Ceramide 6-li is a phospholipid, a lipid molecule that belongs to the specific species of ceramides, the main constituents of the human skin's defence barrier and lipids in the stratum corneum where it has the ability to form stable lamellar structures. Ceramide is the central sphingolipid metabolism in the endoplasmic reticulum; it is also a regulator of important cell functions and is involved in pathological processes and metabolic alterations.

It appears in the form of a white powder.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Hair conditioning agent. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  Ingredient that has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

In a study to evaluate the potential water retention capacity of an oil-water emulsion, Ceramide was shown to exert a beneficial synergistic effect on the biochemical properties of the skin, such as skin hydration and protection from irritation by surfactants (1). It retains the skin's moisture in the stratum corneum and its moisturising effect produces an anti-ageing effect. 

References___________________________________________________________________

(1) Huang HC, Chang TM. Ceramide 1 and ceramide 3 act synergistically on skin hydration and the transepidermal water loss of sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin. Int J Dermatol. 2008 Aug;47(8):812-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03687.x.