Cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of the major lipid classes naturally present in the skin barrier. In the stratum corneum it works alongside ceramides and free fatty acids to help create the tightly organized lipid structure that reduces excessive water loss.

In skincare it is usually included as part of a barrier-replenishing lipid system rather than marketed as a stand-alone active. Its value is therefore easiest to understand in the context of moisturizers designed to replace or support the skin's natural lipid mixture.