Dry patches, redness, or tightness? If these symptoms occur to your skin often, chances are your skin barrier needs help—and that help may come from ceramides.
Ceramides are natural lipids (also called sphingolipids) that make up around 50% of your skin’s outermost layer. Think of them as the “glue” that keeps your skin barrier strong, smooth and moist.
Why Your Skin Barrier Needs Ceramides
Think of your skin barrier as a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides (along with cholesterol and fatty acids) are the mortar. This wall’s job? To protect your skin by locking in hydration and blocking out irritants.
But when ceramide levels drop—due to aging, over-exfoliating, or environmental stress—this wall starts to crack. Moisture escapes, irritants sneak in, and your skin can quickly become:
- Dry, flaky, and rough
- Easily irritated or red
- Tight, itchy, or stinging
- Out of balance (e.g. oily yet dehydrated)
This is why ceramides are a must for soothing and repairing the skin—especially when it’s stressed or irritated.
Types of Ceramides and Their Skin Benefits
Not all ceramides are the same. In skincare, you’ll often see names like Ceramide NP or Ceramide EOP—each with slightly different benefits. Here's a breakdown of common types:
| Ceramide Type (INCI Name) | Function | Best For |
| Ceramide NP (Ceramide 3) | Strengthens the barrier, reduces water loss, calms sensitivity | Dry, sensitive, or irritated skin |
| Ceramide AP (Ceramide 6 II) | Promotes skin renewal, smooths texture | Rough, aging, or flaky skin |
| Ceramide EOP (Ceramide 1) | Supports lipid structure, boosts resilience | Sensitive or compromised skin |
| Ceramide NS (Ceramide 2) | Helps hydrate and reinforce barrier | Dehydrated or reactive skin |
| Ceramide EOS | Enhances barrier protection and reduces water loss | Stressed, barrier-damaged skin |
Tip: Products with a combination of ceramide types—like NP + AP or NP + EOP—offer more complete support, especially when paired with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or amino acids.
Meet Your Skin’s Best Friend: Ceramides for Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, your barrier is often thinner or more reactive. Adding ceramides into your routine helps:
- Restore moisture retention
- Reduce redness and reactivity
- Improve skin texture and softness
- Defend against environmental stress
Whether you’re recovering from sensitivity, dryness, or simply dealing with seasonal changes, ceramides provide the cushion your skin needs to bounce back.
ampm’s Top Ceramide Picks
Looking for ceramide skincare that actually works? ampm’s soothing essentials are ideal for skin that’s dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised!
Surfing Aqua Mask with Ceramides & Amino Acids
Featuring 5x Ceramides, 6x Amino Acids, Sodium Hyaluronic Acid, this ultra-hydrating sheet mask wraps your skin in moisture and comfort! Designed with our exclusive Glu Tech sheet, it delivers soothing ingredients deep into the skin to calm redness, dryness, and rough texture in just 15 minutes. Friendly even to sensitive skin.
PDRN Regenerative Oil Serum
This oil serum is unbelievably lightweight—you have to try it yourself! It strengthens your skin barrier with Ceramides + PDRN + Botanical Oils and locks in hydration without clogging pores. Perfect for layering before using harsher actives like acids or retinol to buffer the irritation and protect sensitive skin.
PDRN Repairing Cream
With Ceramides + PDRN + MSM + Niacinamide, this silky cream helps repair damage, reduce redness, and restore bounce. Lightweight but packed with nutrients, it’s the perfect final step to seal in your routine—also ideal under makeup.
Ceramides do more than moisturize—they’re the building blocks of healthy, resilient skin. If your skin feels dry, tight, or reactive, focus on reinforcing the barrier. With consistent care, your skin can feel calm, soft, and balanced again.
That's the ampm way.
