Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

By Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

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April 16, 2023

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Of all the skin care supplements out there, ceramides are often left out of the conversation. Buzzy ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen can certainly work wonders for plump, firm skin from the inside out, but some people may benefit from a dose of ceramides as well. 

How can you tell if this ingredient should be on your must-have list? If the following skin situations resonate with you, then you might want to give them a try. 

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1.

You have dry skin or eczema

Are ceramide supplements a cure for eczema? No. However, they can be helpful to encourage more hydrated skin from within. See, everyone has ceramides naturally, but not everyone has the same amount. 

And without ceramides, your skin barrier will become compromised. “Skin with inadequate skin barrier functions like eczema and atopic dermatitis have low levels of ceramides in the skin,” clean cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Consultants Krupa Koestline tells mbg.

Hence, why it’s so important for those with eczema to consume more ceramides, partly making up for the lack they already have. That being said, eczema is a complex skin condition, so it’s still best to consult with your dermatologist about the best strategy for your unique skin. 

2.

You want to support aging skin

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When you support skin hydration and elasticity via ceramides, you’ll likely see smoother, more evenly textured skin as a result. Especially if you already practice regular exfoliation and use retinol (or gentle retinol alternatives, like bakuchiol) this ingredient will be the cherry on top for your softest skin yet. 

While you’re at it, you may even add a ceramide cream to your topical routine. Think of it like approaching skin hydration from the inside and the outside. 

Ready to add a ceramide supplement to your daily routine? Start here with a curated list of the 13 best beauty supplements on the market right now.  

The takeaway

While anyone can benefit from adding more ceramides to their routine, those with dry skin, aging skin, and those who crave a smoother skin texture will especially benefit from this skin barrier-supporting ingredient. Want to learn more about ceramides and how they affect the skin? Here’s a full breakdown