Below is every ingredient in 5% Nia-Ceramide Deep Moisturizing Cream with 5% Niacinamide & 1% Ceramide - 100g explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%.
Urea is a naturally occurring component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor that hydrates by attracting and retaining water; at higher concentrations it also softens and exfoliates thickened or scaly skin. It is widely used to treat dry skin conditions such as xerosis, ichthyosis, and hyperkeratosis.
Phytosphingosine is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps maintain the skin barrier and also exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly incorporated into moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations to support ceramide synthesis and skin integrity.
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract is derived from oat kernels and contains beta-glucans, avenanthramides, and polysaccharides that soothe, hydrate, and reduce irritation in the skin. It is widely used in products aimed at calming sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Vitamin E acetate (tocopheryl acetate) is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare for its antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water is essentially inert; reactions are attributable to other formula components, not the water itself. |
| Transient skin barrier disruption from excessive exposure | Rare | Prolonged or repeated wetting can contribute to mild barrier compromise, but this relates to usage patterns rather than the ingredient. |
| Mild skin irritation or stinging | Common | More likely at higher concentrations or on compromised/sensitive skin |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Recognized contact allergen; confirmed via patch testing |
| Irritant contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Non-allergic irritation, often dose-dependent |
| Worsening of pre-existing eczema or barrier-impaired skin | Rare | Penetration-enhancing effect may increase reactivity |
| Systemic toxicity from topical use | Very rare | Reported mainly with extensive application on broken skin, especially in infants or burn patients |
| Mild transient flushing or redness | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations or in sensitive skin; usually subsides quickly. |
| Tingling, stinging, or burning sensation | Uncommon | Often associated with higher percentages or compromised barrier. |
| Contact irritation or itching | Rare | Generally dose-dependent and resolves with discontinuation. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Purified Water Solvent/vehicle | Purified water is a highly filtered, deionized water used as the primary solvent and base in most skincare formulations. It dissolves water-soluble ingredients and provides the medium in which other components are dispersed. |
| Propylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Propylene glycol is a small glycol molecule widely used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that helps attract water and dissolve other ingredients. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Niacinamide Key active Cell-communicating / barrier-repair active | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Urea Key active Humectant / keratolytic | Urea is a naturally occurring component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor that hydrates by attracting and retaining water; at higher concentrations it also softens and exfoliates thickened or scaly skin. It is widely used to treat dry skin conditions such as xerosis, ichthyosis, and hyperkeratosis. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm oil and glycerin, used to soften skin, improve spreadability, and act as a solvent for oil-soluble ingredients. It is well-tolerated and serves primarily as a base ingredient rather than an active. |
| Dicaprylyl Carbonate Emollient / texture enhancer | Dicaprylyl Carbonate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut-based fatty alcohols and carbonic acid, used to improve skin feel and spreadability in cosmetic formulations. It also acts as a solvent and helps distribute pigments and other ingredients evenly. |
| Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol Emollient / emulsifier | Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (cetearyl alcohol) is a blend of fatty alcohols used in skincare as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, and thickening agent to improve texture and consistency. It is widely regarded as safe and well-tolerated in cosmetic formulations. |
| Coco Caprylate/Caprate Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester emollient derived from coconut-sourced fatty alcohols and caprylic/capric acids, used to provide a smooth, dry, non-greasy skin feel and to act as a silicone alternative. It functions primarily as a spreading agent and texture enhancer in lotions, creams, and sunscreens. |
| Petroleum Jelly Occlusive emollient/moisturizer | Petroleum jelly (petrolatum) is a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum that forms an occlusive barrier on the skin, reducing transepidermal water loss and protecting against irritants. It is widely used as a base ingredient and skin protectant in dermatology and cosmetic formulations. |
| Glyceryl Mono Stearate Emulsifier / emollient | Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) is a glycerol ester of stearic acid widely used as a non-ionic emulsifier, thickener, and emollient to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Glyceryl Stearate Citrate Emulsifier / co-emulsifier | Glyceryl Stearate Citrate is a plant-derived ester of glycerin, stearic acid, and citric acid used to create stable oil-in-water emulsions. It functions as a non-ionic emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent in creams and lotions. |
| Dimethicone Emollient/occlusive (silicone) | Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer used in skincare to soften skin, smooth texture, and form a breathable protective barrier that reduces transepidermal water loss. It is widely used as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Ceramide NP Skin-barrier replenishing lipid / emollient | Ceramide NP (formerly ceramide 3) is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving hydration. It is widely used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations. |
| Ceramide AP Skin barrier lipid / moisturizer | Ceramide AP (ceramide 6-II) is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is commonly used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations, often combined with other ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. |
| Phytosphingosine Key active Skin-conditioning agent / barrier-supporting lipid | Phytosphingosine is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps maintain the skin barrier and also exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly incorporated into moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations to support ceramide synthesis and skin integrity. |
| Cholesterol Skin barrier lipid / emollient | Cholesterol is a naturally occurring lipid found in the skin's stratum corneum that, alongside ceramides and fatty acids, helps maintain the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. In skincare formulations it functions as an emollient and barrier-repair agent that improves hydration and skin resilience. |
| Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Emulsifier/surfactant | Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is a mild, lactic acid-derived anionic surfactant and emulsifier used to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It also has some reported conditioning and antimicrobial-boosting properties. |
| Octyldodecanol Emollient/solvent | Octyldodecanol is a branched fatty alcohol used in cosmetic formulations as an emollient, solvent, and skin-conditioning agent that improves spreadability and texture. It helps soften skin and dissolve other ingredients without functioning as a treatment active. |
| Water Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves other ingredients and forms the bulk of emulsions and aqueous solutions. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. |
| Pentylene Glycol Humectant / solvent / preservative-booster | Pentylene glycol is a glycol used in cosmetics as a humectant and solvent that also enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations, helping reduce reliance on traditional preservatives. It improves skin hydration and aids the delivery and stability of other ingredients. |
| 2-Hexanediol Humectant/preservative-booster | 1,2-Hexanediol (commonly written 2-hexanediol) is a multifunctional diol used in skincare primarily as a humectant, solvent, and preservative-enhancing agent that improves the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations. It is generally well tolerated and considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Carbomer Thickener / gelling agent | Carbomer is a synthetic high-molecular-weight polymer of acrylic acid used to thicken, stabilize, and control the viscosity of gels, creams, and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| Saccharide Isomerate (and) Sodium Citrate Humectant / moisturizer | Saccharide Isomerate is a plant-derived carbohydrate complex that binds to the skin's keratin to provide long-lasting hydration, while Sodium Citrate functions as a buffering and chelating agent that stabilizes formulation pH. Together they form a moisturizing and conditioning blend commonly used in leave-on skincare products. |
| Polyacrylate-13 (and) Polyisobutene (and) Polysorbate 20 Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | A pre-neutralized liquid thickener blend used to stabilize emulsions and provide consistent viscosity in cosmetic formulations. It functions purely as a texturizing and stabilizing system rather than delivering a skin treatment benefit. |
| Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is a plant-derived fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree, rich in triglycerides and unsaponifiables. It is widely used in skincare to soften, smooth, and condition the skin while forming an occlusive barrier that reduces water loss. |
| Garcinia Indica Seed Butter Emollient / occlusive | Garcinia Indica (kokum) Seed Butter is a plant-derived butter rich in stearic and oleic fatty acids, used in skincare to soften, condition, and provide a protective occlusive barrier. It is valued for being non-greasy and restorative for dry or compromised skin. |
| Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory emollient | Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract is derived from oat kernels and contains beta-glucans, avenanthramides, and polysaccharides that soothe, hydrate, and reduce irritation in the skin. It is widely used in products aimed at calming sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Sodium PCA Humectant | Sodium PCA (sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and a component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It is widely used in cosmetics as a water-binding humectant to hydrate and soften the skin. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrator | Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin to improve hydration and surface plumpness. Its lower molecular weight allows better penetration than native hyaluronic acid. |
| D-Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | D-Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin and acts as a humectant and emollient, helping retain moisture and support barrier repair. It is commonly included in skincare for its hydrating and soothing properties. |
| Triethanolamine pH adjuster / emulsifier | Triethanolamine is an organic compound used in cosmetic formulations primarily to adjust pH and to act as an emulsifying agent, helping to stabilize mixtures of oil and water. It is typically present in small concentrations as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Vitamin E Acetate Key active Antioxidant / skin-conditioning agent | Vitamin E acetate (tocopheryl acetate) is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare for its antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier. |
| Linoleic Acid Key active Skin-barrier lipid / emollient | Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and a key component of skin ceramides that helps maintain the epidermal barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is also studied for normalizing sebum composition and reducing comedone formation in acne-prone skin. |
| Linolenic Acid Key active Skin-conditioning / barrier-repair fatty acid | Linolenic acid is an omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid used in skincare to support the skin's lipid barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and provide emollient and soothing benefits. It is also studied for mild anti-inflammatory and comedolytic effects. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.