Phytoceramides, Explained: The Secret To Moisturized, Glowing Skin*

If you're the kind of person who stirs collagen into your morning coffee and spends their Saturday nights doing gua sha facial massages, you're going to want to know about phytoceramides. In fact, you're probably already using phytoceramides without even realizing it. Present in many popular face creams and serums, phytoceramides are a plant-derived fat molecule that mimics the skin's natural barrier functions to smooth and moisturize. But that's not the only way to use them: You can ingest them orally.

A quick science lesson: Ceramides are polar lipids, key lipids that are naturally present in our skin cells1. They make up the barrier between the outside environment and our body, locking in moisture and protecting our skin from damage.

If you think of the skin barrier as "bricks and mortar," ceramides are part of the mortar holding it all together—50%, in fact2. They play a huge role in keeping your skin moisturized, glowing, and youthful.* That is, of course, until they don't. If you want to get to the root of wrinkles and dry skin, look to the loss of ceramides.

There are two ways to get phytoceramides: Topical and via oral supplementation.

Ceramides a very popular ingredient in skin care items, specifically in creams and serums. They are in the form of phytoceramides (which are extracted from several types of botanicals including corn, oats, and wheat) or synthetic. If you prefer natural origins only, just look for how the ceramides were sourced (usually they'll tell you if they come from natural origin). Otherwise, you can find safe, clean, modern, synthetic options too.  

In addition, you should be snagging your phytoceramides from supplements for optimal benefits.* Phytoceramides are common ingredient in beauty supplements, as they play such an important role in skin health. Research indicates that when used consistently, they can keep your skin hydrated long term by naturally supporting stores from the inside out.*

Our skin's natural ceramides are all about keeping moisture in. Their primary role in skin barrier function is to guard against water loss6. (So, it's no wonder cosmetic companies pump phytoceramides into their hydrating topical formulas.) Adding phytoceramides to your skin care routine does seem to have promising skin-quenching benefits7.* In one small study, women who applied phytoceramides to their legs for three weeks saw improved skin hydration8.* 

However, popping a phytoceramide supplement seems to be the way to go when it comes to really maximizing systemic moisturizing benefits.* In one study, participants with clinically dry skin who took a phytoceramide-rich wheat extract oil for three months saw up to a 35% improvement in skin hydration9.*

Fighting wrinkles is all about being proactive and helping your skin's integrity. As board-certified dermatologist Kiera Barr, M.D., explains, "Ninety percent of visible aging is due to sun exposure, with air pollution, smoking, and stress being close seconds." And when it comes to managing all those skin stressors, you'll want to strengthen skin from within. 

Your skin barrier function is a vital thing to protect. When it's compromised, it's more susceptible to water loss and irritation from external aggressors. This creates a host of problems. A robust skin barrier "protects us from mechanical injury, low humidity, cold, heat, sun, wind, chemical exposure, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens," explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., stating that, "a healthy barrier is critical to normal skin function."

Ceramides are the first line of defense against harmful environmental toxins, protecting your skin from damage.* Supporting your ceramides with phytoceramide supplements can reinforcing that barrier from the inside.*

There are no specific recommended doses for how much phytoceramides you should be getting. So when you think about much you should consume, it should be viewed from a results-forward approach. For the skin specifically, most of the research indicates using 11 to 70 mg per day10 to in order see results.