Last reviewed: March 2026 · The Purest Co Editorial Team · About The Purest Co

If you've used any serious moisturiser, barrier repair cream, or eczema treatment in the past decade, ceramides have probably appeared on the ingredient label. They're mentioned frequently, described vaguely as "skin-identical lipids" or "barrier repair ingredients," and assumed by most people to be just another moisturising compound. They're considerably more important than that.

Understanding ceramides means understanding why dry, reactive, or eczema-prone skin behaves the way it does, and why some approaches to treating it work while others don't.

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What Ceramides Actually Are

Ceramides are lipid molecules (fats) that make up approximately 50% of the outer skin layer (stratum corneum) by weight. If the skin barrier were a brick wall, ceramides would be the mortar. Skin cells (corneocytes) are the bricks. Ceramides fill the spaces between them, sealing the barrier against water loss and preventing irritants, allergens, bacteria, and pollutants from penetrating.

There are at least 12 different ceramide subtypes, each with slightly different structural roles. They work alongside cholesterol and free fatty acids in a specific ratio (approximately 1:1:1) to form the lamellar bodies that create the barrier's selectivity. Without adequate ceramides in the right ratio, the lamellar bodies can't form properly. The barrier becomes porous. Water escapes and external substances penetrate more easily.^[1]

What Depletes Ceramides

Ceramide levels decline naturally with age. They also decline with overexposure to harsh cleansers and surfactants, which strip the lipid layer. Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are characterised by intrinsically low ceramide production. Dry climates and air conditioning (particularly relevant for Singapore's heavily air-conditioned environment) accelerate transepidermal water loss and ceramide depletion. And there's a gut health component: the systemic inflammation from gut dysbiosis impairs the lipid-producing cells (keratinocytes) that synthesise ceramides.

Topical Ceramides vs Oral Ceramides

Topical ceramide formulations are the most direct approach and have good evidence for barrier repair. Ceramide-containing creams directly supplement the stratum corneum lipids. The limitation is that topical application addresses the surface outcome without influencing the underlying production capacity.

Oral ceramide supplementation is an emerging but increasingly evidenced approach. Plant-derived ceramides (primarily from wheat and konjac) taken orally have shown measurable improvements in skin hydration, barrier integrity, and transepidermal water loss reduction in clinical studies. A 2020 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found significant improvements in skin hydration and barrier function with oral wheat-derived ceramide supplementation over 12 weeks.^[2]

The Gut-Ceramide Connection

Short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria fermenting prebiotic fibre provide precursors for lipid synthesis pathways including ceramide production. When gut dysbiosis reduces SCFA production, ceramide synthesis capacity in skin keratinocytes is affected.

Additionally, the systemic inflammation from gut dysbiosis directly suppresses ceramide-producing enzyme activity in skin cells. This is part of the reason eczema, which has strong gut microbiome associations, is also characterised by low ceramide levels.

What Genuinely Supports Ceramide Levels

For topical support, look for moisturisers and barrier creams containing ceramides in combination with cholesterol and fatty acids to provide the complete lipid ratio the barrier needs. Products with just ceramides without the companion lipids produce less complete barrier repair.

For internal support, oral ceramide supplementation, omega-3 fatty acids (which support the lipid membrane environment), and gut microbiome support to maintain SCFA production and reduce the inflammation that suppresses ceramide synthesis are the most evidence-backed approaches.

In Singapore's climate, a gentler cleansing routine is often as impactful as ceramide supplementation. Harsh cleansers actively deplete ceramides faster than they can be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do ceramides do for skin?
Ceramides are the primary lipid component of the skin barrier, making up approximately 50% of the outer skin layer by weight. They fill the spaces between skin cells, preventing water loss and blocking external irritants and allergens from penetrating. When ceramides are depleted, the skin becomes dry, reactive, and permeable to irritants.

What depletes ceramides in skin?
Natural ageing, harsh cleansers that strip skin lipids, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, air conditioning and dry environments, and systemic inflammation from gut dysbiosis that suppresses ceramide-producing cell activity.

Can you increase ceramides from inside?
Yes. Oral plant-derived ceramides (from wheat and konjac) have clinical evidence for improving skin hydration and barrier integrity. Omega-3 fatty acids support the lipid membrane environment. And gut microbiome health affects ceramide production through short-chain fatty acid signalling.

Are ceramides good for eczema?
Yes. Eczema is characterised by intrinsically low ceramide production, which is why eczema skin loses moisture easily. Ceramide-containing topical products directly supplement the depleted barrier lipids. Oral ceramide support combined with gut health interventions provides a more comprehensive approach.

What is the best ceramide supplement in Singapore?
Look for formulations combining ceramide actives with complementary skin barrier ingredients in a bioavailable format. The Purest Co Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir is specifically formulated for skin barrier support with ceramide actives and supporting compounds.

How can I increase ceramides in my skin naturally?
Dietary approaches that support ceramide levels include omega-3 fatty acids (which support the lipid membrane environment), foods rich in sphingolipids like eggs, dairy, and soybeans, and adequate dietary fibre to support the gut bacteria that produce SCFA precursors for ceramide synthesis. Avoiding harsh cleansers, hot water, and over-exfoliation is as important as adding supportive nutrients, as these directly strip ceramides faster than the skin can replenish them.

Are ceramides the same as hyaluronic acid?
No. They are complementary compounds that work at different layers. Ceramides are lipids that form the mortar between skin cells in the outer barrier layer, preventing water loss and blocking irritant penetration. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws and holds water in the dermis. Ceramides keep water in by sealing the outer barrier. Hyaluronic acid provides the water reserve that ceramides then seal in. Both are important and their effects are additive.

Can ceramide supplements replace moisturiser?
Not directly. Topical moisturisers that contain ceramides work on the surface barrier layer where ceramides function. Oral ceramide supplements support the skin's endogenous ceramide production capacity from within, addressing the underlying production deficit rather than just topping up the surface. For people with chronically ceramide-depleted skin (eczema, persistent dryness), oral ceramide support plus a ceramide-containing topical is more effective than either approach alone.

References
[1] Coderch L et al. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2003. Ceramides and skin function.
[2] Asai S et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020. Oral intake of glucosylceramide improves dry skin.
[3] Vaughn AR et al. Gut Microbes. 2025. The gut-skin axis: a bi-directional, microbiota-driven relationship.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition.