In dermatologist’s practice, there are often patients with skin diseases with epidermal barrier disorders — atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and many others. The review presents current literature on the role of skin ceramides in the restoration of the epidermal barrier. Ceramides make up 45—50 % of the mass of the horny layer of the epidermis. Different families of ceramides, which are located both in the epidermis and in the dermis, have been studied. In addition, a large number of ceramides perform signaling functions in cellular metabolism, ranging from differentiation to apoptosis. The ratio of ceramides in the skin is different in different age periods of the person. Infants, young people, and seniors have almost no difference in the barrier function of the epidermis, but children and the elderly recover their barrier function much more slowly when their skin is damaged. The epidermis of patients suffering from various dermatoses accompanied by dry skin is characterized by reduced production and dysfunction of physiological lipids. Decrease in the level of ceramides correlates with an increase in pathological changes in the skin — the lower the level of ceramides, the more pronounced are clinical manifestations of xerosis. For long-term non-hormonal external therapy it is scientifically proved the use of therapeutic cosmetic means on the basis of ceramides identical to skin ceramides that allows to raise efficiency of therapy at chronic inflammatory dermatoses. In some clinical situations, a particularly pronounced reduction in the missing component of the epidermis is observed. In atopic dermatitis, the deficit of ceramides is most pronounced, therefore, mixtures with predominance of this component are preferred. Ceramides provide skin hydration, strengthen the skin’s hydrolipid barrier and reduce transepidermal moisture loss, avoid frequent relapses and improve the quality of life of these patients. The article presents the data on the effectiveness of the innovative cosmetic line of emollient dermatological cosmetics and the combined action drug cream (methylprednisolone aceponate + ceramide).