How to dissolve Ceramide NP powder

Ceramide NP in its pure powder form is notoriously difficult to dissolve because it has a very high melting point and specific solubility requirements. Here are the guidelines for dissolving it and alternative options:

1. How to Dissolve Pure Ceramide NP Powder

If you are using pure powder like Ceramide 3 (Ceramide NP, N-oleoyl-phytosphingosine) or Ceramide 3 (Ceramide NP, N-stearoyl-phytosphingosine), please follow these steps:

• Use the Oil Phase: Ceramide NP is oil-soluble, not water-soluble. It will not dissolve in Butylene Glycol or water-based solvents.
• High Heat is Mandatory: You must heat the oil phase to 75°C - 85°C. If the temperature is lower than this, the powder will not melt or dissolve properly and may recrystallize later in the formula.
• Solvents: It dissolves best in the oil phase of an emulsion. Using fatty alcohols (like Cetyl Alcohol) or certain esters in your oil phase can help stabilize the solution.

2. Why your previous attempt failed

• Butylene Glycol: This is a humectant/glycol and cannot dissolve pure Ceramide NP.
• PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides: While it is an emollient/surfactant, it may not be a strong enough solvent on its own, especially if sufficient heat (75-85°C) was not applied.

3. Easier-to-Use Alternatives

If you find the pure powder too difficult to work with, we recommend these "ready-to-use" or "easy-to-disperse" versions:

• Ceracare™ NP50 (Water/Oil Dispersible Ceramide NP): This is a 50% concentrated Ceramide NP in a specialized delivery system. It can be dispersed in either water or oil by heating to about 70-80°C, making it much easier to incorporate than pure powder.
• Ceracare™ Oil (Clear Oil Ceramide): This version is already dissolved in oil (minimum 2% Ceramide NP). You can simply mix it into your oil phase or finished oil-based product without needing high heat to melt the ceramide.
• Ceramide Complex (Water/Oil Dispersible Powder): A mixture of various ceramides and lipids designed to be easier to disperse in formulations.

For most DIY formulators, Ceracare™ NP50 or Ceracare™ Oil are the preferred choices to avoid the common issue of the ceramide not dissolving or "crashing out" of the formula.