What Is Squalane? About This Skincare Ingredient

When it comes to the skin care game, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choosing the right products for your skin care routine. And since using skin care products is essential for healthy-looking skin, it’s important to choose wisely. One ingredient found in skincare products you may have heard of is squalane. Known for the purported hydrating benefits it offers skin’s surface, it’s no surprise that skin care gurus are jumping on the squalane oil bandwagon. Keep reading to learn about the buzzy ingredient, including what squalane is and how to incorporate products formulated with it into your beauty routine.

WHAT IS SQUALANE?

Let’s cut to the chase—What is squalane? According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, squalane is a saturated form of squalene. No, that isn’t a typo—the names are only slightly different. See, squalene, emphasis on the 'e,' is naturally produced by the lipids of skin cells and is a component of human sebum. It also can be derived from both animal and plant sources. 

So, where does squalane come in, you ask? Squalane is formed when squalene undergoes a course of hydrogenation, in which double bonds are eliminated. In turn, squalane is less prone to oxidation than squalene, making it the more common ingredient found in skin care products like moisturizer. 

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF SQUALANE-INFUSED SKINCARE PRODUCTS

After learning that squalane is a derivative of human sebum, it isn’t hard to understand why it’s a popular ingredient in skin care formulas. Below are some of the known benefits of squalene, courtesy of the NCBI.

1. Skin hydration. Looking to provide your skin with hydration? Squalane can help make it happen. When squalane is mixed with triglycerides, cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids, it can improve transepidermal water loss, which is just what you need to achieve hydrated skin. As a result, the overall appearance of skin can be improved.  

2. Emollient. If you’re familiar with emollients, then you know that they help to hydrate skin and improve softness, flexibility, and smoothness. Per the NCBI, squalene is one of the most common lipids and is an excellent emollient to add to skincare products. Now that’s what we call a beneficial ingredient!

3. Antioxidant. According to the NCBI, squalene is said to have antioxidant properties that help to defend to protect skin’s surface. Known as a highly effective oxygen-scavenging agent, this ingredient comes in handy to help protect skin from the damaging effects of sun damage and free radicals. If you’re well versed on the topic of anti-aging, then you know that free radicals can cause age spots and premature signs of aging to become more prominent.

WHO SHOULD USE SQUALANE?

With knowledge of its benefits, you’re probably ready to test the waters and give squalane oil a try. The good news is since squalene is unlikely to irritate skin, per the International Journal of Toxicology, even those with sensitive skin can use it.

As we mentioned above, squalane is known to have emollient, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties. This means squalane can be a good addition to your skin care routine, whether you’re struggling to maintain hydration or you’re interested in elevating your anti-aging routine.

HOW TO INCORPORATE SQUALANE INTO YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Now that you have the lowdown on squalane oil, it’s only right that we share how you can add it to your skin care routine. Here are three tips to help you do just that. 

1. TRY A MOISTURIZER FORMULATED WITH SQUALANE

By now, you likely know the importance of moisturizing your skin. After all, who doesn’t want hydrated skin? Thanks to its hydrating properties, moisturizer with squalane is a great option, especially for those with mature skin. If you need a moisturizer that can make up for the natural decrease in moisture that comes with aging skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Moisturizer for Mature, Dull Skin. Formulated with squalane, imperial peony, and LHA, this formula helps to gently exfoliate dull, sallow skin and revive skin’s radiance.

Editor’s tip: Prefer a fragrance-free moisturizer formulated with squalane? The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Fragrance Free Face Moisturizer fits the bill. 

2. OPT FOR A FACE SERUM

While a moisturizer may be your first line of defense when it comes to tackling hydration, there are other options you can rely on. Case in point: face serums. Face serums are lightweight moisturizers that work to provide skin with a myriad of benefits. Go ahead and add a face serum formulated with squalane oil to your regimen—you can even layer it under your squalene-formulated moisturizer.

3. SHOW YOUR EYES SOME LOVE

Like it or not, the skin under your eyes is the most fragile and prone to showing signs of aging. For that reason, if you want to level up your skin care routine, an eye cream formulated with squalane is a great place to start.

Next: Now that you know all about squalane, why not move on to another trending skin care ingredient? Check out our article, Ingredient Call-Out: Grapeseed Oil for Skin, for all the details.