Barrier Lipid
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that help condition skin and support its lipid barrier.
Key Benefits
- Conditions and softens skin
- Supports surface-lipid comfort
- Helps improve flexibility of dry skin
- Complements ceramides and plant oils
- Promotes smoother, more supple texture
How It Works
Ingredient Details
INCI Name: Phytosterols
Ingredient Type: Lipid
Best For
Dry or rough skin · Barrier-focused routines · Mature skin · Rich facial and body moisturizers
What It Is
What It Does
Phytosterols FAQs
Common questions about this ingredient in skincare.
What are Phytosterols?
They are plant-derived sterols, including beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, used as emollient and conditioning lipids.
Are Phytosterols the same as cholesterol?
No. They share a similar sterol-ring structure but have different side chains. Cholesterol is also naturally present in the human skin barrier.
What do they do for skin?
They help soften and condition dry skin and can complement ceramides, fatty acids and oils in barrier-supportive formulas.
Are they suitable for oily skin?
They can be used in lightweight or rich products. Suitability for oily or congestion-prone skin depends more on the complete formula than on Phytosterols alone.
Are Phytosterols vegan?
They are plant-derived, but vegan status of the finished product depends on all ingredients and manufacturing practices.
Is the research clinical?
Evidence includes ex vivo and cell studies, but direct controlled human evidence for generic topical Phytosterols alone remains limited.
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Products Featuring Phytosterols
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