Ceramide III is an incredibly effective and versatile ingredient that deserves a spot in your DIY cosmetic formulas. This wonderful white powder should be dissolved in oil, which opens up exciting possibilities for oil-based DIY cosmetics, like luxurious face oils and nourishing serums!
The fact that Ceramide III dissolves in oil is a true gift, as the list of liposoluble ingredients is far shorter than their water-soluble counterparts. Discovering one this powerful feels like uncovering a well-kept secret!

Dissolving it requires a simple yet precise process (don’t worry, I’ll guide you through it step by step).

What makes Ceramide III so special is its role in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Ceramides are the building blocks of the skin’s protective layer, helping to lock in moisture, keep irritants out and ensure your skin stays hydrated.

If you’ve been wondering what this ingredient is, why ceramides are crucial for healthy, glowing skin, and how to incorporate them into your homemade cosmetics, keep reading!
I’ll also share some tips on how to replace Ceramide III with other ingredients if you don’t have it on hand.

What Are Ceramides?

Ceramides are like the "cement" that holds our skin cells together, forming a strong, protective barrier that locks in moisture and shields against environmental aggressors. They’re absolutely essential for maintaining a healthy, hydrated, and resilient skin barrier.

As we age or encounter external stressors like harsh weather, pollution, or even excessive cleansing, our natural ceramide levels start to decline. The result? Dry, flaky, or sensitive skin and in some cases, even an acceleration of visible aging.

A lack of ceramides is also linked to skin conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Adding ceramides to your skincare formulas can work wonders in those cases, helping to repair and restore the skin.
My son occasionally struggles with atopic dermatitis, and I’ve seen firsthand how effective ceramides can be. When I use a balm I’ve made for him, enriched with ceramides and oat oil, his skin improves noticeably and quickly!

Ceramide III benefits

Ceramide III is a highly effective Eco Cert approved ingredient for restoring and reinforcing the skin barrier.

Its key benefits include:

• Barrier restoration: Strengthens the skin's natural defenses against moisture loss.
• Hydration: Retains water in the skin, keeping it plump and smooth.
• Soothing properties: Calms irritation and improves skin comfort, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
• Anti-aging support: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by maintaining optimal hydration levels.
• Texture enhancing: they smooth rough patches and restore softness.
  
  

How to Use Ceramide III in DIY Cosmetics Formulas

Ceramide III comes in powdered form and needs to be dissolved in oil at 90°C (194°F) before it can be used. But here’s the tricky part: most oils can’t handle such high temperatures. So, how do you make it work?

The best oil that can be used in natural cosmetics for this process is fractionated coconut oil. It’s heat-stable enough to handle the required temperature without degrading, making it the perfect choice for dissolving ceramides.

Now, you could go through this process every time you add ceramides to a formula, but let’s be real: heating tiny amounts of oil every time you create a new batch can get tedious. To make your life easier (and your DIY cosmetics creations more efficient), the best option is to prepare a ready-to-use Ceramide III oil. This way, you’ll always have it on hand!

Here’s how to do it:

How to Prepare Fractionated Coconut Oil with Ceramide III

1. Ingredients & Tools:
   • 99 g of fractionated coconut oil.
   • 1 g of Ceramide III powder.
   • A glass beaker.
   • A water bath.
   • A digital thermometer.
   • A jar for storage.
     
     
2. The Method:
   • Pour the fractionated coconut oil and Ceramide III into a glass beaker.
   • Place the beaker in a water bath and heat it to 90°C (194°F). Use a digital thermometer to monitor the temperature.
   • Once the oil reaches 90°C, stir until the ceramides completely dissolve (this may take a little patience).
   • Pour the mixture into a jar and let it cool completely.

And voilà! Your fractionated coconut oil infused with Ceramide III is ready to use in your DIY cosmetic formulas. You’ll love its beautiful texture! 

Important Notes

1. Temperature matters: While fractionated coconut oil can handle high heat, it’s best not to overdo it. The first time I made this, I used a very small beaker, and it took forever to reach 90°C. To speed things up and avoid overheating, I recommend using a larger beaker. It’ll save you time and preserve the oil’s quality.
   
   
2. Texture: Once cooled, the mixture becomes quite viscous. It’s not completely solid like coconut oil in winter, but you might want to give it a quick stir before use. For this reason, I suggest storing it in a jar rather than a bottle or flask.

Now that your ready-to-use Ceramide III oil is prepared, you’re set to add it to your DIY cosmetics following the recommended dodge (continue reading!).

Ceramide III Oil: Dosage and Usage

The product datasheet suggests using Ceramide III at concentrations ranging from 0.05% to 1% in cosmetic formulations (you can find more information about dosage, results and recommended usage here). Personally, I prefer to use it at 0.2%. It’s an ideal balance between effectiveness and cost-efficiency, as Ceramide III can be quite pricey.

The oil mixture you’ve prepared contains Ceramide III at a 1% concentration. This means that for every 20 g of the oil, you’ll be adding 0.2 g of Ceramide III to your formula (considering a 100 g batch).

Here’s a handy table to help you calculate how much of your Ceramide III oil you’ll need to reach your desired ceramide dosage is a 100 g formula:

How to Use Ceramide III Oil in your Formulas

You can incorporate your Ceramide III oil into Oil-based cosmetics (like face oils or balms) and Emulsions (like creams or lotions).
While it can technically be added during the cold phase, I recommend adding it during the heated phase of your formulation. This ensures better incorporation and a smoother texture in the final product.

Now you’re all set to experiment and give your DIY creations that extra boost with the power of Ceramide III!

Where to buy Ceramides III

Ceramides III are not so easy to find. I bought mine from Cosmética Natural Casera Shop, and you might want to check them out if you live in Europe. You can also find other versions of ceramides from different suppliers. These may require different usage percentages and preparation methods, including already-prepared and diluted versions that can be either oil or water soluble.

In this article, I’m focusing on how to prepare and use the powdered Ceramide III that I bought from Cosmética Natural Casera Shop. If you choose a different version, always check the supplier’s datasheet for specific instructions to ensure you're using it correctly.

What if you don’t have Ceramide III?

If you don’t have this magical and effective ingredient on hand but still want to benefit from ceramides, there are some interesting alternatives. While they’re not direct replacements for Ceramide III and may take longer to achieve similar effects, certain vegetable oils can support your skin’s natural ceramide synthesis.

Here are some excellent options:

• Sunflower Oil
• Safflower Oil
• Wheat Germ Oil
• Oat Oil
• Oils rich in linoleic acid

Additionally, you can look into cosmetic ingredients that promote ceramide production, such as:

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
  
  

As I mentioned earlier, Ceramide III can be quite expensive, but there’s a smart way to make the most of it:  combine a small amount of Ceramide III with ceramide-boosting ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, or linoleic acid-rich oils!