Ceramides

The standard pairing for getting through retinisation. Ceramides support the barrier the retinoid is temporarily stressing; applying a ceramide moisturiser before or after the retinoid is the buffering approach dermatologists recommend.

Both support barrier function by different routes — niacinamide signals for more of the skin's own lipids, ceramides supply them directly. They appear together in barrier-repair formulas for exactly that reason.

Exfoliation on the nights you use it, barrier support after. Ceramides do not neutralise an AHA — they replace what aggressive exfoliation depletes, which is why they belong in the same routine rather than in a separate one.

A sensible counterweight. Salicylic acid clears the follicle and can dry the surface; a ceramide moisturiser afterwards keeps that drying from tipping into a compromised barrier.

Benzoyl peroxide is among the more drying acne actives, and ceramide moisturisers are the usual way to make it tolerable. Formulators commonly advise the pairing; the ceramides are there to offset irritation, not to boost the treatment.

The textbook humectant-plus-lipid combination: hyaluronic acid brings water to the surface, ceramides help hold it there. Hyaluronic acid on damp skin, the ceramide cream over the top.

Both are barrier-support lipids and they are routinely formulated together. Nothing to separate; this is the moisturising end of a routine rather than a combination to manage.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.

We have not reviewed this combination. That means we have nothing to report about it — not that it is safe, and not that it is a problem. Treat it as an open question: introduce one new product at a time and patch-test, as you would with any unfamiliar pairing.