We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The 7 Best Ceramide Moisturizers, Tested and Reviewed These expert-approved picks improve dryness and skin barrier health. By Lacey Muinos Updated on April 17, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / David Hattan Ceramides naturally occur in the skin and mimic its natural components, making them super effective. There are a few different types of ceramides, but they work pretty much the same to restore lipid (moisture) levels and support healthy skin barrier function. Since skin barrier function is universally important, ceramides in skin care can benefit all skin types and conditions, says Rhonda Klein, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Ceramides help retain moisture, giving skin a firmer, plumper appearance (especially in mature skin), and since they’re skin-replenishing ingredients, they can help reduce redness and irritation in sensitive skin. We consulted board-certified dermatologists to find the best ceramide moisturizers and tested their recommendations in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home for up to four weeks. We reviewed our picks based on their consistency, absorption, hydration, appearance, and value. Lastly, we had an expert from our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical accuracy. Ingredients to Look for in Ceramide Moisturizers Emollients: Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto, Canada, says to look for emollients because they help moisturize and nourish the skin. Squalane is one of her favorite emollients, mimicking the skin’s natural oils. Humectants: Dr. Klein advises looking for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Humectants draw water into the skin and help retain it. Fatty acids: Dr. Klein also suggests fatty acids like ceramides and cholesterol as they support skin barrier function. Peptides: Peptides are best for those seeking anti-aging ingredients since they can increase firmness and plumpness. Our dermatologists also recommend antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide. These can give skin a brighter appearance while also fending off damaging free radicals or external environmental damage. Skin Types and Ceramides Certain types of moisturizers are best for specific skin types based on their consistency and ingredient lists: Dry skin: Dr. Klein says people with skin prone to dryness, eczema, psoriasis, or the signs of aging may benefit most from using a ceramide moisturizer. A thick cream packed with hydrators can be the most beneficial for dry, dehydrated skin.Oily skin: Dr. Klein says an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer is likely more tolerable for those with oily, acne-prone skin.Acne-prone skin: Look for moisturizers free of oils and pore-clogging ingredients for those prone to breakouts. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Refillable Moisturizer at Walmart ($44) Jump to Review Best for Acne-Prone Skin: BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal Moisture Boost Cream at Amazon ($32) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best for Combination Skin: Aestura AtoBarrier365 Lotion at Amazon ($32) Jump to Review Best for Glowy Skin: Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Lightweight: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb at Amazon ($38) Jump to Review Best Thick: Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer at Eadem.co (See Price) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Ingredients to Look for in Ceramide Moisturizers Skin Types and Ceramides Our Picks How We Tested the Best Ceramide Moisturizers What to Look for in a Ceramide Moisturizer Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Refillable Moisturizer Amazon View On Walmart $44 View On Drunkelephant.com View On Ulta $64 Our Ratings Feel/Consistency 3/5 Absorption 3/5 Dryness 4/5 Appearance 4/5 Value 3/5 Pros Thick consistency Gives skin a plump, glowy appearance A little goes a long way Cons Takes a while to absorb into the skin Leaves a slightly greasy finish Why We Recommend It Dry skin calls for a thick, heavy moisturizer, and our top pick delivers exactly that. The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream contains what Dr. Klein considers the three “hero” ceramides—AP, EOP, and NP—along with a blend of African oils and a plant-derived lipid for triple the moisture. She recommends it for those combating dryness, and after testing it ourselves, we concur. Since it’s a whipped moisturizer, we were expecting a lighter consistency but were pleasantly surprised to find it goes on thick. We found that it can take a while to fully absorb into the skin, but it goes a long way, so you only need a little bit. Given its lineup of moisturizing ingredients, we weren’t surprised that it instantly hydrates the skin and gives the complexion a dewy, glowy appearance. Keep in Mind At times, it felt a little greasy, especially amid humid weather, but our editor with combination skin loved how it felt. Key Specs: Size: 1.69 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramides AP, EOP, NP | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, African oils, phytosphingosine | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Best for Acne-Prone Skin BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal Moisture Boost Cream Ulta View On Amazon $32 View On Nordstrom $32 View On Shopbop.com Our Ratings Feel 4.9/5 Absorption 4.9/5 Wear 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Pros Fragrance-free Gel-cream texture Absorbs quickly Cons Feels slightly greasy at first May pill when used with other products Why We Recommend It People with oily, acne-prone skin sometimes fear moisturizers, thinking they could worsen breakouts. Excessive oiliness is often caused by dehydrated skin, so using a moisturizer with humectants can help balance moisture levels. Dr. Klein says this moisturizer is a great option for acne-prone. He notes that the gel-cream formula is lightweight and won’t add shine to oily skin types. Reishi mushroom extract also helps soothe and reduce redness, adds Dr. Klein. Our editor with combination skin noticed an immediate increase in skin hydration and fewer breakouts and rough patches over time. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t take long to rub in. Once it’s absorbed, it feels comfortable on the skin. Keep in Mind We found that it goes on thick and a little greasy, and it may pill when layered with other products. Key Specs: Size: 1.7 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramide 2 | Key Ingredients: Ceramide 2, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, reishi mushroom extract | Skin Type: All skin types Best for Sensitive Skin La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV Walgreens View On Amazon $20 View On Walgreens $22 View On Target $24 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Absorption 4/5 Wear 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 4.5/5 Pros Layers well under makeup Fragrance-free Contains SPF Cons Has a slight sunscreen smell Can leave skin looking shiny Why We Recommend It Daily sunscreen is a must, but if you want to simplify your morning routine, look for a ceramide moisturizer with added SPF like this one from La Roche-Posay. Dr. Klein likes this for morning routines, adding that the SPF 30 is great for everyday use. The light sunscreen smell didn’t linger throughout the day either. Compared to other ceramide moisturizers, this one has a lighter consistency, which makes for a nice base layer under makeup. But the lightweight texture didn’t translate to less hydration. The blend of ceramide NP, niacinamide, and glycerin increases skin hydration and left our editor’s dry skin feeling noticeably smoother and more supple. It's suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin and is free of oils, parabens, and added fragrances. Our editor with sensitive skin didn’t experience any negative reactions after using this moisturizer. Keep in Mind It is a sunscreen product so it does have the sunscreen smell and can leave skin looking shinier than some would prefer. Key Specs: Size: 3.38 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramide NP | Key Ingredients: Ceramide NP, niacinamide, glycerin | Skin Type: All skin types Best for Combination Skin Aestura AtoBarrier365 Lotion Amazon View On Amazon $32 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Absorption 4.8/5 Wear 4.7/5 Hydration 4.9/5 Appearance 4.9/5 Pros Budget-friendly Spreads easily Lightweight Cons It’s a lotion, not a cream Slightly runny Why We Recommend It Ceramide moisturizers tend to have a thicker, richer consistency, and dry skin types soak it up. But for those with oily or combination skin, a lighter lotion does the trick without feeling greasy or heavy. Gabriela Soza, MD, FAAD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, recommends this moisturizer for many skin types since it contains ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to help skin repair itself. Our editor with combination and eczema-prone skin gave this ceramide lotion a nearly perfect rating. It spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and leaves skin feeling more hydrated and nourished. It also helped soothe and soften our eczema-prone editor’s dry patches. Keep in Mind Since it’s a lotion, it won’t moisturize as intensely as a cream, but depending on your skin type, that might be what’s right for you. We also found the texture slightly runny, but it left our editor’s skin looking like glass, so we can’t complain too much. Key Specs: Size: 5.07 fl. oz | Ceramide Type: Not listed | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, glycerin | Skin Type: Normal, dry Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Best for Glowy Skin Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream Amazon View On Amazon $60 View On Shanidarden.com View On Violet Grey Our Ratings Feel 4.9/5 Absorption 4.9/5 Wear 4.3/5 Hydration 4.9/5 Appearance 4.7/5 Pros Feels weightless on skin Oil-free formula Increases firmness Cons May not be suitable for sensitive skin Pricey Why We Recommend It When we asked dermatologists for their top picks, this peptide cream from Shani Darden came up multiple times. It contains a nice blend of actives, humectants, and emollients that pull water into the skin and maintain its moisture levels, explains Dr. Yadav. Its consistency is somewhere between thick and lightweight, and our editor with dry, dehydrated skin was pleasantly surprised at this cream’s performance. Once applied, it feels weightless, so it should make for a smooth base layer under makeup. Skin drinks it up immediately, and after weeks of testing, it left our editor’s dry skin feeling hydrated and looking glowy. Keep in Mind Active ingredients like niacinamide and lactic acid, which appear in this cream, tend to cause irritation in some skin types. If you have sensitive skin, performing a patch test first is always a good idea. Key Specs: Size: 2.5 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramide NG | Key Ingredients: Ceramide NG, peptides, squalane | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Best Lightweight belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Amazon View On Amazon $38 View On Kohls.com $22 Our Ratings Feel 4.3/5 Absorption 3.9/5 Wear 4/5 Hydration 4.8/5 Appearance 4.4/5 Pros Feels cool on the skin Doesn’t leave a greasy sheen Absorbs quickly Cons Contains naturally derived fragrance Leaves a slight residue Why We Recommend It A gel cream like this one is ideal for those with oily skin or for times that call for a lightweight moisturizer, such as during summer days, explains Dr. Yadav. Despite its lighter consistency, it still packs a moisturizing punch with powerhouse ingredients like ceramides and squalane, which help prevent moisture loss, she adds. When we put it to the test, we noticed an immediate difference in skin hydration. It goes on smoothly and we liked that it felt cooling on the skin. While it left a slight residue, it was worth it for the uptick in hydration. Keep in Mind Our only gripe is that it contains fragrance and even has an unnatural blue color, which was a turn-off for our editor who tends to prefer more natural formulas. Key Specs: Size: 1.68 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramide 3 | Key Ingredients: Ceramide 3, glycerin, lady’s mantle | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Best Thick Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer Sephora View On Eadem.co View On Sephora $58 Our Ratings Feel 4.9/5 Absorption 4.8/5 Wear 4/5 Hydration 4.8/5 Appearance 4.8/5 Pros Tailored to melanin-rich skin Contains antioxidants for brightness Increases firmness Cons Can leave skin looking shiny Slightly tacky Why We Recommend It We found that most ceramide moisturizers contain one or two types of ceramides, but this one contains three—ceramides AP, EOP, and NP (the same trio as our top pick). These three ceramides work together synergistically in this thick cream to moisturize and protect the skin barrier, says Brittany Oliver, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Overland Park, Kansas. With a clean ingredient list, this moisturizer was well tolerated by our editor, who has sensitive skin. It absorbs quickly, leaves skin feeling hydrated, and gives skin a dewy appearance. Though it goes on thick and slightly tacky, it dries down into a lightweight, satin finish. It gives the skin an almost “filter-like” appearance, our editor said. It’s also formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin, so it brightens with ingredients that are compatible with skin of color, such as niacinamide. Keep in Mind This product can leave skin looking fairly shiny and may feel tacky to the touch. Key Specs: Size: 1.69 oz | Ceramide Type: Ceramides AP, EOP, NP | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, niacinamide | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao How We Tested the Best Ceramide Moisturizers To find the best ceramide moisturizers, we consulted experts and tested products in The Verywell Testing Lab and the real world. Outside the lab, we tested each moisturizer for four weeks by applying it as the last step of our normal skincare routines and continuing our usual activities. We assessed and picked moisturizers based on the following criteria: Consistency: We spread the moisturizers on a plastic tray using a spatula to gauge spreadability. We also analyzed traits such as viscosity and thickness when applying them to our faces.Absorption: In the lab, we measured how long the ceramide moisturizers took to absorb fully into our skin using a makeup sponge and blotting papers. During the at-home test, we timed how long it took to sink into our skin and then paid close attention to and recorded what the finish looked like when dried down. Hydration: Before applying each moisturizer, we measured the moisture level on our clean skin using a moisture reader and then took moisture readings at the end to compare.Appearance: We paid attention to any differences and improvements in our appearance. If we experienced a negative reaction or irritation, we stopped using it.Value: In the end, we compared the products' performances to their price points to see if their value matched their financial cost. What to Look for in a Ceramide Moisturizer Ceramide type: Ceramides occur naturally in the skin, but synthetic ceramides are used in skin care products. They also tend to be more stable. The most common ceramides used in skin care include ceramide NP (aka ceramide 3), ceramide EOS (aka ceramide 1), and ceramide AP (aka ceramide 6–11). Though they have chemical differences, Dr. Klein says they all offer similar benefits to the skin. The different types of ceramides complement each other, so dermatologists recommend looking for a moisturizer that contains multiple ceramides. Our Experts We spoke to the following experts: Rhonda Klein, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut Brittany Oliver, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Overland Park, Kansas Anthony Rossi, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ava MD Gabriela Soza, MD, FAAD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto, Canada Frequently Asked Questions Is ceramide-based moisturizer good for you? Ceramide-based moisturizers support skin barrier health, which is beneficial for everyone, regardless of skin type. Since they mimic components found naturally in the skin, ceramides are good for all types of skin. Is ceramide similar to CeraVe? CeraVe famously uses ceramides in its skin care products, but ceramides aren’t exclusive to the brand. Many brands also use ceramides in their formulas to increase moisture in the skin and support skin barrier function. How do you use a ceramide moisturizer? Before using a ceramide moisturizer, ensure your skin is clean and treated with any toners or serums you choose. Dr. Oliver says you can use a ceramide moisturizer as needed, which is about twice per day for most people. You should always apply your skin care products in order from lightest to heaviest, as suggested by Dr. Klein. In most routines, a ceramide moisturizer will be the final product or near the end of your regimen. A moisturizer is generally the last step of most skin care routines since its job is to seal in moisture. Why Trust Verywell Health Lacey Muinos is a wellness writer who specializes in skin care and skin health. After interviewing dozens of dermatologists throughout her career, she has based her personal skin care routine around moisturizing ingredients that support skin barrier function. Along with niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane, ceramides are one of her favorite active ingredients. Her favorite serum and moisturizer both contain ceramides, which she attributes to keeping her combination skin balanced. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Crowther JM. Understanding humectant behaviour through their water-holding properties. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021;43(5):601-609. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit