If you’re struggling to manage excessively dry skin, one ingredient you probably looking out for in your products is hyaluronic acid (HA). However, there’s one other ingredient that could be taking over HA’s throne as the king of hydration: ceramide.
An ingredient many dermatologists recommend to their patients with eczema, ceramides are able to retain moisture well and strengthen our skin barrier. To learn a little more about this ingredient and find out why you should be using ceramide moisturisers, keep reading.
What Is Ceramide?
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Ceramides are lipids or fats that are found naturally in our skin cells. They are a vital component of the skin that form the skin barrier to help the skin retain its moisture as well as allow for proper function by preventing water from evaporating.
You may be wondering, “If our body naturally produces ceramides, why do we need them in skincare products?” Well, here’s the thing – as we age, we tend to lose an increasing amount of ceramides in our skin over time.
Other factors such as using harsh exfoliants or alkaline soap that can throw off our skin’s pH balance, our diet, and environmental factors like sun damage, can deplete our skin’s ceramides too.
The good news is that you can effectively replenish your skin’s ceramide levels with skincare products, such as ceramide moisturisers. These will bump up your skin’s moisture level and promote a healthier, stronger skin barrier.
Why Do We Need To Use a Ceramide Moisturiser?
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When the skin lacks ceramide, its barrier can be compromised, resulting in skin dryness and irritation. Adding a skincare product containing ceramide is essential to maintaining healthy skin and preventing dryness, especially if you’re looking to step up your anti-ageing game.
A ceramide moisturiser helps lock in hydration and nutrients to keep your skin well-protected. To get the most out of your ceramide moisturiser, slather it on immediately after a shower or bath. When your skin is damp, it allows for better product absorption.
If you’re unsure about which ceramide moisturiser to start with, we’ve done the legwork for you and gathered 16 of the best ceramide moisturisers on the market. Go ahead and take your pick!
Best Ceramide Moisturisers in Malaysia
The INKEY List Ceramide Night Treatment
Give your skin the care it needs to remain healthy and beautiful with this night treatment by The INKEY List. This formula is infused with 3% ceramides and 2.5% hyaluronic acid, both of which helps to keep your skin hydrated and supple as they strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
The INKEY List Ceramide Night Treatment (30ml) retails for RM80 at Sephora.
Mamonde Ceramide Light Cream
This moisturiser by Mamonde contains ceramide PC-104 and hibiscus syriacus, which strengthen the skin’s barrier to deliver moisture to the deeper layers of the skin while providing long-lasting hydration. Its non-sticky formula delivers a soft, comfortable texture on the skin too.
Mamonde Ceramide Light Cream (50ml) retails for RM265.10 at Shopee.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is ideal for dry to extremely dry skin as it’s packed with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It hydrates the skin and restores the skin’s protective barrier. This fast-absorbing cream features the brand’s patented MVE Delivery Technology, which helps to release a steady flow of moisturising ingredients throughout the day.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (340g) retails for RM125 at Shopee.
Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer Anti-ageing!
Looking for something that can hydrate and firm your skin at the same time? With a concentrated blend of ceramides, vitamin C, and retinol, this moisturiser offers exactly what you need. It provides anti-ageing benefits thanks to the combination of active ingredients, which visibly smooths wrinkles and firms your skin while also delivering ample hydration.
Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer (50ml) retails for RM295 at Zalora and Paula’s Choice
Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream
Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream pairs ceramide with rose oil to deeply hydrates the skin for lasting nourishment. This ceramide moisturiser protects the skin against free radicals by using a blend of powerful antioxidant-rich botanicals. What’s more, it absorbs quickly into your skin to restore its elasticity.
Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream (50ml) retails for RM121 at Sephora.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Most popular!
This moisturiser by The Ordinary contains NMF (Natural Moisturising Factors), including 11 amino acids, fatty acids, ceramides, phospholipids, hyaluronic acids, and many other compounds that are naturally present in the skin. Your skin will be well protected and also receive an instant hydration boost with regular use.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (100ml) retails for RM85 at Sephora.
Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
Sunday Riley’s Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream features ceramide, vitamin F, and pomegranate sterols to fend off damaging free radicals and drench your skin in nourishment. Infused with beetroot and coconut extracts to pull hydration into the skin, the lightweight, rich formula helps to seal in moisture for a glowing complexion.
Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream (50g) retails for RM305 at Sephora.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer has a unique prebiotic action on the microbiome (a population of microorganisms on the skin surface) that keep the skin healthy. Besides restoring the skin’s natural protective barrier, this ceramide moisturiser can also replenish moisture for up to a whopping 48 hours.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer (75ml) retails for RM180 at Shopee.
Mario Badescu A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer Great for oily skin!
Searching for something to rejuvenate dry, dull skin? This lightweight moisturiser from Mario Badescu is infused with ceramides, squalene, and extracts of lemon and lemongrass that work hand in hand to give you a smoother and brighter complexion by boosting your skin’s natural radiance.
It also contains an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), which is an exfoliating ingredient that can sensitise the skin, so you may want to use this only in your nighttime routine. Those with combination or oily skin often rave about the amazing results they’ve seen with this moisturiser.
Mario Badescu A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer (59ml) retails for RM130 at Zalora.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
If you are experiencing dryness, itchiness and discomfort, this deeply moisturising cream from Dr.Jart+ is what you need! It is formulated with 5-Cera Complex, which provides long-lasting moisture as it strengthens the skin’s protective barrier to prevent moisture loss. The ceramide moisturiser is also infused with beetroot and hyaluronic acid for extra hydration throughout the day.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream (50ml) retails for RM180 at Sephora.
SKIN INC Pure Serum Infused Moisturizer
This powerful 10-in-1 ceramide moisturiser contains skin-fortifying ingredients, such as squalene, vitamin C, algae extract, licorice, pearl protein, and brown seaweed to reduce signs of premature ageing while nourishing the skin. Most users managed to see results within a few weeks! Since it has a lightweight texture, it doesn’t have a sticky or greasy after-feel too.
SKIN INC Pure Serum Infused Moisturizer (30ml) retails for RM220 at Sephora.
COSRX Moisture Power Enriched Cream
The COSRX Moisture Power Enriched Cream is a ceramide moisturiser that’s infused with vitamin B5 and propolis, which are popular hydrating and skin-strengthening ingredients, making it suitable for those who have dry, dehydrated, and even sensitive skin.
COSRX Moisture Power Enriched Cream (50ml) retails for RM58 at Shopee.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream has been widely praised by those who have eczema and psoriasis, and for a good reason. Apart from lasting hydration, this rich ceramide moisturiser hydrates and calms the skin with the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and soothing eucalyptus oil.
Though it contains an essential oil, it doesn’t give off a strong fragrance. Since it has a thicker texture, you may want to reserve this ceramide moisturiser for your night routine.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (56.7g) retails for RM85 at Sephora.
Ceradan Hydra Moisturiser
When you have eczema, sensitive, or dry skin, dealing with unexpected flare-ups can be pretty annoying. The Ceradan Hydra Moisturiser is made with ceramide and sodium hyaluronate – the former rebuilds the skin’s protective barrier, while the latter draws moisture to the skin to lock in hydration.
Ceradan Hydra Moisturiser (80g) retails for RM79.25 at Watsons.
Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream
Holika Holika’s Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream contains ceramides, yeast extract, and shea butter to deeply hydrate the skin, protect the cells from UV damage, improve the elasticity of the epidermis as well as preserve a healthy protective barrier. The aloe vera extract in the formula relieves inflammation, which makes it perfect for those with acne-prone skin too!
Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream (60ml) retails for RM115.90 at Shopee.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream is a rich moisturising repair cream that deeply hydrates the skin without leaving any greasy feeling after. The ceramide moisturiser uses only skin-friendly ingredients, such as squalane, omega fatty acids, and plant sterols to restore the skin’s natural barrier and boost its radiance.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream (50ml) retails for RM319 at Sephora.
Featured image credit: @holikaholika_official and @firstaidbeauty on Instagram
