Squalane Oil and Its Benefits to Skin and Hair

For those of us who like to follow all of the latest discoveries and trends in skincare, the appearance of squalane oil in lots of skin and hair formulations is likely to have piqued interest. With its unusual name that reminds some of a serious storm at sea, while also translating to part of the scientific name for sharks. And as odd as its name may sound, it seems to be included in almost everything these days.

What is Squalane?

So, just what is squalane? First and foremost, it is not to be confused with squalene. As the experts at Self noted, squalane is a “hydrogenated version of squalene,” which is something naturally produced in the body’s sebaceous glands. Why hydrogenate something our bodies produce on their own? To make squalene shelf-stable, the hydrogenation process is used and allows it to become squalene and an ingredient that can be added to a long list of products.

That takes care of the most common question relating to squalane, i.e., what’s the difference between it and squalene? Yet, it doesn’t quite explain its overall purpose. For that, we need to look at squalene again, briefly.

The Purpose of Squalene

The body’s sebaceous glands produce a substance known as sebum. This is an oily, waxy material that protects the outermost layer of our skin. It keeps the skin moist and hydrated and ensures that it can function well as a protective barrier against germs and other invaders. Squalene is one of the main compounds in sebum (along with triglycerides or fats and wax esters).

If you were to hold squalene in your fingers, it would not feel very greasy. Instead, its natural properties only go to work when it fits between the skin cells of the body. Apply it directly to the face, for example, and squalene’s natural emollient properties make skin feel smoother immediately. This is why it is both protective and an excellent lightweight, moisturizing ingredient.

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Where is Squalane From?

Squalane, as we learned, is a hydrogenated form of squalene. Many of us wonder just where it comes from, and that is a good thing to ponder because you do want to ensure you purchase squalane that is sourced ethically. After all, it gets its name because of its original source – shark’s livers. This was an unsustainable practice that many countries have outlawed. Today, almost all squalane products are made from vegetable oils, especially olives, sugarcane and rice bran. When purchasing anything with squalane as an ingredient, ensure that it is plant-based to ensure no sharks were harmed in the creation of the formula.

Is Squalane Okay for Every Skin Type?

One question that appears all over the place is whether or not squalane is an ingredient for everyone. As one skin expert explained, squalane is non-comedogenic (meaning that it is unlikely to clog pores and cause pimples or breakouts). This makes it “useful for balancing sebum production and minimizing congestion in oily or acne-prone skin types.”

Yet, that same expert warned that we shouldn’t assume that it is an ingredient only suited to those who have problems with oily or easily irritated skin. Instead, they say that botanically sourced squalane is likely to be something “enjoyed by the masses,” and something that can be used liberally thanks to its gentler nature.

Thus, as the active ingredient in a moisturizing agent in skin and hair care products, it can be good for anyone. However, the experts also say that it should not be used as a replacement product or ingredient when something else does a better job. For example, it does not include any antioxidants, which means those who are seeking to repair or prevent oxidative damages may want to use something different – like a carrot seed or jojoba oil product.

On the upside, squalane is noted as working well with many other ingredients, complementing or being complemented by the presence of many different agents. For instance, it is a relatively weightless compound that helps to seal moisture in skin cells. It also blends well with fellow hydrating agents, extracts and oils, helping to deliver their benefits, too.

On the other hand, it is an emollient, and that means it might block the quick absorption of certain ingredients or formulas, which could counteract something like a fast-acting moisturizer.

Related: The Complete Guide to Acne

The Many Benefits of Squalane Oil

So, we have learned that it is an emollient with broad applicability. It is, as the medical professionals at Healthline explained, a good mimic and is nearly identical to the “skin’s natural oils.” It is also good at protecting the skin against carcinogens and supports better skin as we age.

The human body does not maintain sebum production at the same levels throughout life. As we age, so too does the production of beneficial compounds like squalene. In fact, “peak” production is thought to occur at around ages 20-30. Thus, we might see those first signs of fine lines and wrinkles as we enter into our mid-30s.

Thus, hydrogenated squalene (squalane) becomes our aging skin’s new best friend. It is a good idea, however, to have a very clear list of the actual benefits of squalane in order to know whether or not it will be of benefit to your skincare regimen. The proven benefits of adding it to your routine include:

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• Improves skin health – Hydrated skin is always going to be healthier skin, and so the presence of squalane automatically means healthier skin
• Protection – Squalane is a good anti-aging compound as it can fight free radicals and skin damage that only worsen premature skin aging
• Detoxifying – Squalane can boost natural collagen production, which while it helps improve skin tone also leads to firmer, more youthful and vibrant skin
• Anti-inflammatory – Those with acne and eczema may balk at the idea of applying oil to their frequently irritated skin, but squalane is a natural anti-inflammatory, ensuring that it reduces redness and risks of further breakouts
• Circulatory – Squalane is known to help improve blood circulation (which boosts collagen production), but which also gives the skin a plumper, more moisturized, and glowing appearance
• Balancing – As a compound capable of regulating natural oil production, it is difficult to find something as effective as squalane
• Boosting – When you use a squalane formula, it is noted for improving the performance of other active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, for example, is going to bring even more moisture into the skin if it is applied alongside or in a combination formula with squalane. Hyaluronic acid is a natural acid that draws water into the skin, often at hundreds of times the weight of the acid itself, ensuring dewy, hydrated skin.
• Anti-bacterial – Whether you have acne that is cued by clogged pores and ongoing battles with bacteria on the skin, or you just want to enjoy blemishes that appear due to unwelcome materials on the skin, squalane’s natural anti-bacterial properties can help immensely.

Who Benefits From Squalane Oil?

By now, you can see that almost anyone is going to benefit from the addition of squalane oil to their skincare routine. We discourage you from rushing to the conclusion that you should think of it strictly as an anti-aging serum, though. It is also frequently used as part of a moisturizing formula, as a toning product, and even as an ingredient in sunblock.

It is also used widely in many other formulas, including those for the hair, nails, and skin prone to certain conditions. For example, you will find that you can use squalene-containing products for:

Hair – Age, weather, and heat damage can harm the health of human hair. A squalene formula applied to the hair can often restore a healthier shine, fortify against breakage, and make it look and feel better.

Nails – For those with perpetually dry cuticles, squalane may become a lifesaver. It is far more effective than classic cuticle oil for many uses because it doesn’t leave the nails with a coating of oil or a sticky, tacky feel.

Eye and lip areas – As a targeted solution to intense undereye dryness (or even delicate, papery skin), squalane is a real performer. It is non-irritating and helps address the unwelcome look of crepey skin. It is also far better at healing severely chapped lips better than almost any commercial lip balm.

Acne – Whether someone has very oily skin or oily AND acne-prone skin, squalane formulas can actually help keep the sebum production more balanced. Again, as the team at Healthline noted, squalane-based treatments are ideal “if other oils are too heavy or greasy for your skin…It does penetrate pores and improve skin at the cellular level, but it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin….[and] has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling.”

Eczema – The inflammatory nature of eczema and psoriasis (as well as acne, dermatitis and rosacea) make squalene a great option for regular skincare. Even if you use a squalane formula simply to improve moisture levels, it will address the main concern with these conditions – dry and itchy skin. Keeping irritated skin moisturized can also reduce the risks of future flare-ups of such conditions.

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Are There Any Risks When Using Squalane Formulas?

Naturally, there is always the risk of an allergic reaction, especially if it is a non-ethically sourced formula made from shark livers. It is best to pay sharp attention to the sourcing information and find out just where it came from. After all, you may have an allergy to one of the plant sources and react to that, too.

And just as you would with any new skincare product, run a small test application. We’d always recommend an area that has higher sensitivity, such as the inside of the arm. Apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) and wait for a few hours. If any swelling, discoloration or discomfort appears, you may be allergic or too sensitive to the ingredients.

How to Use Squalane Oil

Now that you know as much about squalane as you need to know, you are probably wondering just how to begin using it in your skincare (or haircare) routine. These are our simple suggestions:

Identify premium manufacturers – We may be reiterating this issue repeatedly, but it is incredibly important. Be sure you are using a plant-based formula. Not only is it sustainable and eco-friendly, it is far more ethical and less likely to cause any sort of irritation or reaction (though you must always do that simple testing for allergies as advised a bit earlier)

Create a routine – Do you have a pre-existing skincare routine? If not, we encourage you to begin using a gentle exfoliating treatment, a cleanser suited to your skin type, a toning formula, serums ideal to your skin’s needs, and an SPF formula. You should also have an evening skincare solution that you finish with a deeply hydrating night formula. Then, start looking for any products in that routine that can incorporate squalane at any point along the way.

Related: Exfoliation 101: What It Is, Why to Do It, and Top Exfoliation Tips for Success

Address any conditions – If you have a specific issue with your skin (i.e., psoriasis, eczema, or acne), look for a serum or other solution that includes a high-quality squalane ingredient. You can also use squalane formulas on targeted areas like the eye or even the skin of the body.

Layer – Though experts all have different opinions about the best ways to use squalane oil products, most agree that it is always going to be helpful as a partner to other products. For example, one expert explained that you can “layer it on top of a face mist or humectant serum, but underneath a heavier cream.” It is not like a traditional beauty oil and is never going to block other ingredients from getting through, so it can often be used at any point in the regimen.

The good news about squalane oil products is that they are appearing with more and more frequency. It takes only a few drops of pure oil (usually from one to three) to make a difference and offer effective protection, and it is a proven remedy to many issues affecting almost everyone.

More Great Resources on Squalane Oil:

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SQUALANE OIL FOR WRINKLED SKIN?

Hydrating and Moisturizing Aren’t the Same for Your Skin — Here’s Why

How to Use Trilane With Squalane as a Hair Treatment