Ohtaka® Ceramides: Plant-Based Barrier Boost for Skin Hydration
Overview
Ceramides are lipid molecules that make up the skin’s natural moisture barrier in the outer layer (stratum corneum). They are crucial for retaining water and keeping skin smooth and resilient. Ohtaka® Superfood Beauty Powder is a unique plant-based ceramide ingredient in Maeva’s Beauty Booster, derived from a fermented blend of 50+ fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This fermented superfood concentrate is naturally rich in Phyto-ceramides and other phytonutrients that have long been associated with healthy, youthful skin. By supplying dietary ceramides, Ohtaka® helps reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier from within, leading to improved hydration, reduced dryness, and protection against environmental stress.
Skin Hydration & Barrier Function
Oral ceramide supplements have shown promising results in human trials for enhancing skin moisture. In the skin, ceramides fill the spaces between cells like “mortar” between bricks, preventing trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and keeping the skin plump. As we age or face harsh climates, natural ceramide levels drop, contributing to dryness, roughness, and wrinkles. Supplementing with ceramides can counteract this. For example, a 60-day placebo-controlled study of wheat-derived ceramides (similar mechanism to Ohtaka®'s plant ceramides) found significant improvements in skin hydration (+increase in moisture), elasticity, and smoothness in the ceramide group, along with decreased wrinkle depth and roughness.
Subjects taking just ~1.7 mg/day of glucosylceramides saw measurable skin benefits versus placebo, with reduced TEWL (better barrier function) and softer, more elastic skin. These findings echo the traditional knowledge that ceramide-rich foods improve complexion. Ohtaka® leverages this by providing ceramides sourced from a wide array of plants, fermented for optimal absorption.
Clinical Evidence for Ceramides
In one randomized trial, oral rice ceramides taken for 12 weeks significantly increased skin hydration in the face and arm and improved skin elasticity compared to baseline. Another study on wheat polar lipids (rich in ceramides) demonstrated decreased skin roughness and increased collagen in subjects after supplementation.
A review of multiple trials concluded that oral ceramide extracts consistently improve skin moisture and reduce dryness in as little as 4–8 weeks. Ohtaka®’s ceramides, being naturally derived through fermentation, are expected to perform similarly. In fact, Ohtaka®’s manufacturer notes significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity and fewer fine lines in users of their ceramide-rich powder (as seen in their internal studies). It’s also noteworthy that ceramide supplements can help alleviate eczema and dry skin conditions by restoring barrier lipids, underscoring their role in skin health.
How Ohtaka® Works
Each scoop of Maeva’s Beauty Booster provides 50 mg of Ohtaka® powder, standardized to ≥1% ceramides (i.e. at least 0.5 mg of ceramides). Once ingested, Ohtaka®’s ceramides are absorbed in the gut (they survive digestion thanks to their lipid nature) and delivered via bloodstream to skin tissues. There, they integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum. This strengthens the skin barrier, reducing water loss and shielding against irritants.
In a representative trial, subjects taking ceramides had a significant decrease in skin dryness and itching compared to placebo, likely due to improved barrier integrity. Another benefit of oral ceramides noted in research is a reduction in UV-induced skin damage, one study found ceramide supplements lessened UV-driven hyperpigmentation and erythema, hinting at a photoprotective effect. While Maeva doesn’t make sunscreen, this suggests Ohtaka® ceramides contribute to overall skin resilience.
Synergy with Collagen and HA
The Beauty Booster smartly pairs ceramides (barrier support) with Replenwell collagen and hyaluronic acid (dermal matrix support). This one-two approach addresses both major aspects of skin aging: the collagen network in the dermis and the lipid barrier in the epidermis. Collagen and HA build firmness and hydration from deeper layers, while ceramides seal moisture at the surface. Research indicates this combination can be especially effective.
In a recent “inside-out” skincare trial, volunteers given both collagen peptides and ceramides showed greater improvement in skin moisture and wrinkle reduction than either alone. Users of Maeva’s Beauty Booster may notice that their skin not only feels softer and more hydrated (less flaky patches, even in dry weather) but also looks smoother and dewier, as the ceramides help skin retain the added moisture from collagen and HA. Over time, a fortified barrier also means fewer breakouts and reduced sensitivity, since a healthy stratum corneum protects against microbes and allergens.
Summary
In summary, Ohtaka® Superfood ceramides provide a science-backed boost to skin hydration and barrier function. By restoring essential lipids, Ohtaka® helps skin stay moisturized and supple. This plant-based ingredient, rooted in decades of Japanese fermentology, allows Maeva’s Beauty Booster to address the external facet of beauty (skin surface) in a natural, edible way. Together with collagen, Ohtaka® ceramides give a comprehensive, “glowing skin” solution validated by dermatological research.
