INCI
Cosmetic ingredient

SQUALENE

Squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in humans, plants, and other organisms. It is also part of sebum, the oily mixture made by the skin's sebaceous glands. That natural presence helps place the ingredient in context, but it does not mean that a product containing squalene recreates the skin's own sebum.

INCISQ1 products
CAS number
111-02-4/7683-64-9
EC number
203-826-1/-
Chemical name
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene

SQUALENE: what it is

Squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in humans, plants, and other organisms. It is also part of sebum, the oily mixture made by the skin's sebaceous glands. That natural presence helps place the ingredient in context, but it does not mean that a product containing squalene recreates the skin's own sebum.

Its raw material may come from plant oils or fish oils. For that reason, the name SQUALENE on its own does not reveal the source used in a particular cosmetic; that information depends on the manufacturer's documentation. It is also different from squalane: squalene retains double bonds and therefore has different chemical behaviour.

SQUALENE: what it does in cosmetics

In cosmetics, squalene can work as an emollient, contributing to a less rough, softer feel on the skin through the oil phase of a formula. In hair products, conditioning is intended to improve how the hair feels and reduce a dry-looking finish. Its solvent role can also help incorporate ingredients that dissolve more readily in oil.

A review of human sebum lists squalene among its components, and pollution research tracks its oxidation at the skin surface. This gives useful scientific context for the molecule, but it does not show that isolated squalene in every cream treats acne, dark spots, wounds, or other skin conditions.

SQUALENE: conditions and care

In the European Union, squalene and derived ingredients cannot be obtained from animal materials classified as Category 1 or Category 2. This requirement concerns the raw-material source and supplier documentation, not an effect felt when the cosmetic is applied.

Use limits

Restrictions and conditions of use

Cosmetic restriction
Please consider whether entry 419 of Annex II to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 is applicable. According to entry 419, category 1 material and Category 2 material as defined in Articles 4 and 5 respectively of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, and ingredients derived therefrom are prohibited in cosmetics products. Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 has been repealed and replaced by Regulation No. 1069/2009. For Category 1 and 2 materials in Regulation No. 1069/2009, please see Article 8 and 9, respectively.
Catalogue presence

Products containing this ingredient

See which products include it and the name used in each composition.