There’s a reason ceramide products are so popular in skin care. Ceramides quite literally help hold your skin together, so it’s no wonder that it’s a key skin care ingredient in most people’s daily routine.

Ceramides are lipids that act as the glue between the skin cells that form the outermost layer of your skin, the skin barrier. They play a huge role in protecting your skin by keeping the bad stuff out (dirt, bacteria, toxins) and helping retain the good stuff, like the much-needed moisture that keeps skin looking plump and soft.

When your skin is lacking in ceramides, it might look and feel dry or irritated—but research has shown that ceramide moisturizers can actually strengthen your skin barrier. Here’s the lowdown on seven ceramide products that can help you:

• Replenish dry skin on your face
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your face
• Provide moisturizing makeup coverage
• Restore dry skin on your arms, legs and body
• Gently cleanse your face
• Get hair help by improving split ends
• Soften dry, rough hands

To Help Replenish Dry Skin ...

Try LovelySkin LUXE Lipid Drops

This lightweight serum packs a powerful healing punch using the power of glycolipids and phospholipids, which act similarly to ceramides to help prevent moisture loss and maintain a healthy moisture barrier. “If you take Accutane and have dry lips and skin as a result, this serum can be especially helpful,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO, Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “It’s also ideal for mature skin or people who live in a dry, arid climate and may have dryness concerns year-round.”

To Help Reduce The Appearance of Wrinkles ...

Try SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Anti-Aging Cream

On the hunt for a rich ceramide cream with anti-aging benefits? The numerals in this facial cream’s name stands for 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids. Together, these ingredients help strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier, improve elasticity and boost moisture levels resulting in a smoother, more radiant look.

For Natural-Looking, Moisturizing Makeup

Try Colorescience Tint du Soleil SPF 30 Whipped Foundation

Did you know ceramides can also be beneficial in makeup? This all-in-one foundation features a lightweight, whipped texture that doubles as an anti-aging ceramide moisturizer and sunscreen. It contains ceramides and milk lipids that delivers skin with a much-needed dose of hydration, resulting in a dewy makeup look. A blend of mineral sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) offers sun protection, while peptides and a multi-vitamin complex also help reduce the appearance of fine lines. What more could you want in a foundation?

To Help Soften Skin From Head to Toe ...

Try Neocutis Neo Body Restorative Body Cream

This ceramide lotion for the body is packed with powerful anti-aging ingredients. Hyaluronic acid helps draw moisture into the skin, while salicylic acid encourages faster cell turnover and helps smooth rough patches, and an Advanced Micro Protein Complex works to boost collagen to help crepey skin look and feel firmer. Use it on your chest, shoulders, abdomen or any other places on your body where crepiness is a concern.

For Gentle Facial Cleansing ...

Try La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Ceramides aren’t just for moisturizers—they can be beneficial in cleansers. This ceramide cream cleanser, featuring an easy-to-use pump dispenser, gently removes dirt, excess oil and makeup without overdrying skin. Ceramides and prebiotic thermal water leave skin hydrated and refreshed. It also contains niacinamide, which can help soothe redness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

For Soft, Silky Hands ...

Try EltaMD So Silky Hand Creme

Wishing your dry, chapped hands could feel soft and smooth again? If your hands are suffering from frequent hand washing, your hands will love this rich, fast-absorbing ceramide lotion with vitamin E to help smooth and soften rough skin. This EltaMD lotion also contains a plant-derived ingredient called sclareolide to help fade skin discoloration, such as age spots.

To Help Mend Split Ends ...

Try Pureology Strength Cure Split End Salve Treatment

Ceramides aren’t just for skin care—they can also be beneficial in hair care. If you’re annoyed with the frizzy look of split ends, this ceramide-packed leave-in conditioner will help smooth rough hair cuticles to make split ends less noticeable. It also contains their patented Antifade Complex to help protect the vibrancy of colored hair in addition to an aromatherapy-inspired scent with notes of peach, vanilla, lavender and honey.

Now that you know all about ceramide products, have you heard of vitamin K? Read up on the 5 Benefits of Vitamin K for Skin, Hair and More.