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Ceramide 3 is a type of skin-identical lipid molecule that naturally occurs in the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of human skin.
Ceramide 3 belongs to the ceramide family, a group of waxy lipid molecules that are critical for maintaining the integrity, hydration, and protective barrier function of the skin.
Ceramide 3 is also known by its chemical name N-stearoyl phytosphingosine, and it has a unique structure that allows it to link together with other lipids like cholesterol and fatty acids to form a strong, protective barrier.
CAS Number: 100403-19-8
Molecular Formula: C24H47NO3
Molecular Weight: 397.63488
EINECS Number: 309-560-3
Synonyms:34354-88-6, Cellapy A Repair, Octadecanamide, N-((1S,2S,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)heptadecyl)-, Octadecanamide, N-[(1S,2S,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)heptadecyl]-, Cellapy A Repair Cream, RefChem:54752, JNH Ato-Care Super Barried ATO-Serum, galactosyl-alpha(1-4)-galactosyl-beta(1-4)-glucosyl-beta(1-1)-ceramide, 812-962-6, Ceramide 3, N-Stearoyl Phytosphingosine, N-(octadecanoyl)-4R-hydroxysphinganine, N-(stearoyl)-phytoceramide, N-[(2S,3S,4R)-1,3,4-trihydroxyoctadecan-2-yl]octadecanamide, N-(octadecanoyl)-phytoceramide, Cer(t18:0/18:0), N-octadecanoyl-4-hydroxysphinganine, N-[(1S,2S,3R)-2,3-Dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)heptadecyl]octadecanamide, C18 Phytoceramide (t18:0/18:0), C36H73NO4, N-STEAROYL-PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, N-stearoylphytosphingosine, C18 3-Hydroxy Dihydroceramide, N-stearoylphytoceramide, N-C18:0 Phytoceramide, N-octadecanoylphytoceramide, U4N3FC4SBM, N-octadecanoyl phytosphingosine, N-stearoyl-4-hydroxysphinganine, orb1692866, phytosphingosine-18:0 ceramide, SCHEMBL1481537, CHEBI:67035, DTXSID80963881, N-(octadecanoyl)-phytosphingosine, DTXSID901335580, N-(octadecanoyl)-hydroxysphinganine, LMSP02030006, MFCD02259296, AKOS040755841, FS27874, N-octadecanoyl-(4R)-hydroxysphinganine, PHC-B 18:0/18:0, DB-255834, HY-141582, N-Stearoyl-phytosphingosine, >=98% (GC), CS-0181739, G86825, Q27135594, N-(1,3,4-Trihydroxyoctadecan-2-yl)octadecanimidic acid, N-((2S,3S,4R)-1,3,4-Trihydroxyoctadecan-2-yl)stearamide, N-18:0 Phytosphingosine, N-stearoyl 4-hydroxysphinganine (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae), powder, N-[(1S,2S,3R)-2,3-Dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)heptadecyl]octadecanamide, C18 3-hydroxy dihydroceramide, Ceramide III, CAPROYL SPHINGOSINE, HYDROXYCAPROYL PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, HYDROXYCAPRYLOYL PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, HYDROXYLAUROYL PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, LACTOYL PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE LACTATE, Ceramides, Einecs 309-560-3
Ceramide 3, fatty acid and cholesterol constitute the extracellular lipid matrix of epidermal barrier in an approximately equimolar ratio and are assembled in a dense orthorhombic lateral packing within SC interstices.
Among them, ceramides are central to the permeability barrier structure and function.
Epidermal ceramides account for approximately 50 % of total epidermal lipid by weight.
In addition, ceramides also act as an active second messenger, regulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, enhance proinflammatory cytokines production, and modulate immune responses.
Aberrant metabolism and function of ceramides is involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD) and ichthyosis.
This barrier prevents excessive water loss (transepidermal water loss, TEWL) and shields the skin from external irritants, allergens, and microorganisms.
Ceramide 3 mixture consists of hydroxy and non-hydroxy fatty acid-containing ceramides.
Ceramide 3 are generated from sphingomyelin through activation of sphingomyelinases or through the de novo synthesis pathway, which requires the coordinated action of serine palmitoyl transferase and ceramide synthase.
They have been shown to mediate antiproliferative responses such as apoptosis, growth arrest, differentiation, and senescence.
Ceramide 3 is widely used as an active ingredient in creams, serums, and lotions because it can replenish depleted ceramides in the skin, restore the natural lipid balance, and improve skin elasticity.
Products containing Ceramide 3 are especially beneficial for individuals with dry, sensitive, aging, or eczema-prone skin, since these conditions are often associated with reduced natural ceramide levels.
Ceramide 3 not only strengthens the skin’s physical barrier but also plays a role in regulating cell differentiation and signaling pathways, which contributes to overall skin health and repair processes.
Its ability to mimic and integrate seamlessly with the body’s own lipids makes it one of the most effective and scientifically supported moisturizing and barrier-repairing ingredients in modern skincare.
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids in the human body.
They are essential to the skin’s health as they form the skin’s barrier which protects it from damage, bacteria and water loss.
Ceramide 3 is composed of a phytosphingosine base and stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid.
Ceramide 3 accounts for approximately 22.1% of the total ceramide pool in the skin’s uppermost layer.
Ceramide 3 improves the skin’s barrier function in synergy with ceramiode-1.
Ceramide 3 benefits the skin in many ways.
Ceramide 3 is also referred to as Ceramide NP, or N-stearoyl phytosphingosine, works synergistically with ceramide 1 to improve the skin barrier function, which helps to keep harmful environmental irritants out and also prevents skin dehydration.
They have been found to have a maximum-use concentration range of 1.0 x 10-8% to 0.2%, with 0.2% reported in lipstick and face and neck skin care preparations.
Ceramide 3 helps hold the skin together by forming a protective layer that limits transepidermal water loss and protects against visible damage from pollution and other environmental stressors.
They also provide anti-aging properties
Ceramide 3 may help to keep the hair cuticle flat which helps to improve shine and prevent fly-aways and frizz.
Ceramides are a family of lipid molecules composed of sphingosine and fatty acids, primarily found in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum.
They constitute a significant portion of the skin's natural moisture barrier, forming part of the lipid bilayer that holds skin cells together.
These ceramide-rich membranes act as a protective shield, preventing water loss and shielding the skin from harmful environmental factors such as pollutants, allergens, and pathogens.
Ceramides 3 are human-skin-identical substances that perform essential biological functions.
Ceramide 3 is produced in a patented bio-fermentation process and has the same chemical structure as the human skin.
They restructure the bonding substance of the cell bonds and the protective function of the human sebum (natural protective barrier).
storage temp.: Store at -20°C
solubility: Methanol: 25 mg/mL
form: A crystalline solid
color: Off-white to light yellow
LogP: 13.577 (est)
Ceramide 3 is a ceramide that reinforces the skins natural protective lipid barrier.
Ceramide 3 consists of a Phytosphingosine backbone acylated with a saturated fatty acid (stearic acid).
Ceramide 3 and Ceramide IIIB support the renewal of the skin’s natural protective layer and form an effective barrier against moisture loss.
These human-skin-identical molecules are therefore particularly suitable for long term protection and repair of sensitive and dry skin.
In hair care formulations Ceramide 3 and Ceramide IIIB are able to restore damaged hair and to protect hair against chemical and UV damage.
Ceramide 3 offers an easier to process solution for formulators looking to include the skin barrier-related benefits of CERAMIDE III in their formulations.
Ceramide 3 is produced by amidation of stearic acid with sphingoid base.
This can be accomplished by reaction of the sphingoid base with an acyl chloride, but the results are not selective and esterification and amidation occur concurrently.
However, mild alkaline hydrolysis can selectively remove the esters.
Alternatively, activating the stearic acid with a carbodiimide enables ceramide synthesis without esterification.
Ceramide 3 is a skin-identical barrier lipid.
It supports the renewal of the skin’s natural protective layer and forms an effective barrier against moisture loss.
Ceramide 3 strengthens the barrier function, promotes skin comfort and is particularly suitable for long-term protection & support of sensitive & dry skin’s recovery.
It improves long-term moisturization, repairs and protects damaged hair.
Ceramide 3 is produced using a patented biofermentation processes.
Possible applications of Ceramide 3 include dry skin recover & care face cream, after shower body care, shampoos and clear leave in conditioners.
Ceramide 3 are a family of waxy lipid molecules.
A Ceramide 3 is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid joined by an amide bond.
Ceramide 3 are found in high concentrations within the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells, since they are component lipids that make up sphingomyelin, one of the major lipids in the lipid bilayer.
Contrary to previous assumptions that ceramides and other sphingolipids found in cell membrane were purely supporting structural elements, ceramide can participate in a variety of cellular signaling: examples include regulating differentiation, proliferation, and programmed cell death (PCD) of cells.
There are three major pathways of ceramide generation. irst, the sphingomyelinase pathway uses an enzyme to break down sphingomyelin in the cell membrane and release ceramide.
Second, the de novo pathway creates ceramide from less complex molecules.
Third, in the "salvage" pathway, sphingolipids that are broken down into sphingosine are reused by reacylation to form ceramide.[citation needed]
Hydrolysis of sphingomyelin is catalyzed by the enzyme sphingomyelinase.
Because sphingomyelin is one of the four common phospholipids found in the plasma membrane of cells, the implications of this method of generating ceramide is that the cellular membrane is the target of extracellular signals leading to programmed cell death.
There has been research suggesting that when ionizing radiation causes apoptosis in some cells, the radiation leads to the activation of sphingomyelinase in the cell membrane and ultimately, to ceramide generation.
De novo synthesis of ceramide begins with the condensation of palmitate and serine to form Ceramide 3.
This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase and is the rate-limiting step of the pathway.
In turn, Ceramide 3 is reduced to dihydrosphingosine, which is then followed by acylation by the enzyme (dihydro)ceramide synthase to produce dihydroceramide.
The final reaction to produce ceramide is catalyzed by dihydroceramide desaturase.
De novo synthesis of ceramide occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Ceramide 3 is subsequently transported to the Golgi apparatus by either vesicular trafficking or the ceramide transfer protein CERT.
Once in the Golgi apparatus, ceramide can be further metabolized to other sphingolipids, such as sphingomyelin and the complex glycosphingolipids.
As a result, Ceramide 3 supports the renewal of the natural protective layer of the skin and forms an effective barrier against moisture loss.
Therefore, this human-skin-identical molecule is particularly for long-term protection and repair of sensitive and dry skin.
Ceramide 3 are skin lipids: they increase the skin's water retention capacity and prevent dehydration.
Ceramide 3 is particularly suitable for long-term protection and repair of sensitive and dry skin.
It supports the skin's natural protective layer renewal and forms an effective barrier against moisture loss.
The active ingredient can also restore strength to damaged hair and protect hair against chemical and UV damage by improving mechanical properties, liveliness, combability, and shine.
Uses:
Ceramide 3 is widely used in cosmetics, including shampoos, deodorants and make-up.
Ceramide 3 has a wide range of uses in dermatology, cosmetics, and personal care formulations, all of which are connected to its unique ability to mimic and restore the skin’s natural lipid structure.
One of the primary uses of Ceramide 3 is in moisturizing creams, serums, and lotions that are specifically designed to strengthen the skin barrier.
Because this molecule can integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum, it is frequently added to products intended for very dry, irritated, or sensitive skin, where natural ceramide levels are significantly reduced.
Ceramide 3 is also commonly used in anti-aging skincare formulations because as the skin ages, ceramide production declines, leading to dryness, rough texture, and fine lines.
By replenishing these lipids, Ceramide 3 helps improve skin elasticity, suppleness, and smoothness, while also reducing the appearance of premature wrinkles caused by dehydration.
Another important use is in therapeutic dermatological products, such as those for eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
These skin conditions are often linked to a compromised lipid barrier, and formulations enriched with Ceramide 3 can help restore balance, reduce water loss, and provide long-lasting relief from itching, flaking, and inflammation.
In addition to skincare, Ceramide 3 is sometimes incorporated into hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, and repair treatments.
In these applications, it helps to strengthen the hair cuticle, reduce breakage, and improve hydration, especially for chemically treated or damaged hair.
Finally, because Ceramide 3 is a biocompatible and well-tolerated ingredient, it is often included in medicated creams, pharmaceutical ointments, and cosmeceuticals, where it serves both a therapeutic and cosmetic role by enhancing barrier repair and boosting the effectiveness of other active ingredients.
Ceramide 3 is a family of naturally occurring lipids that act primarily in the skin’s uppermost layer, forming a protective barrier and reducing natural transepidermal water loss.
Ceramides repair the stratum corneum layer in cases of dry skin, improve skin hydration, and increase the feeling of softness.
They are beneficial for stressed, sensitive, scaly, rough, dry, aged, and sun-damaged skin.
Ceramide 3 play an essential role in the structure of superficial epidermal layers and form an integral part of the intercellular membrane network.
They help generate and sustain the skin’s barrier function.
This is extremely important: if the stratum corneum’s hydration is maintained, then it functions more normally in terms of flexibility and desquamation, its integrity is upheld, and the skin is less susceptible to irritation.
Ceramide 3 production decreases with age, accentuating any tendency to dry skin.
When incorporated into a skin care preparation, the topical application of ceramides could benefit the stratum corneum if the ceramides manage to fill the intercellular spaces and if they are hydrolyzed by the correct extracellular enzymes on the skin.
Such application also can stimulate ceramide production in the skin, thereby increasing the skin’s natural lipid content and reinforcing the skin’s protective barrier, measured through transepidermal water loss.
Topically applied ceramides have been shown to capture and bind water, necessary for the skin to remain supple, smooth, and hydrated. natural ceramides are obtained from animals and plants.
While Ceramide 3 can be synthetically manufactured, it is hard to obtain an identical equivalent to those found in nature, making them expensive raw materials.
Ceramide 3 is widely used in moisturizing products because it plays a crucial role in restoring the skin’s natural barrier function.
In creams, serums, and lotions, it replenishes depleted lipid levels in the stratum corneum, helping to retain water within the skin and prevent dryness, flaking, and roughness that commonly occur due to aging, harsh environments, or frequent cleansing with strong surfactants.
Ceramide 3 is also a valuable ingredient in anti-aging skincare formulations.
As the body’s natural production of ceramides decreases over time, the skin becomes thinner, drier, and more vulnerable to irritation and wrinkles.
Ceramide 3 helps to restore firmness and elasticity by creating a protective lipid film that locks in hydration and improves the smoothness of the skin surface, thereby reducing the visible signs of aging.
Another important use is in therapeutic skincare designed for dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
These disorders are often associated with disrupted lipid metabolism, leading to an impaired barrier and increased sensitivity to allergens, irritants, and microbes.
When incorporated into medical or cosmeceutical formulations, Ceramide 3 supports barrier repair, soothes inflammation, and provides long-lasting comfort to affected individuals, making it a cornerstone in the treatment of chronic dry and sensitive skin disorders.
Ceramide 3 is further used in post-procedure care, for example after chemical peels, laser treatments, or microdermabrasion, where the skin barrier has been intentionally disrupted to stimulate renewal.
In these contexts, Ceramide 3 accelerates recovery, reduces irritation, and enhances the healing process by supporting the natural repair mechanisms of the epidermis.
In the hair care industry, Ceramide 3 is included in shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments to improve the structural integrity of the hair shaft.
By replenishing lipids around the cuticle layer, it helps reduce porosity, smooths frizz, strengthens brittle hair fibers, and protects against chemical damage caused by coloring, bleaching, and heat styling.
Ceramide 3 is also used in formulations for lip balms and body butters, where its ability to mimic natural skin lipids makes it highly effective in preventing chapping, improving softness, and delivering a smooth protective film on delicate skin areas.
Safety Profile:
Ceramide 3 is generally regarded as a safe and biocompatible ingredient, since it is chemically identical or very close to ceramides that are naturally present in the human skin barrier.
For this reason, it does not typically pose significant hazards under normal cosmetic or pharmaceutical use, and it has been approved for inclusion in personal care formulations by international regulatory agencies such as the EU Cosmetics Regulation and the U.S. FDA.
In terms of direct toxicity, Ceramide 3 is considered non-toxic when applied topically, and it does not readily penetrate into the bloodstream because it remains within the outer layers of the skin.
Ceramide 3 is also not associated with mutagenic, carcinogenic, or reproductive toxicity effects, which makes it very different from synthetic chemicals that can accumulate in the body.
The main potential hazard comes from the risk of skin irritation or sensitization, particularly in individuals with very reactive or allergy-prone skin.
While most people tolerate ceramides extremely well, in rare cases, products containing Ceramide 3 may cause mild redness, itching, or stinging, especially if the formulation also contains alcohols, fragrances, or strong preservatives that can interact with sensitive skin.
Another possible concern arises during the manufacturing and handling of Ceramide 3 in its raw powdered form.
At high concentrations and without proper protective equipment, it may cause mechanical irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract, or skin of workers due to dust exposure.
For this reason, laboratory and industrial environments usually recommend the use of gloves, masks, and goggles when handling pure ceramide powders.
Ceramide 3 is considered low-hazard since it is a lipid-based substance that is biodegradable and not known to accumulate in water systems.
However, as with many cosmetic ingredients, excessive release into wastewater is discouraged to maintain ecological balance.
