emollient · emulsifier
Cholesterol
Generally safe·Strong evidence
A waxy sterol found naturally in skin and used in cosmetics as an emollient and emulsifier. It supports the skin barrier and is well tolerated across skin types.
Questions
- Why is cholesterol in my skincare?
- Cholesterol is a lipid that's part of the skin's natural barrier. Adding it to products can help strengthen that barrier and reduce moisture loss.
- Is cholesterol in skincare safe?
- The cholesterol used in cosmetics comes from plant or animal sources and is safe for topical use. Published reviews show no concern about absorbing cholesterol through the skin.
Products with Cholesterol
- 100IlliyoonCeramide Ato Concentrate Cream
- 100PuritoDaily Soft Touch Sunscreen
- 100CeraVeFoaming Facial Cleanser
- 100CelimaxDual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
- 100SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream
- 100CeraVeHealing Ointment
- 100Summer FridaysJet Lag Mask
- 100Peter Thomas RothWater Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
- 100CurelDeep Moisture Spray
- 100Tower28SOS FaceGuard
- 100CeraVeDaily Moisturizing Lotion
- 100CeraVeHydrating Cleanser Bar
- 100CliniqueAll About Eyes Eye Cream with Vitamin C
- 100Tower28SOS FaceGuard SPF 30
- 100The Jojoba CompanyHydrating Peptide Day Cream
- 100Dr.AlvaCopper Peptide Professional Anti-Aging Serum
- 100up&upDaily Moisturizing Lotion
- 100Up & UpMoisturizer with Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
- 100WalgreensAdvanced Moisturizing Cream
- 100CeraVeFoaming Face Wash
- 99Beauty of JoseonRevive Eye Serum
- 99CeraVeEye Repair Cream
- 99Youth to the PeopleRetinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
- 99TorridenDIVE IN Serum
- 99MedicubeUltra Light PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- 99NumbuzinNo.9 NAD+ BIO Lifting-sil Essence
- 99EquateBeauty Hydrating Cleanser
- 98CeraVeHydrating Facial Toner
- 98Up & UpSalicylic Acid Acne Wash
- 97BYOMAHydrating Serum
- 97CeraVeResurfacing Retinol Serum
- 97CliniqueEven Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum
- 97CeraVeSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- 97PacificaVegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash
- 97Triple PasteDiaper Rash Cream
- 97RovectinRetinosine Deep Intense Serum
- 97Paula's ChoiceOmega+ Complex Moisturizer
- 97CliniqueAll About Eyes Rich Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid
- 97ProyaAdvanced Original Essence Repair Serum
- 97CeraVeEczema Relief Moisturizing Cream
- 97SkinfixEczema+ Pre-Biotic Foaming Oil Cleanser
- 97IsntreeHyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum
- 97CeraVeUltra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
- 96CeraVeRenewing SA Cleanser
- 96CeraVeHydrating 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Face SPF 50
- 96Drunk ElephantLala Retro Whipped Cream
- 96Some By MiSnail Truecica Miracle Repair Cream
- 96InnisfreeRetinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum
- 96Augustinus BaderThe Cream
- 96Real BarrierCicarelief Serum
- 96EucerinRoughness Relief Cream
- 96Saturday SkinYuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask
- 96Up & UpBenzoyl Peroxide Acne Wash
- 96EquateBeauty Moisturizing Lotion
- 95AnuaRice 70 Glow Milky Toner
- 94NecessaireThe Body Wash Barrier Complex Fragrance-Free
- 94CeraVeAcne Foaming Cream Cleanser
- 94CeraVeItch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
- 94MisshaTime Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X
- 94Hero CosmeticsGentle Milky Cleanser
- 94CurelItch Defense Lotion
- 94EquateBeauty Foaming Facial Cleanser
- 93CeraVeHydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
- 93CeraVeFacial Moisturizing Lotion AM Lightweight SPF 50
- 93CliniqueAll About Eyes Rich
- 92CeraVeSA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
- 92CocokindCeramide Barrier Serum (Travel Size)
- 91CeraVeAcne Control Gel
- 90BYOMACreamy Jelly Cleanser
- 90AvoskinYour Skin Bae Ceramide LC S-20 1% + Mugwort + Cica Toner
- 89Kate SomervilleDeliKate Recovery Serum
- 89DermaticaClarifying Azelaic Acid 20% Cream
- 89CVS HealthAM Moisturizing Facial Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
- 88LaneigeWater Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer with Squalane
- 88SkinfoodBlack Sugar Perfect Cleansing Oil
- 86Lab SeriesAll-In-One Defense Lotion Moisturizer SPF 35
- 85SNAILWHITESnail Secretion Filtrate Moisture Facial Cream
- 85CeraVeAM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50
- 84TrulyHydra-Restore Body Lotion
- 84Dr Dennis GrossDermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
- 84EucerinAdvanced Repair Cream
- 83ProcsinVitamin C Serum
- 82Dr.JartCeramidin Cream
- 82IOPESuper Vital Softener
- 82Tom FordLip Color Matte Lipstick - 10 Cherry Lush
- 81WalgreensAll-Purpose Psoriasis Wash
- 80e.l.f.Holy Hydration Sleeping Mask
- 78SnailwhiteCC Cream SPF 50
- 74BelifThe True Cream Aqua Bomb
- 72LaneigeBouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask
- 68StriVectinHydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- 61Y.O.U.6% Acid Renewal Peeling Serum
- 60SooryehanHyobidam Fermented Cream
- 53SesdermaAcglicolic Facial Serum
- 52The History of WhooGongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Essence
- 50Pond'sRejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.