collagen production, sun damage, and slower cell turnover. Proven anti-aging ingredients include retinoids (most effective), vitamin C, peptides, and AHAs. Consistent SPF use prevents further damage.

Some ingredients help hydrate the skin by either drawing in moisture or preventing it from escaping. They're often used to keep skin feeling soft, smooth, and well-balanced.

Some soothing ingredients help calm irritated skin and strengthen your skin barrier. They're particularly beneficial after during flare-ups or for chronically sensitive skin. Look for products with multiple calming ingredients for best results.

Some ingredients are commonly used to help calm visible redness and soothe irritated skin. While they can be effective for many people, results can vary depending on the cause of redness and individual skin sensitivity. If redness persists or worsens, it's best to check with a dermatologist.

Helps with Barrier Repair

Some ingredients support barrier repair by reinforcing your skin’s protective layer, locking in moisture, and defending against irritation and environmental stress.

Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.

Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.

This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.

A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.

Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.

Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.

Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.

What it does

Skin Conditioning To hydrate and soften skin

Prevalence

Somewhat common Percentage of products that contain it

7.7%

Top categories

Moisturizers

Treatments

Cleansers

Position Predominant list placement

Bottom 50%

Concentration Concentrations we've seen

0% to 1%

Ceramide NP

Explained

What it does

Prevalence

References

CosIng Data

Great fit for your skin

Ceramide NP

Explained

What it does

Prevalence

References

CosIng Data