Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

Cholesterol

CAS 57-88-5 · Formula C27H46O · MW 386.7 g/mol

A natural sterol that stabilizes emulsions and serves as a versatile synthetic building block. It is used as an emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical and dermal preparations, as an emollient and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetics, and as a raw material for chemical syntheses.

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CAS Number
57-88-5
Formula
C27H46O
Molecular Weight
386.7 g/mol
Material Family
Specialty Additives
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Emolliency · Surfactancy
Solubility
0.095 mg/L (at 30 °C)
Functional Roles
CHOLESTEROL
LIGHT STABILIZERSKIN CONDITIONINGSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENTSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGVISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Emulsifier: Emulsifying agent for pharmaceutical and dermal preparations
  • Cosmetic emollient: Emollient and emulsion stabilizer in skin-care systems
  • Synthetic intermediate: Raw material for chemical and steroid syntheses
Physical Properties
Melting Point
148.5 °C
Boiling Point
360 °C
Density
1.067 @ 20 °C/4 °C
Solubility
0.095 mg/L (at 30 °C)
Vapor Pressure
VP: 0.171 mm Hg at 149 °C
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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Chemical Identity
CAS Number
57-88-5
Molecular Formula
C27H46O
Molecular Weight
386.7 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
INCI Name
CHOLESTEROL
PubChem CID
InChI Key
HVYWMOMLDIMFJA-DPAQBDIFSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
cholesterol Cholesterin Cholest-5-en-3beta-ol Cholesteryl alcohol Dythol Cordulan Dusoline Dusoran Cholesterine Cholestrin Cholestrol Hydrocerin Lidinite Kathro Lanol Super hartolan Lidinit Cholesterol base H Nimco cholesterol base H
Full Description

Cholesterol (CAS 57-88-5) is the principal sterol of higher animals. It is used as an emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical and dermal preparations, as an emollient and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetics, and as a raw material for chemical syntheses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cholesterol used for as a raw material?

As an industrial raw material, cholesterol (CAS 57-88-5) is used as an emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical and dermal preparations, as an emollient and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetics, and as a starting material for chemical and steroid syntheses. RawSource supplies it for these formulation and synthesis uses.

What is cholesterol made from?

Cholesterol is the principal sterol of higher animals and is the formula C27H46O. Commercial cholesterol is typically isolated from animal-derived sources such as wool grease (lanolin). Contact RawSource for the source and grade documentation of the material we supply.

Why is cholesterol used as an emulsifier in cosmetics?

Cholesterol is a lipophilic sterol that stabilizes oil-in-water and water-in-oil systems and functions as an emollient and emulsion stabilizer in skin-care formulations. These are its established cosmetic functions. Formulation levels are set by the formulator.

What grade and packaging is cholesterol available in?

RawSource supplies cholesterol as an industrial/formulation-grade raw material under HS code 290613. CoA, SDS, and source documentation are available on request. Specify your application and volume for the appropriate grade and packaging.

What is the cost of bulk cholesterol?

Bulk cholesterol pricing depends on grade, source, packaging, and volume. RawSource provides quotes for industrial quantities rather than a fixed list price. Request a bulk quote with your volume and grade requirements.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.