The best ceramide moisturizers are having a serious moment—and for good reason. This powerhouse ingredient isn’t just a buzzword; they’re essential for anyone serious about healthy, balanced skin. Known for their ability to fortify the skin’s natural barrier, ceramides have quietly become the must-have ingredient in skincare routines everywhere. “Ceramides are a type of lipid, or fat, that exists naturally in the top-most layer of the epidermis. They are essential for maintaining the proper balance of lipids in the skin, which is important to uphold the barrier function of skin and moisture levels,” double board certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Ceramide Moisturizers
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Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens attributes this surge in popularity to social media’s growing influence “as the public has grown more interested in skin-care ingredients,” she tells Vogue, explaining how viral videos have made easily accessible brands mainstream, whose star ingredients are often ceramides.
Plus, ceramide moisturizers come in a delightful spectrum of textures, catering to every skin type and preference. From rich, indulgent creams that envelop your skin in a comforting cocoon of moisture to lightweight, gel-like formulas that absorb without a trace, there’s something for everyone. Those with dry or mature skin often gravitate toward the thicker, balm-like textures that deliver intense hydration and barrier repair. In contrast, oily or combination skin types might prefer the fresh, breathable feel of a gel. This versatility ensures that no matter your needs, you can enjoy the benefits of ceramides without compromising comfort or finish.
Below, shop the 13 best ceramide moisturizers recommended by experts, along with holy grail picks from Vogue editors themselves.
Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
- Why We Love It: A top recommendation for a variety of dermatologists, expect this to restore the skin barrier and help it repair itself over time. “I especially love SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid 2:4:2 moisturizer because it includes natural cholesterol, pure ceramides, and fatty acids—which are essential to protect the skin barrier,” Dr. Magovern says, adding its also helpful for those looking to treat signs of agin . “These key lipids not only protect the skin, but also restore moisture and elasticity.”
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, natural cholesterol, fatty acids, essential oils (lavender, rosemary, and peppermint)
- Available size: 1.6 fl oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best French Pharmacy: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is beloved by dermatologists for a good reason: it does exactly what it promises. The lightweight, oil-free cream sinks in effortlessly, instantly soothing skin with a refreshing dose of prebiotic thermal water and barrier-repairing ceramides. Niacinamide adds a layer of calm (redness, be gone), while glycerin locks in hydration for the long haul. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, it plays well with everything from exfoliants to actives, making it a true staple for even the most sensitive complexions.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin, prebiotic thermal water
- Available Size: 3.38 fl oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best with Peptides: Rhode Barrier Restore Cream
- Why We Love It: While many barrier creams tend to feel heavy or greasy, Rhode’s Barrier Restore Cream stands out with its ultra-lightweight feel that still packs a serious hydration punch. A key player in Bieber’s skincare lineup—and one of the brand’s earliest launches—it’s enriched with nourishing shea butter, hydrating squalane, niacinamide, and peptides designed to soothe dry, sensitive skin. These powerhouse ingredients blend seamlessly with almost any other skincare products, whether exfoliating acids or retinols, and its featherlight texture makes it a fuss-free, dependable moisturizer—no wonder it’s a staple in Vogue senior beauty writer Kiana Murden’s collection. Adding to its credibility, Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali named it his go-to moisturizer, previously telling Vogue, “I either use the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream or [its] Glazing Milk depending on how much hydration I need (and time of year).”
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, squalane, peptides, acai, niacinamide
- Available size: 50 mL
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best for Eczema: Ilia Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream
- Why We Love It: Crafted for reactive and sensitive skin, this fragrance-free moisturizer delivers intense hydration without the heaviness. Its silky texture absorbs effortlessly, leaving skin plump, calm, and fortified. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and algae hydrogel, it’s a go-to for those battling dryness, irritation, or environmental stressors. Accepted by the National Eczema Association, it’s a clean, effective choice for skin that needs a little extra TLC.
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, algae hydrogel
- Available Size: 1.69 fl oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best for Acne Prone Skin: Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
- Why We Love It: Purito’s Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream is a soothing powerhouse for sensitive and compromised skin. It is formulated with 10% panthenol (vitamin B5) and deeply hydrates and reinforces the skin barrier. At the same time, Damyang bamboo extract mirrors the body’s natural moisture to keep skin healthy. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving a dewy finish without greasiness. Ideal for layering after actives like retinol or vitamin C, this vegan, cruelty-free cream is a gentle yet effective choice for dry, irritated, or acne-prone skin. “This is my all-time favorite moisturizer because it’s completely non-comedogenic and so lightweight. It instantly absorbs and layers well under makeup,” says Vogue’s beauty commerce writer, Conçetta Ciarlo.
- Key Ingredients: 10% panthenol, bamboo extract, squalane, niacinamide, madecassoside
- Available Size: 13.38 fl oz
- Type: Gel
- Fragrance: No
Best Rich Moisturizer: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
- Why We Love It: “Like the name suggests, Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream is packed with rich nutrients, including omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants,” says Dr. Magovern. “Natural amino acids strengthen the skin barrier, while humectants like squalane and hyaluronic acid keep it visibly hydrated.” Beyond these powerhouse ingredients, the formula is designed to deeply nourish and replenish even the driest, most sensitive skin types. Its luxurious texture glides on smoothly, absorbing without leaving any heaviness or residue, making it a perfect overnight treatment or an indulgent daily moisturizer. The combination of barrier-supporting components and hydration boosters means skin looks plumper and more radiant and is better equipped to defend against environmental stressors and moisture loss.
- Key ingredients: TFC-8 complex, evening primrose oil, squalane, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed rice protein.
- Available size: 0.5 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No synthetic fragrances
Best for Sensitive Skin: EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex
- Why We Love It: Formulated with a blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, this moisturizer provides deep hydration and strengthens the skin’s natural defenses. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture makes it suitable for daily use, even under makeup. Ideal for those with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin, it helps to soothe irritation and improve skin texture.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide blend, hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide, vitamin E (tocopherol)
- Available Size: 1.7 oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best Viral: Dieux Skin Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturize
- Why We Love It: Dieux Skin’s Instant Angel has swiftly ascended to cult-favorite status, captivating skincare enthusiasts and celebrities alike. “A rich moisturizer without a heavy residue, this product is made with ceramides, glycerin, urea, and squalane to reinforce the skin’s barrier, leaving it strong, smooth and firm,” says Dr. Camp. This lipid and peptide-rich moisturizer offers a velvety texture that melts into the skin, delivering immediate hydration and a luminous glow.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide NG, Glycerin, Squalane, Urea, Meadowstolide
- Available Size: 1 oz, 3.3 oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best with Honey: Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Farmacy’s Honey Halo offers clean, cruelty-free nourishment to lock in moisture for glowing skin. Another TikTok-darling on our list, this is exceptionally hydrating without weighing skin down (and almost four thousand glowing Amazon reviews to back that claim). With consistent use, skin appears brighter and fine lines look smoother. What’s more, Honey Halo is gentle enough for day or night.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide NP, buckwheat honey, royal jelly extract, fig fruit extract, osmolytes, and panthenol
- Available size: 0.3 oz, 0.5 oz, 0.84 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: Yes, natural fragrance
Best with Lipids : Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
- Why We Love It: This rich, nourishing Korean moisturizer is formulated with a lipid complex—including ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol—that closely mimics the skin’s natural barrier. Board-certified dermatologist Michelle Park, MD, shared with Vogue that “the ceramides in question are encapsulated, allowing them to be better retained in the skin barrier for a long period of time, where they seal gaps and lock in hydration for hours.” Designed with sensitive skin in mind, the formula has been allergy and sensitivity-tested, and it’s free from colorants and fragrance, making it gentle enough for everyday use without the risk of irritation.
- Key ingredients: Ceramide, fatty acids
- Available size: 80 mL
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best with Aloe: Clinique Moisture Surge Intense
- Why We Love It: Formulated with activated aloe water and cica (tiger grass), Clinique’s Moisture Surge helps soothe and replenish dry, sensitive skin. Plus, Dr. Amin says that since it’s fragrance-free, it’s a great option for sensitive skin types. “I would supplement this one with a separate sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher for added protection.”
- Key ingredients: Aloe bioferment, cica, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, lipids
- Available Size: 1.7 oz
- Type: Gel
- Fragrance: No
Best New Launch: CosRx Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: COSRX’s The Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer has quickly become a skincare sensation, selling out within two days of its release when it launched in March. This lightweight yet deeply hydrating moisturizer is formulated with a potent blend of seven ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin. Its silky texture absorbs effortlessly, leaving the skin feeling plump and protected without any greasy residue.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide blend, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Available Size: 2.7 fl oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: No
Best Ceramide Blend: Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizer Face Cream
- Why We Love It: Since launching in 2023, Dr. Jart’s ceramide moisturizer earned a devoted TikTok following for its ability to provide deep, lasting hydration. Formulated with a potent blend of ceramides and panthenol, this moisturizer offers a rich, creamy texture that melts into the skin, delivering immediate moisture and a luminous glow. Its unique blend of natural ingredients works harmoniously to strengthen the skin’s barrier, making it a go-to for those seeking dewy, plump skin.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide blend (NP, NS, AP, AS, EOP), panthenol
- Available Size: 1.69 fl oz
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: Yes, with a natural scent
Everything You Need To Know
How Ceramides Benefit Skin
“Ceramides are very important lipids that are naturally found within our body, [which] help to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier and hold hydration in the skin,” says Dr. Stephens, explaining that as we age, the fatty acid levels in our skin reduce over time. That’s why, she says, ceramide-infused products are key to aging gracefully because they “help to keep the skin looking healthy, firm, and plump by minimizing the appearance of fine lines.”
According to New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, they have become a powerhouse ingredient for people with dry, itchy skin. “We know that ceramides are a missing component in people that have eczema, or clinically dry skin,” she says. “Putting on moisturizer with ceramides greatly helps restore the outer layer of the skin.” Dr. Stephens, however, emphasizes that the ingredient can be beneficial for any and everyone—as they “are a crucial component to healthy, hydrated skin.”
For what its worth, there are 12 different types of ceramides, often numbered one to 12, or listed on your skin-care products with a certain acronym like “ceramide EOP” or “ceramide NP.” Generally speaking, using any of the different types will prove beneficial for your skin.
Why You Should Use a Ceramide Moisturizer
“This is one of the few times when you can see a product start to work immediately since hydration begins right after application,” Dr. Stephens says. And so, once you start using a product with ceramides, expect to see results anywhere from right after application to the next day.
Generally speaking, Dr. Stephens explains that ceramides can be incorporated at any part of your routine, but being featured in moisturizers is key: “It can provide great benefit when used in a moisturizer, especially at nighttime, when it’s most important for the skin to repair and maintain hydration.”
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who sees patients in New York and Long Island.
- Dr. Morgan Rabach is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant professor of Dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine.
- Dr. Alexis Stephens is a board-certified dermatologist founder at Parkland Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Coral Springs, Florida
- Dr. Ashley Magovern, a board-certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Dermstore.
- Michelle Park, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.