A sterol that forms part of the skin barrier lipid matrix and is used in moisturizing formulas.
Sources: 1No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Cholesterol
What it does
Can contribute to barrier-focused lipid mixtures; isolated cholesterol is not a complete barrier-repair formula.
Sources: 1Good for
- Barrier-focused moisturizers
- Dry skin
How to use it
Use a finished moisturizer designed for the intended skin needs. Do not assume that layering raw lipids recreates a clinically tested mixture.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Topical cosmetic cholesterol should not be confused with blood cholesterol management.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
- Ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids
Physiological lipid mixtures have been investigated for barrier-related performance.
Within a deliberately formulated lipid system; not a universal ratio or evidence that layering separate products recreates it.
Not yet ratedSources: 1
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Works within lipid structures together with ceramides and fatty acids.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
A barrier-focused formula can still sting or cause a reaction because of its full composition.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Lipid ratios and delivery matter. Experimental findings do not establish one ideal ratio for every person or product.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
cholesterol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 5997 | PubChem compound 5997: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C27H46O | PubChem compound 5997: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 386.7 g/mol | PubChem compound 5997: chemical identity |
| iupac name | (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | PubChem compound 5997: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- Optimization of physiological lipid mixtures for barrier repairexperimental barrier study · 1996
- PubChem compound 5997: chemical identitychemical identity
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