A lipid found in the skin barrier, used in barrier-repair formulas.
What it is
Cholesterol is one of the main lipids between the cells of the outer skin layer, together with ceramides and fatty acids. Cosmetic cholesterol is obtained from lanolin or plants or made synthetically.
Where it is used
Found in barrier creams, often together with ceramides and fatty acids.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The ratio of barrier lipids is often discussed in marketing, but the INCI list does not show amounts or ratios.
Functions
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
- Light stabilizer
- Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.
Products with this ingredient (363)
- Vaseline Pro Derma Ultra Moisturizing Body cream · Unilever
- Revolution Pro Miracle Night Rescue Serum Advanced Complex · Revolution
- Revolution Skin Bouncy Barrier Ceramide & Peptide Soothing Serum · Revolution
- Radiant Youth Day Cream SPF30 · Lumene
- Eye Cream · Lumene
- Radiant Youth Night Cream · Lumene
- Blueberry Sensitive Mascara · Lumene
- Blueberry Sensitive Volume Mascara · Lumene
- Weightless Serum · Lumene
- Rich Eye Cream · Lumene
- Weightless Moisturizer · Lumene
- Rich Day Cream · Lumene