The Basics On Ceramides
What is Ceramides?
Family of waxy lipid molecules, composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid.
What are other names for Ceramides?
CERAMIDE
What is Ceramides used for?
Ceramides are one of nine naturally lipids within the skin epidermis. This family of lipids helps prevent the epidermis from losing moisture1. When people experience dry skin, it is often due to ceramide deficiency in the skin. This can lead to itching, flaking, peeling, and scaling.
How Ceramides is classified
Skin-Restoring, Skin-Replenishing
Recommendations for using Ceramides during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Limited data suggests no known risk
Ceramides During Pregnancy
What we know about using Ceramides while pregnant or breastfeeding
Limited information available.
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol The effects of 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol on reproduction and development were studied in groups of 10 rats/sex/dose by oral gavage. 34 Dose levels tested were 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg body weight/day at a dose volume of 5 ml/kg body weight. The vehicle was a 0.5% aqueous solution of methylcellulose in purified water. Parental males were exposed to the test material 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and about 2 weeks postmating (approximately 6 weeks total). Parental females were exposed 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during gestation, and during at least 4 days of lactation. In the 1000 mg/kg dose group, one pregnant rat was observed with poor clinical condition and body weight loss toward the end of gestation and did not deliver by day 24 post-mating. Fibrinous and necrotic inflammation of the pericardium was observed microscopically. Another female in the high dose group was also observed with poor clinical condition from the end of gestation until day 2 post-partum. A normal delivery was observed in this rat, though, and no abnormal findings were observed at necropsy. The findings in these 2 high-dose females were not considered treatment-related. No treatment-related clinical effects were noted in the other animals in any dose group. No treatment-related effects were observed with mean body weights, mean feed consumption, or mating or fertility parameters (including mean numbers of corpora lutea, implantation sites per litter, pups delivered, and live pups). Further, no increased incidences of mortality, adverse effects on body weight, influence on sex ratio, or treatmentrelated gross malformations were noted in the pups. In the1000 mg/kg/day dose group, one parental male had several findings in the urinary tract, including urinary lithiasis, thickened and red urinary bladder mucosa, and dilated right ureter and pelvic cavity of the right kidney. The researchers could not determine whether these findings were treatment-related or a random event. No other treatment-related effects were noted in parental animals at necropsy. Based on the results of this study on 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, the researchers determined the maternal no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) to be 1000 mg/kg body weight/day, and the NOEL for mating and fertility to be 1000 mg/kg body weight/day.
General safety info about Ceramides from CIR
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviewed the safety of ceramides, which function in cosmetics primarily as hair conditioning agents and skin conditioning agents-miscellaneous. The Panel considered relevant data related to these ingredients. The Panel concluded that ceramides were safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.
Use this, not that!
Products where you might find Ceramides
Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream; COSRX Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream; SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream; Drunk Elephant – Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides ; Lord Jones Acid Mantle Repair Moisturizer With 250mg CBD and Ceramides ; Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
List of References
General sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
1. Ishikawa J, Shimotoyodome Y, Ito S, et al. Variations in the ceramide profile in different seasons and regions of the body contribute to stratum corneum functions. Arch Dermatol Res. 2013;305(2):151-162. [PubMed] 2. Feingold K, Jiang Y. The mechanisms by which lipids coordinately regulate the formation of the protein and lipid domains of the stratum corneum: Role of fatty acids, oxysterols, cholesterol sulfate and ceramides as signaling molecules. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011;3(2):113-118. [PubMed] 3. Feingold K, Elias P. Role of lipids in the formation and maintenance of the cutaneous permeability barrier. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014;1841(3):280-294. [PubMed] 4. Coderch L, L√≥pez O, de la, Parra J. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(2):107-129. [PubMed] 5. di N, Sugino K, Wertz P, Ademola J, Maibach H. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) induced irritant contact dermatitis: a correlation study between ceramides and in vivo parameters of irritation. Contact Dermatitis. 1996;35(2):86-91. [PubMed] 6. CERAMIDES. EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701201/CERAMIDE/. Published 2018. Accessed October 2018. Related Articles: Glossary: Mineral Oil Glossary: cholesterol Glossary: Petrolatum
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.