ceramide

noun cer·amide \ ˈsir-ə-ˌmīd , ˈser- \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of ceramide

: any of various lipids formed by linking a fatty acid to sphingosine and found widely but in small amounts in plant and animal tissue

Recent Examples of ceramide from the Web

Sugar Carbohydrate Complex is identical to the skin’s own natural moisturizing factor, and contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which maintain and improve the skin barrier.

— emily barth isler, Allure, "Why Tata Harper's Crème Riche Velvet Moisturizing Cream Is the Ultimate All-Natural Skin Saver," 1 May 2018
To speed recovery in the days after, resist any urge to pick at peeling skin, and apply a gentle moisturizer with ingredients that rebuild the skin’s barrier, like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides.

— cristina mueller, Glamour, "How to Deal With Every Summer Skin Issue, From Sunburns to Bug Bites," 8 June 2018
That intracellular lipid mortar is partly composed of a form of lipids called ceramides.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "11 Things Dermatologists Want You to Know About Sensitive Skin," 16 May 2018
The overnight treatment uses a waxy ceramide formula and peppermint and jojoba oils to coat lips and seal in moisture.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Burt’s Bees Made a Lip Mask," 28 Mar. 2018
But the recent proliferation of various AHA, BHA, and PHA acids and ceramide, niacinamide, and tretinoin creams in my medicine cabinet suggests otherwise.

— lisa haney, The Cut, "What It’s Like to Break Your Face Like Carrie Underwood," 16 Apr. 2018
For the delicate eye area, there’s Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth-Restoring Eye Serum, which reduces puffiness and improves the appearance of crow’s-feet with a robust, moisture-retaining blend of ceramides and fatty acids.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "This Supercharged Skin Elixir Is the Ultimate Spring Beauty Hack," 28 Mar. 2018
The formula contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and panthenol to deeply hydrate the skin.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "How I Used Korean Skin Care to Treat My Hormonal Acne," 9 Mar. 2018
Best-case scenario: When a moisturizer contains ceramides and niacinamide (like the one below).

— maddie aberman, Cosmopolitan, "3 Ways to Make Sure You're Cleaning Your Face Correctly," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceramide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.