What Is Squalane and How Does It Work?

Finding products to keep our skin happy and healthy is a job in and of itself, as it’s important to know what we put on our skin, where it comes from, and how it can help. Today, we will talk about squalane, including how it works and how it is sourced.

What Is Squalene?

Squalene is a liquid found naturally in animals and plants, including human sebum. It is one of the natural lipids your body produces to keep your skin protected and moisturized. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies make less squalene, making it a hot commodity in cosmetics. When ethically sourced, squalene is extracted from plants like olives, wheat germ oil, and rice bran. It is also a compound found in shark liver oils, but it is (clearly) not ethically sourced.

What Is Squalane?

Squalane is a derivative of squalene cultivated from the hydrogenation of squalene. Squalane isn’t prone to oxidizing and is used in cosmetic products. Essentially, squalene is derived from organisms; squalane is what you find in the bottle.

How Does Squalane Work?

Squalane is added to skincare products to moisturize the skin. Squalane is said to help trap and keep moisture from forming a barrier and may help manage sun damage. Research shows it has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and swelling and soothing skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

Some risks that come with squalane are allergic reactions. Before using products containing squalane, you should do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic. Some signs of allergy are redness, itching, and swelling.

Ethical Concerns

Because of the high demand for squalene to make beauty products, there is a strain on shark populations. Many of these sharks are slow-growing and mature later in life, making them vulnerable.

When shopping for products with squalane, look at the ingredients. If ingredients aren’t listed, or you are unsure, it’s best to contact the brand to ask where it sources its squalene. Look for phrases like –