Quick Answer: Ceramides are lipids (or fats) that make up roughly 50% of the skin barrier. Think of it as the "mortar" between skin cells that locks in moisture (van Smeden & Bouwstra, 2016). We produce fewer ceramides with age (Rogers et al., 1996). Oral ceramides like Ceramosides™, the key ingredient in Lemme Skin, have been studied in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and were associated with improved skin hydration and elasticity, with first results reported by day 14 (Bizot et al., 2017; Kern et al., 2024; SEPPIC Ceramosides™ clinical documentation, 2025).*
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are a family of lipids, or natural fats, found in the outermost layer of your skin. They make up roughly 50% of the skin barrier, which makes them one of its most important structural parts of your skin (van Smeden & Bouwstra, 2016). Studies often describe ceramides as central to keeping the skin barrier intact and functioning.
The easiest way to understand ceramides is the "brick-and-mortar" model: your skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides (along with other lipids) are the mortar holding those bricks together (Coderch et al.; van Smeden & Bouwstra, 2016). When the mortar is plentiful, the wall is sealed: moisture stays in and irritants stay out. When the mortar thins, that wall gets leaky, and skin can feel drier and look less smooth.
What do ceramides do for your skin?
In short, ceramides help the skin barrier do its job: locking in moisture and helping the skin stay resilient (van Smeden & Bouwstra, 2016; Coderch et al.).* A well-supported barrier holds onto water more effectively, which is closely tied to how hydrated, plump and smooth skin looks and feels. This is why skin barrier health is a foundation of so many skin routines. (For more on barrier-supporting options, see Best Skin Barrier Supplements: A Science-Backed Guide.)
Why do ceramides decline with age?
Here's the catch: we produce fewer ceramides as we age. A foundational study by Rogers and colleagues (1996) in Archives of Dermatological Research measured stratum corneum lipids and reported that ceramide levels change with both aging and the seasons with declines associated with older age. As ceramide content drops, the barrier's "mortar" thins, the skin loses moisture more readily, and fine lines and wrinkles can set in.
That age-related decline is exactly why supporting your skin's ceramides has become such an area of interest.
Can taking ceramides actually improve your skin? What the research shows
"Phytoceramides" are plant-derived ceramide precursors, or the building blocks your body uses to make ceramides. The most-studied form is Ceramosides™, the key ingredient in Lemme Skin.
In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies, this ingredient was associated with improvements in skin hydration and signs of skin aging:
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Bizot and colleagues (2017) reported improved skin hydration and age-related skin symptoms.*
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Kern and colleagues (2024) reported improved skin conditions in women with dry skin and mild-to-moderate skin aging.*
How long do oral ceramides take to work?
For the clinically-studied Ceramosides™ ingredient, the timeline reported:
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Day 14: first results — improved elasticity and hydration, improvement in skin moisturization, and fine lines/wrinkles decreased.*
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Day 30: skin appears smoother.*
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Day 60: fine line and wrinkle depth reduced.*
These are tied specifically to Ceramosides™, like that found in Lemme Skin. Taking Lemme Skin daily and consistently is key.
How do you use a ceramide supplement?
Most oral ceramide products are designed for once-daily use. Choose a product built around a named, clinically-studied ingredient, take it consistently, and give it several weeks. And as with any supplement, talk to your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning to be.
Our top ceramide option to know: Lemme Skin
If you're looking for a ceramide supplement, Lemme Skin Firming & Hydrating Gummy Rings is a great option that uses breakthrough, science-backed formulation. It's the first gummy ring vitamin formulated with clinically-studied ceramides to support firmer, more hydrated skin and improved elasticity from within.*
The hero ingredient is Ceramosides™, the most clinically-studied ceramide on the market, formulated with a DGDG absorption booster and backed by two gold-standard randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies (Bizot et al., 2017; Kern et al., 2024).* Each ring delivers a Skin Smoothing Complex (Ceramosides™ + Hyaluronic Acid + Sea Buckthorn for nourishing radiance), plus Vitamin C and Vitamin E.*
It's one Tropical Fruit ring daily: vegetarian, gelatin-free, biotin-free, gluten-free‡, non-GMO, with no high-fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, palm oil, or dairy. For skincare that goes deeper, explore Lemme Skin Gummy Rings.*
FAQ
What are ceramides in simple terms? Ceramides are lipids (fats) that make up about 50% of the skin barrier (van Smeden & Bouwstra, 2016). Think of them as the "mortar" between your skin cells (the "bricks") that locks in moisture.
Do ceramide levels really drop with age? Research, including Rogers and colleagues (1996), reports that lipids change with aging and the seasons, with declines associated with older age. That's part of why fine lines and wrinkles can set in.
Can taking ceramides improve your skin? In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, oral wheat-derived phytoceramides like the Ceramosides™ found in Lemme Skin were associated with improved skin hydration and elasticity and reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time (Bizot et al., 2017; Kern et al., 2024).*
Are oral ceramides the same as ceramide creams? No. Creams support the skin's surface directly, while oral ceramides like Lemme Skin aim to support ceramide content from within. They can be used together.*
Where do phytoceramides come from? Phytoceramides are plant-derived; the most-studied form (Ceramosides™) is wheat-derived. If you have a wheat allergy, consult your doctor before use.
How long before ceramide supplements work? For Ceramosides™ specifically, first results are reported at day 14, with continued improvement through day 60 (SEPPIC Ceramosides™ clinical documentation, 2025).*
About the author and reviewer
By the Lemme Editorial Team — Lemme's in-house writers translate ingredient science into clear, useful guidance for women's wellness. Lemme is an award-winning women's wellness brand known for its science-backed results and clinically-studied ingredients.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kathleen Valenton, MD — OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Lemme.
Sources
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Rogers J, Harding C, Mayo A, et al. Stratum corneum lipids: the effect of ageing and the seasons. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996;288(12):765-770. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02505294
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van Smeden J, Bouwstra JA. Stratum Corneum Lipids: Their Role for the Skin Barrier Function in Healthy Subjects and Atopic Dermatitis Patients. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26844894/
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Coderch L, et al. Ceramides and barrier function in healthy skin. (review) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20574598/
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Bizot V, Cestone E, Michelotti A, Nobile V. Improving Skin Hydration and Age-related Symptoms by Oral Administration of Wheat Glucosylceramides and Digalactosyl Diglycerides: A Human Clinical Study. Cosmetics. 2017;4(4):37. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4040037
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Kern C, Dudonné S, Garcia C, et al. Dietary supplementation with a wheat polar lipid complex improves skin conditions in women with dry skin and mild-to-moderate skin aging. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16130 (PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100124/)
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SEPPIC Ceramosides™ clinical documentation (2025).
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
‡The wheat has been processed to allow this food to meet the FDA requirements for gluten-free foods. Ceramosides™ is wheat-derived; anyone with a wheat allergy should consult their doctor before use.
