Ceramide NG at a Glance
- A specific ceramide found naturally in skin that can be replicated as a cosmetic ingredient
- Works to improve skin’s barrier strength, hydration, and suppleness
- Deemed a safe cosmetic ingredient by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
- Formerly known as ceramide 2
Ceramide NG Description
Ceramide NG (formerly known as ceramide 2) belongs to a larger group of ceramides that are found naturally in skin as long chains of lipids (fats). The “NG” refers to this ceramide’s sphinganine base.
Healthy skin is made up of approximately 50% ceramides. Decreased levels of ceramides lead to weaker barrier strength, making skin more vulnerable to external stressors and dehydration.
As a skin care ingredient, topical application of ceramide NG can step in to help fill this gap and replenish skin’s barrier, so it is better able to defend itself from external stimuli. Single ceramides work best when combined with other replenishing ingredients to improve skin’s hydration, resiliency, and suppleness.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel’s 2020 assessment concluded that ceramide ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use, typically no more than 0.01%.
Ceramide NG References
International Journal of Toxicology, 2020, pages 5S-25S
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, August 2019, pages 1-15
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, October 2014, pages 2473-2483
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 2014, pages 177-184
Journal of Lipid Research, July 2008, pages 1,466-1,476
Journal of Lipid Research, September 2007, pages 1936-1943
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003, pages 107-129
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, November 2001, pages 1,126-1,136
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, September-October 2001, pages 261-271