barrier lipid

Cholesterol

Evidencemoderate · Tier 2Irritation riskVery lowIn products800

Concerns it helps

ConcernStrengthStudiesWhat the research says
DrynessStrong2Using cyanoacrylate stripping and thin-layer chromatography in 47 atopic dermatitis patients versus 20 healthy controls, atopic skin showed reduced total ceramides (especially ceramide 1) relative to its cholesterol…

No known conflictsCholesterol isn’t flagged against any concern or skin condition.

Strength reflects the ingredient’s effect on each concern; study counts match research whose findings relate to that concern.

The research

Cholesterol is a barrier lipid backed by a moderate body of supporting evidence (evidence tier 2 of 4). We track 2 studies for it.

Read the research — 2 studies

Acta Dermato-Venereologica · 1998 · observational · n=67

Using cyanoacrylate stripping and thin-layer chromatography in 47 atopic dermatitis patients versus 20 healthy controls, atopic skin showed reduced total ceramides (especially ceramide 1) relative to its cholesterol content, linking altered stratum-corneum ceramide/cholesterol lipid composition to impaired barrier function and dryness.

Journal of Dermatological Science · 2015 · observational

Comparing normal, atopic-dermatitis lesional and non-lesional skin, the study measured stratum-corneum ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol and related the ceramide-to-cholesterol and free-fatty-acid-to-cholesterol ratios to barrier function (transepidermal water loss), underscoring cholesterol's role within the stratum-corneum barrier-lipid balance.

Products with Cholesterol

In 800 products — most often moisturizers (313), serums (242), cleansers (61), from $3.20 to $476.25. Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.

10 of 24
Saturday Skin

Saturday Skin

Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel Exfoliator

Exfoliant

$19.6073.9ml · $0.27/ml

★★★★★4.9(790)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongUneven tone & radiance
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles
  • RelevantDark spots & hyperpigmentation

Not recommended for

Atopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPsoriasisMelasma

Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel Exfoliator is a exfoliant by Saturday Skin. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat.

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Nip + Fab

Nip + Fab

NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Base Build Moisture Milk 8% 125ml

Moisturizer

$38.04125ml · $0.30/ml

★★★★★4.8(701)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • RelevantRedness & sensitivity
  • RelevantDark spots & hyperpigmentation
  • RelevantUneven tone & radiance

NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Base Build Moisture Milk 8% 125ml is a barrier moisturiser by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethicone.

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Nip + Fab

Nip + Fab

NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Serum 12% 50ml

Serum

$37.0850ml · $0.74/ml

★★★★★4.8(578)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongRedness & sensitivity
  • StrongDark spots & hyperpigmentation
  • StrongUneven tone & radiance

NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Serum 12% 50ml is a brightening serum by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin.

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Kate Somerville

Kate Somerville

DeliKate Recovery Cream - 1.7 oz

Moisturizer

$84.0050.3ml · $1.67/ml

★★★★★4.8(730)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles

Not recommended for

Seborrheic Dermatitis
Kate Somerville

Kate Somerville

DeliKate Recovery Serum

Serum

$99.0029.6ml · $3.35/ml

★★★★★4.8(946)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles

DeliKate Recovery Serum is a antioxidant serum by Kate Somerville. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol.

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Bubble

Bubble

Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum

Serum

$17.0029.6ml · $0.57/ml

★★★★★4.8(6,000)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • ExcellentDark spots & hyperpigmentation
  • ExcellentPost-acne marks
  • StrongRedness & sensitivity

Not recommended for

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum is a brightening serum by Bubble. Key ingredients include Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin.

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StriVectin

StriVectin

Multi-Action Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Serum

$69.0029.6ml · $2.33/ml

★★★★★4.8(576)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongRedness & sensitivity
  • RelevantFine lines & wrinkles

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisRosacea
RODAN + FIELDS

RODAN + FIELDS

Active Hydration Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid

Serum

$110.0029.6ml · $3.72/ml

★★★★★4.8(26,962)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • ExcellentFine lines & wrinkles
  • StrongUneven texture
  • RelevantDark spots & hyperpigmentation

Not recommended for

Atopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPsoriasisMelasmaSeborrheic DermatitisPerioral Dermatitis

Active Hydration Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid is a exfoliant by RODAN + FIELDS. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid.

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Bubble

Bubble

Cosmic Silk Hydrating Milky Toner

Cleanser

$16.00100.5ml · $0.16/ml

★★★★★4.8(2,546)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongRedness & sensitivity
  • RelevantFine lines & wrinkles

Not recommended for

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Cosmic Silk Hydrating Milky Toner is a water cleanser by Bubble. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Linoleic Acid.

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RoC

RoC

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream Moisturizer

Moisturizer

$37.9950.3ml · $0.76/ml

★★★★★4.8(1,308)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles
  • StrongRedness & sensitivity
  • RelevantUneven texture

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaPsoriasis

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream Moisturizer is a retinoid treatment by RoC. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE.

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Educational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.