CERAMIDE AP

Ceramide AP

🔬 Scientific context and mechanisms

  • Ceramide AP (α-hydroxy-N-stearoylphytosphingosine) is a skin-identical ceramide naturally found in the stratum corneum.
  • It belongs to the phytosphingosine-based ceramides and plays a crucial role in the organization of lipid lamellae.
  • Particularly important for skin barrier integrity, water retention, and overall skin homeostasis.
  • Levels of Ceramide AP tend to decrease with age, contributing to dryness, sensitivity, and barrier dysfunction.

🌟 Properties and skin benefits

  1. Barrier strengthening and repair
    • Replenishes deficient ceramides in the skin.
    • Reinforces the multilamellar structure of the skin barrier with cholesterol and fatty acids.
    • Improves resistance against irritants, allergens, and environmental stress.
  2. Hydration and moisture balance
    • Reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
    • Enhances hydration and smoothness of the stratum corneum.
    • Helps maintain long-lasting softness and comfort.
  3. Soothing effect
    • Calms irritated or sensitive skin.
    • Reduces redness and discomfort associated with barrier disruption.
    • Beneficial for reactive, atopic, or mature skin.
  4. Anti-aging properties
    • Supports structural integrity → skin feels firmer and more elastic.
    • Helps reduce roughness, dullness, and fine lines caused by dehydration.
    • Plays a preventive role against age-related barrier decline.
  5. Restorative in compromised skin
    • Particularly beneficial for eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis-prone skin.
    • Accelerates recovery in damaged or dry skin conditions.

💊 Cosmetic and dermatological applications

  • High-performance moisturizers for dry or mature skin
  • Barrier-restoring creams and serums
  • Formulations for sensitive, reactive, or atopic skin
  • Post-procedure products (after retinoids, exfoliants, or clinical treatments)

⚖️ Usual concentrations

  • Typically 0.1–1% in cosmetic formulations.
  • Works best in combination with other ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids (the “skin lipid triad”).

🔗 Best synergies

  • Ceramide EOS, NP, EOP → full ceramide spectrum for skin-identical lipid replenishment
  • Cholesterol + fatty acids → optimal lamellar reconstruction
  • Niacinamide → boosts natural ceramide synthesis
  • Hyaluronic Acid & Sodium Hyaluronate → deeper hydration synergy
  • Panthenol & Madecassoside → soothing and repair boost

✅ Summary
Ceramide AP is a skin-identical lipid that:

  • Strengthens and repairs the skin barrier
  • Provides deep and lasting hydration
  • Soothes sensitivity and irritation
  • Improves firmness, elasticity, and smoothness
  • Is essential for dry, sensitive, or aging skin