Ceramide AS

Formerly known as ceramides 4 and 5

Occurs naturally in skin where it helps prevent moisture loss

Helps improve skin health and barrier strength

Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed safe for use

Ceramide AS is a skin care ingredient used mainly for its hydration and barrier repair benefits. It’s part of a larger group of ceramides (natural moisturizing factors that are found in skin) including ceramide NG and ceramide AP. You might be familiar with this ingredient under the names ceramide 4 and ceramide 5. These names are now retired.

Ceramides, often thought of as the mortar between bricks (if the bricks are our skin cells), help curb moisture loss and protect against the damage that environmental stressors can inflict upon skin. They also help skin perform in a healthy manner, boosting the strength of the barrier. Ceramides, including ceramide AS, excel when paired with other natural moisturizing factors like hyaluronic acid and fatty acids, including cholesterol.

When included in formulas ceramide AS is almost always used as part of a blend with other ceramides. A blend that also includes ceramides AP, EOP, NP and NS, is recommended for usage in products in concentrations between 0.1-3%. However, most ceramides are used in skin care in amounts 1% and lower, as with this group of ingredients a little goes a long way.

In a 2020 report, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed ceramide AS safe for use in cosmetics at current use levels.

See: Ceramides, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NG