Ch
Cholesterol
CholesterolBarrier
One of the three core barrier lipids. Used in formulations that match the skin's natural 3:1:1 ratio.
What it does
Cholesterol is one of the three lipid classes (alongside ceramides and free fatty acids) that make up the skin's barrier matrix. The natural ratio is roughly 3 parts ceramide : 1 part cholesterol : 1 part fatty acid; products formulated near that ratio are the basis for most barrier-repair lines. On its own, cholesterol is rarely the headline; alongside ceramides and fatty acids, it's foundational.
The evidence, graded
strongThe skin's barrier is built from ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in a roughly 1:1:1 to 3:1:1 ratio. Moisturizers formulated to mimic that ratio support barrier repair more than any one lipid alone.Man 1996 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
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