Written by Jessie, Product Manager · Updated 11 November 2026

You'll find ceramides in many barrier creams, and now in skin supplements too. They're a big part of what your skin barrier is made of, so when they run low, skin loses water faster and starts to feel dry, rough and reactive. Here's what ceramides do, what wears them down, why Singapore's air-conditioning matters, and how ceramide creams and oral plant ceramides each help.

→ See Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir, our plant ceramide drink

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are fats (lipids) that your skin makes itself. They are the main lipid in the thin layers that hold the cells of your skin's outer layer together.^[1]

Picture that outer layer, the stratum corneum, as a brick wall. Skin cells are the bricks, and a mix of lipids is the mortar. The mortar is made of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids in roughly equal amounts. When all three are there, they pack into tight, orderly layers that hold water in. When the mix is incomplete, those layers form poorly. That's why adding back skin-identical lipids, especially ceramides, may help skin with a weakened barrier.^[1]

How do ceramides help your skin?

Ceramides help your skin hold on to water and keep out what irritates it. That's the job of the skin barrier, and ceramides are central to it.^[1]

• They hold water in. A strong barrier slows transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the water that evaporates out through your skin. TEWL is one of the main things ceramide studies measure.
• They keep irritants out. In dry, cool conditions the barrier weakens, and skin becomes more reactive to irritants and allergens.^[2]
• They keep skin supple. In a 3-month study of rice ceramides taken daily, skin hydration, firmness and elasticity improved, and wrinkles became less pronounced.^[3]
• They calm dry, uncomfortable skin. In a placebo-controlled trial, konjac plant ceramides taken daily reduced skin dryness, redness and itching.^[4]

What lowers ceramide levels in your skin?

Age, dry or cool air, harsh washing habits and an eczema-prone skin type can all leave your skin with fewer ceramides or a weaker barrier.

• Age. Ceramide levels in the skin fall as we get older.^{[5] [6]}
• Season and dry air. In one study, the skin's barrier lipids dropped sharply in winter compared with spring and summer.^[5] Low humidity and cooler temperatures weaken the skin barrier in general.^[2]
• Hot showers and harsh soap. Harsh soaps strip away the skin's natural moisturisers, and dermatologists advise lukewarm rather than very hot showers.^[7]
• Eczema-prone skin. Skin affected by atopic dermatitis (eczema) has markedly fewer ceramides, even in patches without a rash.^[6]

Why does air-conditioning dry out your skin in Singapore?

Air-conditioning cools the air and makes it drier, and dry, cool air weakens the skin barrier. Dermatologists list excessive air-conditioning among the causes of dry skin.^[8]

In Singapore, your skin goes back and forth all day. Outdoors, average relative humidity is around 82%, and often above 90% before sunrise.^[9] Step into an office, mall or MRT train and you meet cool, drier air. Research shows that low humidity and low temperatures lower skin barrier function and make skin more reactive to irritants.^[2] Heat and changes in temperature are also known eczema triggers.^[10]

That's why SingHealth advises people with dry skin to spend less time in dry, air-conditioned rooms, and to consider a humidifier alongside the air-conditioning if they spend many hours there.^[7] For more on heat, sweat and humidity, read how Singapore's climate affects your skin barrier.

What are the signs of a weak skin barrier?

A weak skin barrier usually shows up as skin that feels dry, looks dull and reacts more easily. Common signs include:

• Skin that feels dry and less supple^[8]
• A dull, rough surface, or flaky patches^[8]
• Itching, and small cracks when skin is very dry^{[8] [11]}
• More redness or irritation from products or weather^[2]

Dry skin like this comes down to a barrier with fewer lipids between the skin cells.^[8] Putting those lipids back, on the skin and from within, is where ceramides come in.

Do ceramide supplements work?

Yes, for skin hydration. Ceramide supplements, also called oral ceramides, are plant ceramides you take by mouth, and in clinical trials they raised skin hydration and reduced water loss through the skin (TEWL). The strongest evidence is a 2022 meta-analysis that reviewed 66 randomised controlled trials of skin supplements, including 11 trials of oral ceramides with 601 people. When the trials of ceramides taken on their own were pooled, ceramides significantly increased skin hydration and lowered TEWL compared with placebo. Oral collagen did the same, and hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) also improved skin hydration.^[12]

• Corn ceramides, 3 weeks: in a study of volunteers, 20 mg or 40 mg of corn-derived plant ceramide a day raised the water content of the skin on the legs to 290% and 394% of starting levels, compared with 141% on placebo. Water loss through the skin fell to 33% and 14% of starting levels, compared with 69% on placebo.^[13]
• Rice ceramides, 3 months: in an open-label study, 50 adults in Kuala Lumpur took 40 mg of rice ceramides a day. Skin hydration, firmness and elasticity improved on the cheek, neck and forearm, and water loss, redness and pigmentation went down. The lines from nose to mouth also became less deep. Older participants responded more on some measures, and no side effects were reported.^[3]
• Konjac ceramides, 6 weeks: in a placebo-controlled trial with 51 adults aged 18 to 60, a konjac extract providing 5 mg of glycosylceramides a day reduced skin dryness, redness, itching, oiliness and dark patches. It was well tolerated.^[4]
• Wheat ceramides, 3 months: in a placebo-controlled trial with 51 women aged 20 to 63 with dry to very dry skin, 350 mg of a ceramide-rich wheat extract oil a day significantly increased skin hydration on the arms and legs.^[14]

Sources: the clinical studies listed in the References.^{[3] [4] [13] [14]}

The rice study is the closest match to the ceramides in our Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir, which has 60 mg of ceramide from Myoceram® rice germ extract in each sachet.

Trials measured their effects on the face, neck, arms and legs, not just one patch of skin.^{[3] [13] [14]}

What are phytoceramides? Plant ceramides, also called phytoceramides, occur naturally in foods such as barley, corn and wheat flour.^[15] In plants, a major form is glucosylceramide, a ceramide joined to a sugar.^[3] Your body digests them into smaller pieces called sphingoid bases. In lab studies on human skin cells and a 3D skin model, these pieces switched on ceramide-making genes and raised ceramide production,^[16] which may be how a small daily amount supports the skin barrier.

Are ceramides good for dry, eczema-prone skin?

Ceramides are a good fit for dry, eczema-prone skin, because this skin type tends to be low in them.^[6] Ceramide moisturisers have improved eczema severity scores in studies, and so has a daily oral konjac ceramide in a study of children.

• Ceramide creams: 24 children with stubborn eczema swapped their usual moisturiser for a ceramide-dominant barrier cream, alongside their usual treatment. Eczema severity scores (SCORAD) improved in 22 of the 24 within 3 weeks, and water loss through the skin fell while hydration improved over the following months.^[17]
• Ceramide moisturisers vs other moisturisers: a 2023 meta-analysis found that moisturisers containing ceramide improved eczema severity scores more than other moisturisers.^[18]
• Oral ceramides: in a study of 50 children with moderate eczema, 1.8 mg of konjac ceramide a day for 2 weeks significantly lowered eczema severity scores, while scores in the control group did not significantly change.^[19]

Ceramides support the barrier, so they pair best with the eczema plan your doctor gives you: moisturise at least twice a day and keep going even when your skin improves, wash with an emollient instead of soap, and use any treatment your doctor prescribes, such as steroid creams.^[10] To see how collagen fits in too, read is collagen good for eczema and dry skin?

Ceramides vs hyaluronic acid: which does your skin need?

Ceramides and hyaluronic acid do different jobs, so they work well together. Ceramides seal water in, while hyaluronic acid and other humectants (water-attracting ingredients) draw water into the skin and hold it there.^{[1] [20] [21]}

Barrier lipids: Coderch et al.^[1] Ceramide creams: 2023 meta-analysis and NHS.^{[10] [18]} Oral ceramides and hyaluronic acid: clinical studies.^{[3] [12] [14] [20]} Humectants and occlusives: DermNet.^[21]

If you're weighing ceramides against collagen, they work at different layers of the skin. Read ceramides or collagen for dry skin: what each one does.

How do you protect your skin barrier on long air-con days?

A few daily habits protect the ceramides you have, and a daily ceramide habit adds support from within:

1. Keep showers short and lukewarm. Use lukewarm or cool water rather than very hot, for 5 to 10 minutes.^[7]
2. Choose a gentle cleanser. A mild, unscented soap substitute is kinder to dry skin than harsh soap.^[7]
3. Moisturise while your skin is still damp. Creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions.^[11]
4. Add moisture to the air. If you spend many hours in air-conditioning, a humidifier alongside it can help.^[7]
5. Sip water through the day. Good hydration is part of caring for dry skin.^[8] Here's why you can still feel dehydrated at your desk.
6. Pause harsh products when skin feels tight. Dermatologists suggest avoiding products with alcohol, fragrance or retinoids on dry skin.^[11]
7. Support your skin from within every day. The oral ceramide trials on skin hydration ran for 3 weeks to 3 months of daily use, so consistency matters more than timing.^{[3] [13]}

Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir gives you 60 mg of ceramide from Myoceram® rice germ extract in every sachet, with 20 mg of Hyabest® sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid. Each sachet also has 100 mg of vitamin C, which supports the skin's own collagen production,^[22] plus 36 mg of vitamin E, selenium yeast and fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic fibre. It's made with black cherry and apple juice concentrates and monk fruit extract, and it's vegan and gluten-free, with no dairy, soy or nuts. It's ready to drink, with no water needed: shake, then take 1 sachet a day, before or after meals.

Shop Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir

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Related reading: Ceramides or collagen for dry skin: what each one does · Is collagen good for eczema and dry skin? · How Singapore's climate affects your skin barrier

Frequently asked questions

Which foods contain ceramides?
Plant ceramides are found naturally in foods such as barley, corn and wheat flour. The skin trials used concentrated extracts from rice, corn, konjac or wheat, taken every day. A daily supplement gives you a set amount, alongside a varied diet.

Are ceramides good for oily skin in humid weather?
Yes. Oily skin still needs a healthy barrier to hold on to water, and ceramides are part of every skin type's barrier. In a placebo-controlled trial, konjac plant ceramides taken daily reduced oiliness as well as dryness. On humid days, a lighter lotion can feel more comfortable than a thick cream.

How long do ceramides take to work?
In trials, oral corn ceramides raised skin hydration within 3 weeks, and konjac ceramides reduced dryness within 6 weeks. The rice and wheat studies ran for 3 months of daily use. A ceramide cream improved eczema scores in most children within 3 weeks. Give any new ceramide routine at least a month of daily use before you judge it.

Are ceramide supplements safe?
Ceramide supplements were well tolerated in the trials, and no side effects were reported in the 3-month rice ceramide study. A 2022 meta-analysis found that all the skin supplements it reviewed, including ceramides, were safe throughout the trials, which mostly lasted up to 24 weeks.

Can you take ceramides and collagen together?
Yes. They work at different layers: ceramides in the outer barrier, and collagen in the deeper layer of skin, the dermis. In a 2022 meta-analysis, both oral collagen and oral ceramides improved skin hydration and reduced water loss through the skin.

Who can take Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir?
Black Cherry Ceramide Elixir is vegan and gluten-free, with no dairy, soy or nuts. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, on prescribed medication or have allergies, check with your doctor before you start. For children, ask a healthcare professional first.

References
[1] Coderch L et al. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003.
[2] Engebretsen KA et al. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016.
[3] Leo TK et al. Effect of rice (Oryza sativa L.) ceramides supplementation on improving skin barrier functions and depigmentation: an open-label prospective study. Nutrients. 2022.
[4] Heggar Venkataramana S et al. Potential benefits of oral administration of Amorphophallus konjac glycosylceramides on skin health: a randomized clinical study. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020.
[5] Rogers J et al. Stratum corneum lipids: the effect of ageing and the seasons. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996.
[6] Imokawa G et al. Decreased level of ceramides in stratum corneum of atopic dermatitis: an etiologic factor in atopic dry skin? J Invest Dermatol. 1991.
[7] HealthXchange (SingHealth). Dry skin: how to manage. With Assoc Prof Lee Haur Yueh, Department of Dermatology, Singapore General Hospital.
[8] DermNet. Dry skin. Author: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, dermatologist. Updated March 2022.
[9] Meteorological Service Singapore. Climate of Singapore.
[10] NHS. Atopic eczema. Page last reviewed 6 September 2024.
[11] American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. Last updated 2 January 2026.
[12] Sun Q et al. Effectiveness of dietary supplement for skin moisturizing in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Nutr. 2022.
[13] Asai S, Miyachi H. Evaluation of skin-moisturizing effects of oral or percutaneous use of plant ceramides. Rinsho Byori. 2007. (Article in Japanese.)
[14] Guillou S et al. The moisturizing effect of a wheat extract food supplement on women's skin: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2011.
[15] Fukunaga S et al. Effect of torula yeast (Candida utilis)-derived glucosylceramide on skin dryness and other skin conditions in winter. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 2018.
[16] Shirakura Y et al. 4,8-Sphingadienine and 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine activate ceramide production in the skin. Lipids Health Dis. 2012.
[17] Chamlin SL et al. Ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids alleviate childhood atopic dermatitis: changes in barrier function provide a sensitive indicator of disease activity. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002.
[18] Nugroho WT et al. The efficacy of moisturisers containing ceramide compared with other moisturisers in the management of atopic dermatitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Indian J Dermatol. 2023.
[19] Kimata H. Improvement of atopic dermatitis and reduction of skin allergic responses by oral intake of konjac ceramide. Pediatr Dermatol. 2006.
[20] Kawada C et al. Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. Nutr J. 2014.
[21] DermNet. Emollients and moisturisers. Dr Libby Whittaker (2022); Dr Amanda Oakley, dermatologist (2016).
[22] Pullar JM et al. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017.

These statements have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Consult a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on prescribed medication.