Benefits of using ceramides with acne-prone skin

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Benefits of using ceramides with acne-prone skin

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Updated on July 14, 2025

What is acne?  |  Acne and the skin barrier  |  The role of ceramides  |  How ceramides can help acne-prone skin  |  Ceramides in your daily skin routine

moisturising baby skin

If you struggle with acne, persistent breakouts can take a toll on your confidence and endless attempts to heal the skin can be frustrating. Acne occurs when pores get clogged, and with acne-prone skin, excess oil production can be one of the culprits1. Naturally, we turn to oil-fighting products, which often strip our skin in an effort to banish breakouts. But what if whisking away all those natural oils isn’t the answer? Say hello to ceramides – skin-loving lipids that play a role in keeping our skin balanced and healthier2. Ceramides could be the secret ingredient you've been overlooking.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition worldwide3. It’s most prevalent in adolescence - affecting more than 90% of 16 to 18 year olds in Australia, but can continue into adulthood4. Acne appears when hair follicles become congested with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria,4 and tends to affect the face, neck, back, and chest5. On the skin it can emerge as blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and nodules, which can sometimes lead to long-term scarring4.

Acne-prone skin produces more oil, or sebum, than other skin types. This overproduction is typically driven by hormonal changes or genetics1. This is why managing oiliness is a key focus for many people with acne-prone skin. However, it's important to maintain the skin's natural barrier (where ceramides come in!) to help avoid over-stripping skin.

Acne and the skin barrier

Acne-prone skin often has a compromised skin barrier, causing moisture to escape (transepidermal water loss)6. This weakened barrier makes skin more prone to inflammation and irritation6. The good news? Using appropriate skincare, especially products enriched with ceramides, can help to maintain that barrier7 and help to support your acne-prone skin.

The role of ceramides in our skin

Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids that help the skin function as a barrier to environmental conditions — the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is composed of flattened, dead cells within layers of lipids (ceramides), a bit like a bricks and mortar wall8,9.

Lipid layers in your skin act like glue, holding skin cells together and helping to lock in moisture. The skin also works like a shield, keeping out irritants, allergens, and harmful bacteria. Ceramides make up almost half of these lipid layers, with cholesterol and fatty acids filling out the rest2. When skin has less ceramides, skin can become dry and lose its protective ability, leaving it vulnerable to bacteria, and conditions like acne.

How ceramides can help acne-prone skin

Taking care of acne-prone skin can be easier with the right approach. Using ceramide-containing cleansers and moisturisers as part of your acne treatment routine, can be beneficial5,7.

Using ceramides in your daily skin routine

When it comes to acne-prone skin, the ceramide-enriched cleansers and moisturisers can make all the difference. Look for gentle products free from anything that might clog pores or irritate your skin, like soap, oil, or fragrances6. It is beneficial for the products to include your skin’s natural ceramides, like Ceramide 1 (EOP) and Ceramide 3 (NP). QV Ceramides Skincare is an entire range containing three types of ceramides that help to hydrate and support your skin barrier.

  1. A gentle approach – gentle cleansers remove impurities without damaging the skin barrier5. The QV Ceramides Cleanser is formulated with ceramides to help hydrate and support your skin barrier whilst cleansing. There is also the QV Face Oil Free Gel Cleanser available, which does not contain ceramides, but is a gentle gel-to-foam cleanser suitable for acne-prone skin.
  2. Hydrate – gentle  facial skin cleansers in combination with ceramide-enriched moisturisers can help hydrate dry skin and support your barrier function5. Try the ceramide-enriched formula of QV Ceramides Cream to hydrate and support your skin barrier function.

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References

1. Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, Dréno B, Kang S, Leyden JJ, Shalita AR, Lozada VT, Berson D, Finlay A, Goh CL, Herane MI, Kaminsky A, Kubba R, Layton A, Miyachi Y, Perez M, Martin JP, Ramos-E-Silva M, See JA, Shear N, Wolf J Jr, Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. New insights into the management of acne: An update from the global alliance to improve outcomes in acne group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19376456/.

2. Moore DJ, Rawlings AV. The chemistry, function and (patho)physiology of stratum corneum barrier ceramides. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2017 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025]  Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28337779/.

3. Tan JKL, Bhate K. A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne. British Journal of Dermatology. 2015 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.13462.

4. Gebauer K. Acne in adolescents. RACGP. 2017 [Internet [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/december/acne-in-adolescents.

5. Simpkin S, See J-A. Skin care in the management of Acne vulgaris Research review. Educational series. 2017 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025]  Available from: https://www.researchreview.co.nz/getmedia/11b6e79d-f8da-47ac-a6ba-f5fccd9f726d/NZ_ES_Acne-and-skin.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf.

6. Schachner LA, Alexis AF, Andriessen A, et al. Insights into acne and the skin barrier: Optimizing treatment regimens with ceramide-containing skincare. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37605504/.

7. Lynde CW, Andriessen A, Barankin B, Gannes GD, Gulliver W, Haber R, McCuaig C, Rajan P, Skotnicki SP, Thomas R, Toole J, Vender R. Moisturizers and ceramide-containing moisturizers may offer concomitant therapy with benefits. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24688622/.

8. Kahraman E, Kaykın M, Şahin Bektay H, Güngör S. Recent advances on topical application of ceramides to restore barrier function of skin. Cosmetics. 2019 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/6/3/52.

9. Harding CR. The stratum corneum: structure and function in health and disease. Dermatol Ther. 2004 [Internet] [cited 25 March 2025] Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1001.x.