Squalane Oil: Skin Care Benefits & Our Favorite Products
It's not often that a "new" ingredient comes along in the beauty market and completely envelops the space. Well, not too long ago, that's exactly what squalene and squalane oil did. Now, you can find these in a wide variety of products and at a wide range of price points. In a shockingly short amount of time, this ingredient went from buzzy to almost ubiquitous.
So why did the skin care industry fall so hard and so fast for it? Well, to put it bluntly: It's a really great ingredient with several high-impact benefits. Here, we explain.
What is squalane & squalene oil?
Let's revisit why I put quotes around "new." Squalene (notice the "e" in the middle versus the "a"—that small letter change is important, so be sure to pay attention to it throughout the article) and this is actually as old as humans are: It's found naturally in our skin's barrier. "Squalene is a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin. It plays a role in skin hydration and barrier protection," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. "Squalane is a cousin to squalene that can be produced in the lab from botanical sources. Squalane can give similar emollient benefits to its cousin squalene."
In the past, the oil was surrounded by a bit of controversy. This comes up because squalene oil was traditionally extracted from less-than-ethical sources. "Squalene was produced from the livers of sharks," says Zeichner. "Because of ethical and environmental issues, it is not commonly used anymore." And what came in its place is botanically derived squalane and squalene—like from olive oil, rice bran, and sugar cane—that is abundant in products today.
Squalane vs. squalene
So what makes these oils so different? It comes down to their molecular structure. Squalene is not hydrogenated and a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon, whereas squalane is hydrogenated. This means squalane has more stability when used on it's own; squalene can also have a long shelf-life, but it needs to be formulated with other stabilizing ingredients—not on its own.
A common misconception is that squalene can only be extracted from shark liver—however, much like it's cousin, it can be made from botanical sources too. So don't panic when you see that "e" in squalene on the ingredient list—it doesn't mean it's been extracted from animal sources.
Squalane oil skin benefits.
Clearly this is a coveted ingredient since the beauty industry has gone through such lengths to find a stable and ethically sourced variation. Why? "It's a fatty molecule that is highly versatile," says board-certified Rachel Nazarian, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.
- Protects the skin barrier: The primary benefit of the skin care ingredient comes from the primary goal it plays in the skin: It supports and enhances the skin barrier. "It is used as an emollient in skin care, which maintains the skin's moisture barrier and hydration," says Nazarian. Skin barrier health is one of the most important functions of skin, as it keeps moisture in (or stops transepidermal water loss, a phenomenon in which water literally evaporates from the skin) and blocks environmental irritants from getting in.
- Replenishes our natural supply as we age: Like many good things in our skin—collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and the like—we lose squalene as we age. So by incorporating its derivative, we are able to help replenish our barrier. "Again, it's something that our skin has normally and can benefit from as we get older," says Nazarian.
- More suitable for the face. As this version is less pore-clogging, and more suitable for a wider variety of skin types, it's more commonly used as a face oil or in facial products. We recommend looking for this type when targeting the delicate area.
Squalene oil skin benefits.
Naturally produced by your own pores, this oil is primarily used for barrier protection.
- Acts as an emollient and occlusive. While both versions are great at barrier protection, this version is more occlusive naturally—so it's able to to trap in hydration, and reduce transepidermal water loss. Because of this, it's also more suitable for dry patches and the body.
- Has some antioxidant properties: "It is also an antioxidant that has healthy-aging properties for neutralizing environmental damage," says Nazarian. Antioxidants are beloved in skin care as they help fight free radicals, manage oxidative stress, protect us from UV and pollution.
Who should and shouldn't use squalane or squalene oil?
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Those with weakened skin barriers will benefit from both. How do you know if that's you? Chronically dry, inflammation-prone skin is a dead giveaway that you suffer from a compromised skin barrier. So if your skin is easily irritated, sensitive to products and external aggressors, or you have inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, these oils are a great choice for you. Additionally, squalene is a great option for body products as its better for extra dry patches, like hands, elbows, and feet. So if you struggle with severe dryness in areas, we recommend looking for this in your body products.
However, it may not be great for people who have easily clogged pores. "Generally speaking, I do not recommend squalane for people who have acne-prone skin. It is a fully saturated fat and may cause breakouts in some people," says Zeichner.
The takeaway.
Squalane and squalene oils are a great skin care ingredient, as it's naturally found in your skin. It supports your skin barrier function, acts as an antioxidant, and can help replenish moisture as you age. Plus, the oil is found in a wide range of formulations, from serums and creams to body lotions.
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Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. She received her journalism degree from Marquette University, graduating first in the department. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.