Cholesterol
A cosmetic ingredient used as light stabilizer, skin conditioning, skin conditioning - emollient in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
What does it do?
Cholesterol is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
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Light stabilizer
protects a cosmetic formulation from degradation by UV light, extending its shelf life
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Skin conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and condition of skin
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Skin conditioning - emollient
softens the skin by reducing roughness and friction between skin cells
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Surfactant - emulsifying
surfactant that forms and stabilises emulsions of oil and water — without it, creams and lotions would separate
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Viscosity controlling
adjusts the thickness or flow of a formulation
EU regulatory status
Cholesterol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
Is Cholesterol allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Cholesterol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Cholesterol do in cosmetic products?
Cholesterol is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: light stabilizer, skin conditioning, skin conditioning - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying, viscosity controlling.
What is the CAS number of Cholesterol?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Cholesterol is 57-88-5.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010