Ceramide NP (formerly Ceramide 3) is a skin-identical ceramide composed of phytosphingosine and non-hydroxy fatty acid. It is the most abundant ceramide in healthy human stratum corneum and is essential for maintaining the skin barrier, preventing water loss, and protecting against environmental damage.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Skin-identical — matches human ceramide composition
+ Restores and maintains skin barrier function
+ Reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
+ Protects against environmental stressors
+ Improves skin smoothness and elasticity
Pros
+ Most abundant ceramide in healthy skin
+ Extensive clinical evidence for barrier repair
+ Well-tolerated, non-irritating
+ Works at low concentrations (0.01-0.1%)
+ Synergistic with cholesterol and fatty acids
Cons
− High cost compared to conventional emollients
− Difficult to formulate — prone to crystallization
− Requires specific lipid ratio for optimal delivery
− Heat-sensitive — needs cold-process or careful heating
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body, Hair
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Synthetic (biotech fermentation)
Natural Level
Synthetic (nature-identical)
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
0/5 (none)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
1/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed — CIR safe
Japan (MHLW)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
ASEAN
No limit
No limit
Allowed
China (NMPA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Barrier repair cream
0.01 - 0.1%
Anti-aging serum
0.01 - 0.1%
Body lotion
0.01 - 0.05%
References
Coderch L et al. (2003) — Ceramides and skin function. PMID: 12558511
Meckfessel MH & Brandt S (2014) — Ceramides in skin barrier. PMID: 25278987