The ingredient, explained

Ceramide Np

A specific ceramide studied in a complete moisturiser containing several physiological lipids and glycerin.

Ceramide / barrier lipidHair conditioningSkin conditioning

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Ceramide NP,1‚3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Ceramide / barrier lipid: A lipid ingredient category defined by specific sphingoid-base structures. The exact ceramide and finished formula matter when interpreting research.
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 research on a combination

In 58 adults with a history of eczema, a 28-day comparison of two moisturisers found better barrier-integrity and irritant-response measurements with the multivesicular lipid formula. The paper identifies ceramide NP in that formula and reports a 24% increase in the corresponding 18-carbon skin ceramide species.

What this does not tell us

The creams differed in lipids and delivery system, so this is combination-formula evidence. Changes in the skin ceramide profile do not isolate the contribution of one added ceramide or prove the performance of every ceramide moisturiser.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 40408261 ↗

Research review checked Sep 30, 2026

Selected primary sources were reviewed for the existing research brief on 30 September 2026, with exact ingredient, route and combination limitations recorded. This was a bounded editorial review, not a systematic search.