Cholesterol in Skincare: Essential for Barrier Repair and Hydration

Cholesterol in skin care

Cholesterol is one of the many types of lipids that make up the skin barrier. (4)

In addition to ceramides and free fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acids, cholesterol is essential for a healthy skin barrier and must be in barrier repair moisturizers for them to be effective.

Cholesterol lowering drugs like statins can hurt the skin barrier by decreasing cholesterol levels. Repairing the skin barrier is essential to keeping moisture on the skin (preventing trans-epidermal water loss), as well as keeping various bacteria(11) and allergens and irritants out of the skin.

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What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a naturally occurring carbon rich lipid found in animal cells and blood. In terms of skin care, its primary function is as a core component of the skin barrier.

Your cell membranes are mostly composed of various lipids; depending on your skin type, between one quarter and one half are cholesterol. (1,6)

The outermost layer of your skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is composed of various types of lipids including cholesterol that must be present in specific balances to keep it healthy. (2)

Studies have found that formation of the skin barrier would be impossible without cholesterol. (2)

For skin care formulations, it often serves as an emulsifier because it does not combine with water. (10)

Cholesterol is not a saturated or unsaturated fat; it is a different form of lipid entirely.

Natural cholesterol is derived from animals, it is does not occur in plant life.

Benefits in skin care

Products containing cholesterol can result in a rich, dewy feel on the skin that indicates significant barrier hydration.

When used alongside ceramides and free fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, oleic, or others, cholesterol repairs skin barriers damaged by trans-epidermal water loss or other causes of dryness.

A healthy skin barrier is better at keeping out allergens. irritants, and acne-causing and other bacteria.

Well hydrated skin is less likely to absorb water soluble ingredients like sugars (which cause glycation that leads to wrinkles).

The best moisturizers for dry skin must contain cholesterol or the vegan equivalent beta sitosterol.

Side-effects

The primary concern associated with using cholesterol in skin care products is that altering your skin’s lipid proportions from the necessary ratio of 1:1:1 fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides.

Products that contain just cholesterol without ceramides or free fatty acids are not recommended for eczematic or otherwise impaired skin barriers because they injure the skin barrier when the artio is off. (11)

As long as you stay mindful of using all three of the main lipid groups needed for barrier function, there are no real concerns associated with using cholesterol in skin care. How to know if a moisturizer has the correct ratio? It requires a cross polarized microscope to see if a maltese cross pattern is present.

Is it safe?

Cholesterol is a safe addition to many types of moisturizers and other types of skin care products.

It does not raise your serum cholesterol levels when used topically so it is safe to use even if you have high cholesterol.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel conducted a study on the safety of cholesterol in cosmetics, and deems it safe for use. The only risk associated with using cholesterol in skin care products is that it might throw off the composition ratio of your skin’s lipid matrix when not used in combination with ceramides and free fatty acids. (10)

The EWG rates it as a 1 (safe).

Be sure your barrier repair moisturizers contain all three: ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol, for maximum effectiveness.

Is it a clean ingredient?

Cholesterol is animal derived so is not considered clean in many of the clean standards,

Beta sitosterol can be used as a substitute for cholesterol if you want a clean form.

Cholesterol in skin creams for dry skin

If you have a damaged skin barrier as a result of dry skin concerns, cholesterol is a crucial component of moisturizers designed for dryness and skin barrier repair.

People with severe eczema should use moisturizers with an equal ratio of ceramides and fatty acids than cholesterol.

If you have dry skin, make sure your moisturizers include all three of the above mentioned types of lipids that are essential for lasting hydration.

Look for cholesterol or beta sitosterol on the product labels.

Barrier repair moisturizers

Cholesterol is one of the three primary lipid components of the skin barrier, so it is essential in barrier repair moisturizers.

That being said, cholesterol alone is not suitable for repairing the skin barrier. It has to be used in combination with ceramides and free fatty acids.

Occlusive ingredients are also commonly found in barrier repair moisturizers because they actively prevent water loss from the skin while cholesterol and other lipids hydrate it.

Oils and cholesterol are an example of occlusive ingredients.

Isolated use of either fatty acids, ceramides, or cholesterol can throw off your skin’s lipid proportions; this itself can result in damage to the skin barrier. (11)

What is xanthelasma?

Including cholesterol in your skin care regimen does not increase the chance of developing xanthelasma.

Xanthelasma is a skin condition that presents as deposits of yellowish cholesterol patches just beneath the surface of the skin. (9)

Xanthelasma can gain severity over time, but can be treated with cryotherapies, various lasers, and basic surgical removal.

Based on your skin tone, the scars that would be caused by removing xanthelasma can be more noticeable than the condition itself.

The condition is medically harmless, and does not indicate any further health risks. If you have or think you might be developing xanthelasma, talk to your dermatologist about what treatment strategies are best for you.

Vegan cholesterol options

Plants do not produce cholesterol, so instead synthetic cholesterol is often used in barrier repair moisturizers.

Synthetic cholesterol is vegan. Beta-sitosterol. is an example of a vega form of cholsterol in skin care. Some products contain both cholesterol and beta-sitosterol.

If you want to make sure your barrier repair moisturizer is vegan, make sure it is listed to contain beta-sitosterol in place of cholesterol.

Products

Tons of products contain cholesterol. You can check out our full collection with this link!

Make sure to find your Baumann Skin Type to get only the best products for your skin.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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