6 Face Creams With Ceramides, Cholesterol and Fatty Acids – For Every Skin Type

I was just a skincare newbie when I learned the powerful effects that ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids can have on the skin’s moisture levels and health.

One of the first products that I tried that included the trio was the Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore Moisturizer.

What a heavenly product!

What a hellish price!

I wanted to get my fix so I began searching for the best ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol creams out there.

My search continues but I did manage to find and test a couple of moisturizers worth mentioning.

The best ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids moisturizers out there

Skincare with lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids is important in maintaining a strong and resilient skin barrier while ensuring sufficient moisture.

This is essential for locking in moisture and protecting your skin from external aggressors.

Whether you have dry, sensitive skin, or aging skin, incorporating a moisturizer that harnesses the power of these three components can work wonders for your complexion.

Let’s dive deep into the best moisturizers on the market that feature these skin-loving ingredients.

1. Top Choice: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

The first ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol cream I’d like to introduce is one of my personal favorites – the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 – the lipid contents of this cream are literally in the name, so cool!

It comes in a jar of 1.6 oz or 48 ml for the expensive price tag of around $150.

This lipid-rich cream is great for mature and dry skin, but oily folks can also use it as a night treatment.

You now see why I couldn’t afford to have it at my side at all times, but here’s why I want to:

The patented combination of ceramides (2%), cholesterol (4%), and fatty acids (2%) in the moisturizer works synergistically to increase the moisture levels in the skin, combat the signs of aging, promote a healthy skin barrier, and restore your skin’s natural vitality.

The cream is the ultimate well-aging product, and a good helper for when your sensitive skin requires a bit more TLC — after invasive procedures, hair removal, chemical exfoliation, windburn, sunburn — you name it.

Its effective ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acid ratio diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, allowing your skin to regain its youthful bounce.

And by replenishing the vital lipids in your skin barrier, it helps to restore its health, ensuring optimal protection against external aggressors.

What we like:

• I instantly noticed that the cream also works to minimize pore size and resulted in an overall soft and smooth look of my skin in a week of consistent use.
• It’s extremely lightweight and easy to apply. It’s quickly absorbed and doesn’t leave behind any sticky or heavy residue.
• The product is suitable for all skin types, making it a good fit for anyone looking for quality skincare with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol.
• You trully get what you pay for with this one — this moisturizer with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol has a cult following for a reason.

What to have in mind:

The biggest concern with this cream is the expensive price, pushing a lot of users to seek alternative products. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

2. For Dry Skin: Epionce Medical Barrier Cream

Next, another ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids moisturizer deserving your attention — the Epionce Medical Barrier Cream.

If you have super dry skin, this one is for you.

You can find this moisturizer in two sizes – 2.5 oz or 75 ml for $25 and 8 oz or 236 ml for $40.
That’s a significant improvement in the price of such a face cream.

Infused with an array of skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, cholesterol, safflower seed oil, antioxidants, and exfoliants like gluconolactone, this powerhouse formula is meticulously crafted to pamper your skin and give it the nourishment it deserves.

The active ingredients include Phytosphingosine which helps acne-prone skin to steer clear of potential breakouts.

Enriched with antioxidants from several plant oils, the moisturizer has skin-protecting abilities and is an ideal choice for post-chemical peels or other invasive procedures. It aids in the recovery process and helps alleviate any potential irritation or sensitivity.

What we like:

• Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and essential oil-free, this cream agrees with sensitive skin because of its zero irritant formula.
• I love the affordability of this cream tied with the exceptional value and the experience of the application. If you can’t or won’t afford the more expensive options on this list, this product is a great go-to.
• If you have dry and flaky skin, this is a good option to use on all areas of your body needing additional TLC and the building blocks to restore the skin barrier back to its healthy state. It increases moisture retention in the skin and effectively prevents transepidermal water loss with its effective lipids inclusion.

What to have in mind:

This cream leans towards the heavier side, which is a must-know for those of you with oilier skin. It may not be the ideal choice for those with excess sebum production, as it could potentially feel too rich and heavy on the skin.

3. For Sensitive Skin: SkinFix Barrier Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream

The SkinFix Barrier Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream is another moisturizer with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol that I strongly recommend trying.

I first heard about this product from Dr. Samantha Ellis — a well-known board-certified dermatologist with a wide audience on social media.

You can find it in different sizes, including 1.7 oz or 50 ml for $54, 0.5 oz or 15 ml for $20, and a value pack of 3.4 oz or 90 ml for $54.

This product features a powerful combination of active ingredients, including a 3% Triple Lipid Complex – the combo of the three lipids discussed in this post, 3% Peptide Protein Blend, and 3% Seaweed Hyaluronate Blend.

These ingredients work synergistically to give you intense hydration, nourishment, and a multitude of skin benefits.

With regular use, this cream helps to soften the skin, enhance brightness, and promote a more even skin tone.

The carefully curated ingredient list includes shea butter, jojoba oil, rice extract, squalene, carrageenan extract, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and cholesterol. These potent components work in harmony to deliver deep hydration, replenish essential nutrients, and promote a healthy skin barrier.

What we like:

• Packaged in a convenient 1.7 fl oz jar (50 ml), this cream offers a generous amount of product for your skincare routine. As an added bonus, it is also vegan and cruelty-free, aligning with ethical and sustainable values.
• This product is pH-balanced, ensuring it sustains the natural pH levels of your skin.
• The cream is well-suited for sensitive skin as it’s free from essential oils. It’s also easily absorbed by the skin, despite its richness.
• I love the air-tight packaging that preserves the product fresh and at its most optimal form for longer.

What to have in mind:

I have nothing bad to say about this product. If you’re on the lookout for a great face cream with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids — this is a must-try.

4. For Mature Skin: Stratia Night Shift

Now, Stratia is a long-time favorite of mine, and once I started researching the best moisturizers with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, I couldn’t help but try their option.

The Stratia Night Shift face cream with lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids is a brilliant age-defying night cream with encapsulated retinol, suitable for most skin types.

You can find it in a bottle of 1.7 oz or 50 ml for a price of $28, which is fairly affordable for a retinol moisturizer that is also rich in our discussed trio of skin-loving compounds.

With its powerful 0.15% encapsulated retinol, this night cream works to gently deal with any signs of aging or sun damage such as wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and more, all while you sleep.

Night Shift goes beyond just moisture for dry skin – it’s a game-changer for all skin types, including super dry and sensitive skin — the formula is chock full of soothing active ingredients, which make this product one of the best on the market, I truly love, love it, and recommend it to everyone I know.

Key ingredients such as retinol are complemented by ceramides, panthenol, and cantella asiatica. These ingredients work to soothe and nourish your skin, keeping it happy and balanced.

What we like:

• Its non-greasy formula ensures deep hydration and sufficient moisture retention without clogging pores, making it a versatile choice for everyone.
• The cream is also very effective for people who have melasma or rosacea, as this is one of the gentlest moisturizers with retinoids out there.
• The bottle pump makes this product extremely easy to use. It feels a bit dense and thicker than other creams, but the skin absorbs it well and there is no residue to worry about.

What to have in mind:

Keep in mind that if you’re new to retinol you’ll need to start slowly with this product, allowing your skin to adapt to avoid side effects.

5. For Oily Skin: Stratia Liquid Gold

The final cream I suggest testing is the Stratia Liquid Gold as a daytime alternative to the previous product.

This face moisturizer with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids is available in bottles of 2 oz or 60 ml and 4 oz or 120 ml for $27 or $49.

Formulated with skin restoration and anti-aging properties, Liquid Gold delivers its results while boasting a lightweight texture perfect for oily skin types among others.
This is the lightest, rich in lipids cream on this list.

We have niacinamide and Phytosphingosine to deal with acne and inflammation. The last part is supported by panthenol and green tea extract — all great to heal painful pimples and soothe irritated skin.

There’s a bunch of antioxidants in the formula, making this cream the perfect morning basis that protects your skin from environmental stressors.

What we like:

• The texture of this product is exceptionally lightweight and easy to apply, providing a delightful skincare experience. It absorbs quickly into the skin, making it a great choice for oily-prone skin types. The result is well-moisturized skin without any greasy residue.
• Designed to cater to all skin types, this moisturizer offers high-quality performance at a more affordable price point.
• The rich in beneficial ingredients formula, for me at least, substitutes the morning serum — this product is all I apply after my toner of choice before proceeding to my sunscreen.

What to have in mind:

The Stratia Liquid Gold doesn’t have the same level of occlusiveness as some other options on this list, so it may not be the ideal choice for those of you with very dry skin. Unless you’re using a rich SPF on top.

Other skincare with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids

In addition to ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol creams for the face, the powerful lipids combination can also be found in other skincare products.

Serums, ampoules, essences, and toners, are infused with these skin-loving ingredients to give you targeted benefits while allowing you to untie your choice regarding a face cream.

Whether you prefer a lightweight serum or a concentrated ampoule, exploring other skincare with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids can further enhance your skincare routine.
Some examples of great products containing the trio include:

• Ample:N Ceramide Shot Ampoule
• RNW Der. Concentrate Ceramide Plus Serum
• Mediheal Baobab Soothing Moisture Serum
• MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
• DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask

Are they side effects of using creams with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol?

There are no side effects of using skincare with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. However, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, moisturizers with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol might be too rich for you and can clog your pores. Check the Stratia Liquid Gold from my list, it has the lightest, non-occlusive texture of all of the mentioned products.

What is the effective ratio of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol?

According to research, the effective ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acid ratio for repairing the skin barrier ranges from a 1:1:1 to a 3:1:1 molar ratio.

However, different populations may benefit more from certain ratios depending on specific skin conditions.

For example, mature and aging skin will benefit more from a cholesterol-dominant ratio, while infants benefit more from a free fatty-acid dominant ratio.

On the other hand, eczematic skin tends to benefit more from a ceramide-dominant ratio.

By understanding your unique skin needs, you can select products that offer the appropriate ratio of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol to optimize barrier repair and promote healthy skin.

So, as you can see, there are other compounds than hyaluronic acid that are more effective when it comes to restoring the skin’s moisture in depth.

If you’ve found this post interesting and useful or you have comments, drop me a line below!
Otherwise, you can check my article about dimethicone-free moisturizers or my post on fatty alcohol-free moisturizers.