Ceramide Creams: Are They Better Than Other Moisturisers? The Honest Answer

Ceramide creams are good moisturisers and help dry, eczema-prone skin. But the best reviews found no reliable evidence that one moisturiser beats another [1], and a meta-analysis found ceramide creams no better than other moisturisers at reducing water loss through the skin [2]. 'Restores your barrier better than other creams' is marketing, not evidence.

Ceramides are fats that make up about half of the lipids between your skin cells. Products use synthetic, plant or 'pseudo' ceramides. On labels look for Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NS (older names: Ceramide 1, 2, 3) and the precursor Phytosphingosine.

Moisturisers in general. A Cochrane review of 77 trials with 6,603 people found moisturisers reduce eczema flares and the need for steroid creams — but found no reliable evidence that any one moisturiser is better than another [1].

Ceramide versus other creams. A 2023 meta-analysis of five studies found ceramide moisturisers did not reduce water loss more than other moisturisers, and improved eczema severity only very slightly more [2]. In a double-blind trial in 53 children, a ceramide cream was no better than a simple paraffin moisturiser after three months [4].

Moisturising versus nothing. In 64 children with eczema, a ceramide routine delayed the next flare to a median 89 days against 27 days with body wash alone [3] — evidence that moisturising helps, rather than that ceramides do, since the comparison had no moisturiser. One application of a ceramide cream raised hydration for 24 hours in another study [5]; both of these were industry-funded.

Dry, tight and eczema-prone skin — and anyone who simply likes the texture. The practical lesson: pick a ceramide cream you will actually use twice a day, and do not pay a premium for 'more ceramides' expecting a different result.

The products below contain ceramides and are compared daily across UK retailers, delivery included. Many also contain panthenol — see kbeautymatch.co.uk/blog/panthenol-skincare-evidence.