Ceramide NS

Ceramide NS, previously known as Ceramide 2, is one of the less used ceramides in skincare products.

Ceramide NS makes up for 7% of all ceramides in the skin and is predominantly found in the skin on the cheeks, lips, and hands. It serves an important function by maintaining the skin’s barrier function.

The top layer of the skin is called the stratum corneum, consisting of skin cells corneocytes bound together by protein bridges. The space around them is filled with an oily, wax-like substance called the lipid matrix – consisting of 50% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, and 10-20% free fatty acids (most commonly linoleic acid). This structure creates a waterproof barrier between our organism and the outside world, keeping water in and foreign substances out.

Each different ceramide serves an important function and any imbalances may manifest as dry and cracked skin.

Research doesn't have much to say about the role of Ceramide NS, unlike its popular cousins: Ceramides EOP (1), NP (3), and AP (6 II). From the research, it seems that in skin conditions such as xerosis or psoriasis, Ceramide NS levels actually increase in comparison to normal healthy skin. This is probably the reason why it is rarely used in skincare products on its own and is usually only included in a mixture with other ceramides.

A carefully formulated mixture of ceramides with the addition of cholesterol and linoleic acid will stimulate the lipid matrix of healthy skin and help to restore balance to the skin barrier.

If you would like to know more about ceramides in general, why there are two ways of naming them, and what they are made of, then read the longer article here.