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Shop The Inkey List Bio-active Ceramide Repairing And Plumping Moisturizer
Moisturizer
The Inkey List

Bio-active Ceramide Repairing And Plumping Moisturizer

· 50 ml (Pack of 1)
At a glance
Routine step
Moisturizer
When
Morning and evening
Pairs well with
Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Snail Mucin, Beta-Glucan
How to use

Apply as the last step in the evening, and before sunscreen in the morning. A fingertip-sized amount covers the face.

This product contains an active that can irritate at first. Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours and start two or three times a week.

Ingredient research in this formula

These are ingredient-level research links, not evidence that this exact product has been clinically tested.

  • CeramidesExcellent evidenceFull dossier

    Refills the natural barrier between your skin cells. Locks moisture in, keeps irritants out, calms dry or damaged skin.

    Good for: Barrier repair

  • Citric AcidGood evidenceFull dossier

    A fruit-derived AHA that exfoliates and antioxidizes. It shares the same basic mechanism as glycolic and lactic acid but is weaker gram-for-gram; in practice you'll see it doing dual duty (a little exfoliation plus pH stabilisation) in multi-acid toners and serums. When it appears low on an ingredient list, it's adjusting pH; higher up, it's contributing real exfoliation.

    Good for: Exfoliating, Antioxidant

  • GlycerinGood evidenceFull dossier

    A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

    Good for: Hydrating

  • Shea ButterGood evidenceFull dossier

    A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.

    Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating, Anti-inflammatory

New to this? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 to 48 hours before applying to your face. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, start 2 to 3 times per week and build up slowly.

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

CeramidesExcellent evidence7 citations

Refills the natural barrier between your skin cells. Locks moisture in, keeps irritants out, calms dry or damaged skin.

Andrew PV et al., Topical supplementation with physiological lipids rebalances the stratum corneum ceramide profile and strengthens skin barrier function in adults predisposed to atopic dermatitis, British Journal of Dermatology 2025;193(4):729-740: physiological-lipid emulsion raised SC ceramide NP/AP and improved barrier function vs control

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40408261View source ↗

Nugroho WT, Sawitri, Astindari, Utomo B, Listiawan MY, Ervianti E, Astari L. The Efficacy of Moisturisers Containing Ceramide Compared with Other Moisturisers in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Indian J Dermatol. 2023;68(1):53-58. Meta-analysis of 5 studies found ceramide-containing moisturisers produced significantly greater improvement in SCORAD compared with non-ceramide moisturisers in atopic dermatitis.

2023Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:37151263View source ↗

Shindo S et al., Effects of a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract on sweating function in adult atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled left-right comparison clinical trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4503-4509: pseudo-ceramide + eucalyptus moisturizer restored sweating function and barrier in AD adults

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35298858View source ↗
Citric AcidGood evidence4 citations

A fruit-derived AHA that exfoliates and antioxidizes. It shares the same basic mechanism as glycolic and lactic acid but is weaker gram-for-gram; in practice you'll see it doing dual duty (a little exfoliation plus pH stabilisation) in multi-acid toners and serums. When it appears low on an ingredient list, it's adjusting pH; higher up, it's contributing real exfoliation.

Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):863.

2018Mechanism onlyPMC:PMC6017965View source ↗

Yamamoto Y, Uede K, Yonei N, Kishioka A, Ohtani T, Furukawa F. Effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the human skin of Japanese subjects: the rationale for chemical peeling. Journal of Dermatology. 2006 Jan;33(1):16-22. Clinical-mechanistic study in Japanese subjects demonstrating AHA (including citric acid class) keratolytic and epidermal renewal effects as rationale for chemical peeling.

2006Mechanism onlyPMID:16469079View source ↗

Bernstein EF, Underhill CB, Lakkakorpi J, et al. Citric acid increases viable epidermal thickness and glycosaminoglycan content of sun-damaged skin. Dermatologic Surgery. 1997 Aug;23(8):689-694. Mechanistic study showing topical citric acid increased viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycans in sun-damaged skin, similar to glycolic acid and retinoic acid.

1997Mechanism onlyPMID:9256916View source ↗
GlycerinGood evidence6 citations

A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164: glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35167133View source ↗

Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736: topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin

2021Positive (efficacy)PMID:31869257View source ↗

Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748: 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration

2017Positive (efficacy)PMID:28889318View source ↗
+1 more ingredient
Shea ButterGood evidence4 citations

A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.

O'Connor RJ et al., Clinical Evaluation of a Diaper Containing a Shea Butter-Based Emollient and Impact on Diapered Skin Erythema, Pediatr Dermatol 2025;42(3):532-538: RCT n=271 infants, shea-butter diaper reduced dermatitis

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40189822View source ↗

Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Butyrospermum parkii (Shea)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Final Report.

2024Safety assessmentDOI:10.1177/10915818231224230View source ↗

Verallo-Rowell VM, Katalbas SS, Pangasinan JP. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2016;16(7):51. discussing shea butter unsaponifiable fraction NF-kB inhibition and dermatologic use.

2016Mechanism onlyPMID:27373890View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

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Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.