Ceramide NG (commonly still called Ceramide 2) is made by chemically attaching a fatty acid to sphinganine, a building-block molecule, in a lab reaction called amide formation. The sphinganine itself typically starts from a fermentation process using a specific yeast that's one of the only organisms known to produce...
How is it used?
Add it to the oil or lipid phase, or use a pre-built liposomal dispersion, never directly into water. For a real barrier-repair effect, formulate it alongside cholesterol and a free fatty acid rather than using ceramide alone.
Forms
Available forms and grades affect how this ingredient behaves and how it should be selected for a formula.
Appearance
Color, texture, and physical characteristics can vary between suppliers and product grades.
Usage rate
Recommended incorporation levels depend on product type, supplier guidance, and the intended result.
Why we use it
Formulators choose this ingredient for specific performance, sensory, and stability benefits.
Strengths and limitations
Its advantages, compatibility considerations, and practical tradeoffs should be weighed during development.
Alternatives and substitutions
Possible replacements depend on the ingredient's role, desired skin feel, and formulation system.
Storage and shelf life
Appropriate storage conditions help protect quality and performance throughout the ingredient's usable life.
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