. . . AND THE BEST CREAMS TO PROVIDE IT

Vis Viva Retinyl + Frankincense Restorative Oil Serum £39, visvivaskincare. com A LIGHT ‘oil serum’ with cholesterol for improving barrier function.

Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore

£129.15, skinceuticals.co.uk NON -OILY cream, great for older skin, as it has double the ratio cholesterol to ceramides and fatty acids.

Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Omega Serum

£32, paulaschoice.co.uk PACKED with all the lipids you need: omega fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol. Really good for dry, rough skin.

Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum

£66 for 60 capsules, elizabetharden.co.uk WITH cholesterol, fatty acids and regenerating retinyl palmitate.