What is a topical cream with ceramides 1, 3 and 6 II?

What do the ceramide numbers mean?

Ceramides are fats naturally present in skin. Skincare products commonly contain synthetic ceramides to supplement those lipids. Ceramide 3 is also called ceramide NP, and ceramide 6 II is also called ceramide AP. Ceramide 1 is also described as ceramide EOS. Names on a current ingredient list can therefore look different from the numbered names you searched for.1

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a familiar three ceramide example. Its Canadian ingredient list names ceramide NP, AP and EOP, alongside glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone, sodium hyaluronate and cholesterol. EOP is a different label name from EOS, so use the current package to check an exact formula rather than assuming every three ceramide cream contains the same trio. CeraVe describes this cream as rich, fragrance free and suitable for normal to dry skin on the face and body.3

What does a ceramide cream do?

The stratum corneum, your skin's outermost layer, contains flattened cells held together by a mixture of lipids. Ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids help form that mixture. The barrier limits water loss and helps keep irritants and allergens out. When the barrier is damaged, skin loses more water and becomes more vulnerable to substances contacting it. A ceramide moisturizer supports this barrier while the rest of the formula helps keep skin hydrated and soft.45

Ceramides work well alongside humectants, which attract and bind water, and occlusives, which reduce evaporation. Useful companion ingredients include glycerin, hyaluronic acid and dimethicone. Emollients help skin feel softer and smoother. You can get these functions together in one moisturizer; a separate product for each ingredient is not required.12

Should you choose a cream, lotion or ointment?

The useful difference is how much dryness each texture can handle, not whether the container looks sufficiently clinical.2

For combination skin, moisturize the dry areas rather than automatically applying a rich cream everywhere. Some occlusive barrier creams aggravate acne on the face. A noncomedogenic label means the product is designed not to block pores, but it is not a promise that you will never break out.25

How do you apply a ceramide cream?

1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser and warm rather than hot water. Hot water can leave dry skin feeling tighter and more uncomfortable.
2. 2Apply moisturizer to damp skin soon after washing. Aim to apply it within three minutes of showering or washing your face.
3. 3Follow the cream's own amount and frequency directions. CeraVe tells you to apply its Moisturizing Cream liberally as often as needed, or as directed by a physician.
4. 4For CeraVe Moisturizing Cream on the face, apply after cleansing and treatments. It can be the final step at night; during the day, follow with sunscreen.

Use moisturizer daily, and reapply when skin feels dry. For excessively dry skin, choose a product you feel comfortable using at least twice a day. Dry hands often need another application after washing. Daytime sun protection should include broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher; a plain moisturizing cream does not replace that step.26

How quickly does a ceramide cream work?

Hydration can improve after a single application. In testing on healthy skin, QV Intensive with Ceramides Light Moisturizing Cream increased hydration and reduced water loss over 24 hours. Hydration was measured at two, four, six and 24 hours, and the QV cream had higher hydration readings than three comparison moisturizers at 24 hours. Those results concern the tested QV formula, not every cream carrying ceramides on its label. A universal timetable for repairing dry or inflamed skin is not available.4

Can a ceramide cream help eczema?

Moisturizers are a main treatment for atopic dermatitis, a chronic itchy condition associated with dry skin. Barrier improving moisturizers can reduce relapses with regular use. Ceramides and cholesterol help restore the lipid layers, while ingredients such as glycerol and petrolatum help maintain hydration. Apply moisturizer soon after bathing and use a gentle soap substitute. Eczema sometimes also needs prescribed treatment for inflammation or infection, so moisturizer is not always the whole treatment plan.7

Who should be careful?

Barrier creams are usually well tolerated, but preservatives, fragrances and other ingredients can cause allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy inflammatory reaction to something touching the skin. If a cream causes a new reaction, stop using it and have persistent symptoms assessed. Most barrier creams should not be applied directly to broken skin. For dry or sensitive skin, prefer fragrance free products. "Unscented" is not the same thing: fragrance can be present but masked.56

See a dermatologist if moisturizing does not help, or dryness becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging or very irritating. If you have diabetes, daily use of a fragrance free ceramide cream or ointment helps keep skin flexible and prevent cracks. Seek immediate medical care for signs of infection, including swollen discolored skin, tenderness or a wound leaking fluid, and for wounds that worsen or fail to heal.26