Common Name(s): N-stearoyl-dihydrosphingosine,n-stearoyl-dihydrosphingosine,n-acyl dihydrosphingosine,ceramide precursor sphingolipid
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Integrates into sc lamellar lipid bilayers as a ceramide structural analogue โ restoring the ceramide fraction depleted in dry and atopic skin, and serving as a direct substrate for ceramide biosynthesis enzyme (serine palmitoyl transferase pathway).
Why It's Used: N-acyl sphingolipid and serinol derivatives provide the most direct sc ceramide restoration โ the sphingolipid architecture enabling genuine lamellar bilayer participation for barrier repair.
How It Works: N-acyl dihydrosphingosine: amide-linked fatty acid (c18 stearoyl, c18:2 linoleoyl, or c18:3 linolenoyl) provides the sc lamellar integration geometry. tissue ceramide synthase (cers) can utilise the preformed n-acyl sphingolipid directly in the ceramide synthesis pathway, providing both topical emolliency and intracellular ceramide biosynthesis support.
Typically Found In: Barrier repair,eczema care,ceramide skin care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Fatty acid selection determines barrier and anti-inflammatory profile: stearoyl (c18:0) โ structural ceramide replacement; linoleoyl (c18:2) โ ceramide 1 acylceramide precursor (critical for lamellar body formation); linolenoyl (c18:3 omega-3) โ anti-inflammatory eicosanoid competition.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,n-stearoyl-dihydrosphingosine ceramide precursor sphingolipid barrier review