Tester feedback: “There’s nothing I love more than hitting empty on a skin-care product. It’s just so satisfying,” says associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen. “What’s even more satisfying is that I’ve emptied almost three jars of this Inkey List moisturizer—it’s that good. My sensitive skin just drinks up the ceramides.”
Key ingredients: ceramides, shea butter, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What do ceramide moisturizers do?
“Ceramides are fatty acids in the skin that help to maintain the skin barrier and retain moisture and hydration,” Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Think of ceramides as the building blocks of your skin—naturally found in high concentrations within cell membranes, they play a major role in keeping skin strong and supple. “They hold skin cells together on the top layer of the skin, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture,” explains Ellen Marmur, MD, a fellow New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, adding that they also protect your skin against environmental stressors—which is why they’re a mainstay among the best moisturizers.
“Extreme cold-weather temperatures, exposure to hot water, and dry heat can all deplete the ceramides stored in your skin,” says Dr. Idriss. As a result, it’s critical to introduce ceramide-fortified products to lock in moisture and restore your skin’s barrier function. They’re also a key ingredient to look out for when treating skin conditions like eczema or moisturizing your skin after a laser treatment.
How should I choose a ceramide moisturizer?
When scanning your ingredient lists, look out for a wide range of ceramides, like ceramide NP, AP, EOP, NG, NP, and NS, as well as phytosphingosine and sphingosine. Another power duo to keep an eye out for? Ceramides and humectant combos, like hyaluronic acid, together supply the hydration that ceramides then seal into the skin. Dr. Shamban recommends layering ceramide products atop humectant serums, so choosing a ceramide moisturizer that fills that spot in your routine is a smart move.
At the end of the day, the best ceramide moisturizer for you is the one that you’ll actually want to use. So keep an eye out for bonus benefits that fit your skin goals, be it wrinkle tightening, glow-boosting, or beyond.
Meet the experts
- Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in Beverly Hills and the founder of Ava MD and Skin Five Medical Spas
- Leah Ansell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City at Treiber Dermatology Associates
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New York City
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.