When I was offered NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator to try out, I don’t think I knew that it was a bottle of supplements (though I have tried other supplements from NeoCell before).
But when they arrived, I was happy to receive a bottle of skincare capsules rather than another skincare serum or cream to try. Also, I’ve been helping Jeff for several days since he had his hip replacement surgery, and it was much easier to toss the lightweight bottle of NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator supplements into my luggage to bring with me rather than another liquid or cream.
I’ve been taking NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator supplements for more than three weeks, and I’m almost finished with the bottle that contained a 30 day supply. Even though the photo below shows 4 capsules to give you an idea of their size, I take two easy to swallow capsules a day as recommended.
Ceramides and Ceramide Research
Just as a refresher for readers, ceramides are lipids found within the body that increase moisture and skin elasticity by bolstering the skin’s moisture barrier to keep hydration in. As you age, ceramide levels, like so much else, begin to decrease.
I have been using ceramides in skincare products, especially the Elizabeth Arden serum capsules, on and off for 30 years. Ceramides applied topically have been shown to have beneficial effects on skin hydration and elasticity.
NeoCell developed Ceramides Skin Hydrator capsules – skincare from the inside out – with a cocktail of skin loving ingredients:
- CERAMOSIDES™ CERAMIDES: plant based lipids and clinically tested to increase smoothness, moisture, and elasticity
- HYALURONIC ACID: a water-loving nutrient that occurs naturally in the skin to help maintain suppleness, hydration and elasticity (I’m assuming it’s in the sodium hyaluronate form that is small enough to penetrate the layers of the skin)
- SKIN HYDRABLEND™ a blend of nutrients that hydrate, fight free radicals in the body and encourage collagen production
Here’s the complete ingredient list. I’m assuming the “Skin Hydrablend” includes vitamin C, lutein, pine bark extract, and astaxanthin.
Over the past decade, there has been research into ceramide supplements. There was a Japanese study conducted a number of years ago that showed positive results. NeoCell conducted their own clinical trials with plant-based ceramides that make up their patented Ceramosides Powder before launching their new NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator. Here’s what they found.
The chart shows that skin moisturization was increased by 16% and 21% versus placebo after 15 and 60 days respectively. In the same subjects, the increase in skin moisturization versus baseline (i.e. measurement before they started the ceramides trial) was even higher at 23% after 15 days and 36% after 60 days.
Similarly, skin elasticity increased 18% and 26% versus placebo after 15 and 60 days respectively. In the same subjects, skin elasticity increased 15% and 36% versus baseline after 15 and 60 days, respectively.
In addition, 80-85% of their study subjects reported a reduction in skin scales, less “pulling” on their skin and an improved appearance. It sounds like their research subjects had very dry skin to begin with, but check out the NeoCell website for additional information.
What’s so promising about NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator supplements is that results can be seen in 15 days, and greater results in 2 months.
Now I’m a tough customer because my skin is already in decent shape. My skin is not dehydrated, I don’t have “scales”, and my skin isn’t so dry that it feels tight. Frankly, I have been using various hyaluronic acid topical skincare products for ages, and I’ve been using them along with the supplements. So the supplements have been “extra” support for hydration and elasticity. As a result, I can’t say with certainty that the supplements made a difference anymore than I can pinpoint which of my three hyaluronic acid serums has made a difference! However, now that I’m away from my HA stash at home, the NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator supplements have kept my skin feeling nicely hydrated and feeling/looking plumped.
NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator comes in 60 or 120 capsule sizes. The capsules are gluten free and they don’t contain soy, wheat, lactose, starch, corn, yeast, or artificial flavors. They’re sold at Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, GNC, Sam’s Club, iHerb, walmart.com, and other retailers. The approximate price of the 60 capsule bottle is about $16.99-17.99. I just noticed that CVS has a 30% off coupon SAVENOW. I would like to try using the supplements for another month especially as the weather gets colder as well as to test the product for the length of their clinical research trials, so I plan to take advantage of the 30% off coupon at CVS!
Have you tried skin supplements? Do the NeoCell Ceramides Skin Hydrator capsules sound like something you would consider?
I have tried a number of Neocell supplements over the past year, mostly their collagen line for skin. I tried the collagen powder; used up the whole jar. I had high hopes but found that they made little difference. To be fair, it was in 30-day spurts. Nothing longer. I’m currently trying their collagen capsules for joints. I haven’t yet tried this particular product. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you, Lynne, for letting me know your experiences with NeoCell supplements. I too have taken a number of them, and I could never tell if they made a difference, probably because I have such a complex skincare regimen since I’m always testing out so many topically applied skincare products. I would say my favorite was the biotin bursts – those I could tell worked because I wasn’t taking any other biotin. The length of time you trial something can vary in order to see results. When I first started taking biotin supplements (another brand), I wasn’t taking a high enough dosage, but after upping the dosage to 5-10K/day, the biotin worked like gang-busters but it took 3 months. NeoCell claims that their clinical trial subject had changes after 15 days. But usually your facial skin cells turnover in 30 days, so that testing period should be sufficient. Keep me posted too!
Thank you for your frank assessment that you can’t pinpoint which HA serum, or if this supplement, accounts for the difference seen in your skin. I am generally quite hesitant to test out supplements because my stomach has been reactive to some in the past.
Lola Seicento recently posted…Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Lip Liner in So Mod | Review and Swatches #RodinOlioLusso
After I had diverticulitis, I felt that same way, but now thankfully I’m back to normal especially since I found a source for the most delicious handmade Greek yogurt on earth. I hadn’t tried any new supplements since the last NeoCell supplements I tried more than 2 years ago. I’ve never had a problem with NeoCell supplements, and these were fine too. But I certainly understand your hesitation. I probably should have stopped all HA and collagen skincare products while taking this, but even doing that wouldn’t have been a “clean read” since my skin wasn’t dehydrated or excessively dry to begin with.
That sounds like a nice blend of ingredients!
Jen Mathews recently posted…Weekend Date at The Grove Los Angeles
I tried some skincare supplements a few years ago and they really did work but were very expensive so I couldn’t keep up. Now that I use HA on a regular basis, I’m not sure I would see a difference either.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Elizabeth Arden White Tea Eau de Toilette
Yes, that’s the problem. I didn’t want to completely stop using my other three topical HA serums, and even if I did stop using them, my skin is not dehydrated, thank goodness. Oh well. These cost about $18 or less per month with coupons. At about 50 cents/day, I may continue for another month or two as the weather gets harsher.
I need to try these. I want a supplement to help me stay more hydrated.
Phyrra recently posted…Best Ways to Apply Loose Eyeshadow
I tried a different NeoCell supplement a long time ago and really liked it. This has great ingredients especially the hyaluronic acid.
MarciaF recently posted…IT Cosmetics CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream (and my before and after selfie #ITCCchallenge)
I tried their liquid HA and liked it but I thought capsules were easier. I love their Biotin Bursts! They make great stuff!
I appreciate the disclaimer you wrote about your skin situation and use of other HA products.
Thanks, Kathryne. I probably should have stopped using my topical HA serums when I was testing the Ceramide Skin Hydrator, but even if I had done that, I am pretty sure my skin started from a more hydrated baseline than their research subjects since “scales” and “tightness” aren’t my problems, thank goodness.
Awesome post Allison, thank you! In fact, your tidbits of info in the comments sections was really helpful for me in particular. 🙂 I’m going to check out the Biotin Bursts that you mentioned. My skin is dryer and needs some help especially as well quickly reach freezing temps in this part of the world. So thank you for the great suggestions.
The Biotin Bursts are yummy too, Ann!
I love Neocell collagen products, they really do work well for me!
Anastasia recently posted…What to Buy at Sephora VIB Sale: Skincare Edit
When it comes to supplements, NeoCell definitely is a brand I trust.