SQUALANE
Squalane is a saturated oily substance made by hydrogenating squalene. That conversion makes it more resistant to oxidation than squalene, a difference that helps explain its place in creams, serums and facial oils designed around texture.
SQUALANE: what it is
Squalane is a saturated oily substance made by hydrogenating squalene. That conversion makes it more resistant to oxidation than squalene, a difference that helps explain its place in creams, serums and facial oils designed around texture.
The name alone does not identify the feedstock. Traceability research distinguishes olive-oil squalane from shark-derived material, and a recent process study recovered squalene from olive-production streams before hydrogenating it to squalane. The ingredient name on a product therefore cannot establish that product's source material.
SQUALANE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, squalane works as an emollient and conditioning ingredient: it helps the oil phase leave skin feeling softer and less rough. In hair products, its conditioning and refatting roles can support a more lubricated feel along the lengths, without amounting to treatment of the hair.
Formulation research also uses squalane as an oil carrier. A recent study of ultraviolet-exposed human dermal fibroblasts reported cellular effects in a laboratory model; that result cannot prove wrinkle prevention, wound healing or skin treatment from a cosmetic product containing squalane.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
