Why You Need to Put Cholesterol on Your Skin

Yes, cholesterol.

I was sitting in a room full of editors when I heard the word "cholesterol."

"Wait," I thought. "Aren't we talking about moisturizers?" FYI, we were, and Skinceuticals latest skin care innovation uses 4 percent of it to help restore your lipid concentration and your natural skin barrier — aka, the stuff that helps maintain your glow and keep the signs of aging away. Find out more about the latest lipid-centric launch and what it can do for your skin, below.

What It's Called:

Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Why You Care:

This moisturizer holds a 2:4:2 formula of lipids, including ceramides, the aforementioned cholesterol, and fatty acids. So why all these lipids? They are meant to help restore your natural lipid barrier, which decreases over time. The big deal there is that this barrier stops annoying skin issues from happening — think dullness, loss of fullness, and roughness.

While the clinical study was in women aged from 55 to 75, it can be beneficial for all women, regardless of your age. Hey, 20-somethings!

"You know, everyone uses a moisturizer. All the patients I see —18, 17, 30 — everyone uses a moisturizer, but a moisturizer is just a moisturizer. It just adds moisture to the skin. It really doesn't help repair the skin barrier. We all need to protect the skin barrier. Because as we age, if we optimize the skin barrier, we will make better, healthier skin cells. Our skin will look better and it will be healthier," explained dermatologist, Dr. Sherry Ingraham.

Is It For You?

While it was tested in women aged 55 to 75, it's not exclusive to that age range. Dr. Sherry Ingraham told us it can be used as a preventative measure.

When to Use It:

Morning and night.

What It Feels Like:

An incredibly light, gel-like moisturizer.

What the Experts Are Saying:

"I think it's a game-changing product because before we've been so focused on adding these exciting new ingredients to the skin — retinoids, antioxidants — which all have great benefits, but oftentimes, they disturb the skin barrier. And if your skin barrier is not intact and not functioning, the normal repair qualities of the skin are disturbed, and the skin just doesn't look as good. But also, all those ingredients that you're putting on the skin can't be as effective. It's kind of like not using the high octane gas in your car. You can put the best oil in your car, and you can put the all the best polish on your car, but if you don't put the best fuel in your car to maintain your car, the engine isn't going to function as optimally. So it's all about protecting the skin barrier," noted Dr. Ingraham.

What the Internet Is Saying:

#HowTo - Apply a small amount of Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 between fingertips, warm and melt the cream in circular motions. Apply twice daily to face, neck and chest. #LostAndRestored #TLR242 #SkinCeuticals

How Much Will It Set You Back?

The entire James Bond collection on iTunes or $125; bluemercury.com

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