The ingredient, explained
Ceramide 2
Research examined CERAMIDE 2 under the stated study conditions.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Ceramide 2 -Retired- is the N-acylated sphingolipid having the erythro structure that conforms generally to the formula, where m has a value ranging from 14 to 28 and n has a value ranging from 10 to 16. The INCI Name, Ceramide 2, originally developed in 1997, was designated with a retired status in 2014. For an interim period of time, trade name assignments formerly published with the INCI Name Ceramide 2 will be retained in the retired monograph, and also published with the new name assignment as either Ceramide NS or Ceramide NG.
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Hair conditioning
- Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
- Skin conditioning
- A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Human topical treatment study
The ceramide 2-containing low-friction dressing reduced persistent erythema and increased measured skin hydration relative to no dressing.
What this does not tell us
37 bedridden older patients. Dressing friction reduction and occlusion contribute; no ceramide-only effect or pressure-ulcer reduction was established because neither side developed ulcers.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 17681081 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Human topical treatment study · n=37
Evaluation of a new pressure ulcer preventive dressing containing ceramide 2 with low frictional outer layer. ↗
Journal of advanced nursing · 2007
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Ceramide 2 -Retired- is the N-acylated sphingolipid having the erythro structure that conforms generally to the formula, where m has a value ranging from 14 to 28 and n has a value ranging from 10 to 16. The INCI Name, Ceramide 2, originally developed in 1997, was designated with a retired status in 2014. For an interim period of time, trade name assignments formerly published with the INCI Name Ceramide 2 will be retained in the retired monograph, and also published with the new name assignment as either Ceramide NS or Ceramide NG.
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- CERAMIDE 2
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026