Cholesterol
Also known as Cholesterol, 5-Cholesten-3beta-ol, Cholest-5-en-3beta-ol
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Cholesterol (CAS 57-88-5) is an endogenous stratum corneum lipid that, along with ceramides and free fatty acids in approximately equimolar concentrations, forms the ordered lamellar structures essential for skin barrier integrity and water-retention function (Coderch et al. 2003, PMID 12553851). Topical application of cholesterol-dominant lipid mixtures (3:1:1:1 ratio) significantly accelerates barrier recovery in aged skin compared to equimolar ratios, demonstrating its therapeutic value as a skin-conditioning emollient (Zettersten et al. 1997, PMID 9308554). The CIR Expert Panel assessed cholesterol as safe for cosmetic use in its original 1986 report (JACT 5(5):491-516), with a confirmed re-review in 2006 (IJT 25(S2)) maintaining the safe finding without qualification or concentration limits.
Essential endogenous stratum corneum lipid; replenishes cholesterol lost through barrier disruption, aging, or disease
Cholesterol-dominant topical lipid mixtures accelerate barrier recovery in aged skin more effectively than equimolar ratios (Zettersten et al. 1997)
Works synergistically with ceramides and free fatty acids to form lamellar bilayer structures critical for the skin's water permeability barrier (Coderch et al. 2003)
Disrupted cholesterol organization is implicated in barrier impairment conditions such as lamellar ichthyosis, supporting its therapeutic relevance (Lavrijsen et al. 1995)
- · No primary safety concerns identified at cosmetically relevant concentrations; the CIR finding is unqualified (S, not SQ), with no concentration limit set
- · Cholesterol is derived from animal (typically wool grease/lanolin) sources; no toxicological concern but relevant for vegan/vegetarian consumers
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — Cholesterol row: Finding=S, Citation=JACT 5(5):491-516, 1986 confirmed 12/04 IJT 2…
“Cholesterol | S | | JACT 5(5):491-516, 1986 confirmed 12/04 IJT 25(S2), 2006”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 26