CosmeticBet
Softeners and thickeners

Ceramide NP

INCI: CERAMIDE NP · also Ceramide 3

A lipid of the skin’s own barrier, added to moisturisers.

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C36H73NO4584.00 g/mol
Phytosphingosine joined to stearic acid, as PubChem describes Ceramide NP
oxygennitrogencarbon
2D drawing from PubChem 9898642 (hydrogens hidden)

How common

All products0.90%
In body lotions2.2%
In lip products1.8%
In sunscreens1.3%

133 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 284 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • A ceramide: ceramides are major lipids of the skin’s outer layer. Ceramide NP (also called ceramide 3) is a phytosphingosine backbone joined to a saturated fatty acid, stearic acid.

    2 sourcesHide
    Ceramides are major lipid components in the stratum corneum of the human skin.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Ceramide 3 consists of a phytosphingosine backbone N-acylated with a saturated fatty acid (stearic acid).[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Why it is in products

  • To condition the skin and hair, and to moisturise.

    2 sourcesHide
    which function in cosmetics primarily as hair-conditioning agents and skin-conditioning agents-miscellaneous[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2020 · open source
    It is widely used as a moisturizer in various cosmetic and personal products.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

What it does

  • In eczema, a 2023 review of five studies found ceramide moisturisers better than other moisturisers on the eczema score, but no different on water loss through the skin.

    Weak evidenceskin3 sourcesHide
    Five articles met the eligibility and inclusion criteria.[3] Review · 2023 · open source
    The change in SCORAD was significantly higher in moisturisers containing ceramide[3] Review · 2023 · open source
    TEWL values were not significantly different in subjects treated with ceramide-containing moisturisers[3] Review · 2023 · open source

  • In a double-blind trial in 53 children with eczema, a paraffin-based moisturiser did about as well as a ceramide-based one, though the trial could not prove them equal.

    Some evidenceskin3 sourcesHide
    Fifty-three patients were recruited (27 ceramide group and 26 paraffin group)[4] Study · 2023 · open source
    Both the paraffin-based and ceramide-based moisturizers were comparable in improving the disease activity in children with mild to moderate AD.[4] Study · 2023 · open source
    the conclusion of equivalence could not be proven[4] Study · 2023 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • The US expert panel concluded that ceramides are safe as used in cosmetics.

    Well establishedSourceHide
    The Panel concluded that ceramides were safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2020 · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

In the skin’s outer layer, where ceramides are major lipids.

SourceHide
Ceramides are major lipid components in the stratum corneum of the human skin.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Rules

European Union

  • No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.

    How we checkedHide
    We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): no entry.open the list

United States

  • Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.

    SourceHide
    Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list

Sources

  1. PubChem: Ceramide NP (CID 57378373), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. Safety Assessment of Ceramides as Used in Cosmetics International journal of toxicology, 2020US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
  3. The Efficacy of Moisturisers Containing Ceramide Compared with Other Moisturisers in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis Nugroho WT et al., Indian journal of dermatology, 2023Review
  4. Evaluation of a paraffin-based moisturizer compared to a ceramide-based moisturizer in children with atopic dermatitis: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial Gupta S et al., Pediatric dermatology, 2023Study
  5. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.