Ceramides – Supporting the skin’s natural barrier

Ceramides – Supporting the skin’s natural barrier

Ceramides are not a passing skincare trend; they are the invisible architecture that seals our skin and strengthens our hair. These lipid molecules form up to 50% of the “cement” between corneocytes in the epidermis, preventing cracks, water loss, and irritation. In hair, they protect the cuticle scales, keeping fibres smooth, resilient, and resistant to breakage.

With age, and particularly through hormonal shifts like menopause, natural ceramide levels decline. The result is skin that becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic, and hair that grows weaker, more brittle, and sheds more easily. This is not vanity; it is biology — a loss of lipids that destabilises the very barriers protecting our skin and hair.

The essentials

What they are: Plant-derived ceramides, often glucosylceramides, that integrate into the skin barrier and support long-lasting hydration.
Why they matter: A strong ceramide barrier reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and helps preserve elasticity, suppleness, and visible smoothness.
Life stage relevance: From the mid-30s onwards, ceramide production decreases, making supplementation an elegant way to preserve skin vitality.

Natural sources

Phytoceramides occur naturally in grains such as wheat and rice, and in certain vegetables, but levels vary and are not standardised. The amounts needed for visible results are almost impossible to obtain through diet alone. For meaningful support, phytoceramides must be extracted and processed in a way that preserves their structure and ensures bioavailability.

Generic extracts may contain ceramides, but without clinical validation there is no guarantee of measurable results.

A smarter source of ceramides

Ceramosides™ is a patented wheat lipid complex, designed to restore what time erodes. Unlike topical creams that act only on the surface, it works from within — replenishing the body’s natural ceramide reservoir at its source. Its strength lies in its composition: a concentrated blend of phytoceramides, the very lipids that form up to half of the skin’s protective barrier, combined with digalactosyl diglycerides (DGDG), a rare lipid that enhances absorption and bioavailability. This unique synergy allows Ceramosides™ to deliver results at remarkably low doses.

Clinically proven transformation

In gold-standard, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, Ceramosides™ demonstrated visible and measurable improvements:

  • Hydration: skin moisture increased by up to +21% in 15 days, continuing to rise over 60 days.
  • Elasticity: firmness and suppleness improved by +18–26%.
  • Wrinkles: wrinkle depth decreased by up to 18% in just 56 days.
  • Hair vitality: within 2–3 months, participants showed up to +24% more follicles in the growth phase, with hair fibres more resistant to breakage and less shedding during traction tests.

These improvements persisted even after supplementation stopped, confirming that the changes were structural, not superficial. The result is skin that appears smoother, firmer, and more hydrated, and hair that feels stronger, fuller, and more vital.

Explore The Beauty Complete formula

Ceramosides™ phytoceramides are included in our Beauty Complete formula, provided at 30 mg (powder) per daily dose (two capsules).

References

Bizot, V.; Kern, C.; Dudonné, S.; Garbar, C. Ceramosides™ H.P.: An Effective Nutritional Anti-Aging Agent to Improve Skin Elasticity, Hydration and Wrinkles. Cosmetics 2017, 4(4), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4040037

Kern, C.; Dudonné, S.; Garbar, C.; Garcia, C. Oral intake of a wheat polar lipid complex (Ceramosides™) improves skin hydration, elasticity and reduces wrinkles: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024; 23(4):1320-1330. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16185

Dudonné, S., Kern, C., & Garcia, C. (2024). Efficacy of a wheat polar lipid complex in reducing hair loss and improving hair growth in healthy women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 46(2), 284-296. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12929

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🇫🇷 Ceramosides™ is a patented phytoceramide complex derived from wheat, manufactured in France by Seppic, a global specialist in high-quality cosmetic and nutraceutical ingredients, recognised for combining scientific validation, strict quality standards, and sustainable innovation.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for general informational purposes. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor should it be interpreted as making health claims. The content summarises ingredient characteristics based on publicly available research. Individual experiences may differ. For any questions regarding supplementation, nutrition, or personal health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions.