Squalene

TYPE OF INGREDIENT​
Emollient
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Moisturizers, facial oils and hair serums

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SQUALENE?

As an emollient, squalene helps support the skin barrier and calm inflammation and redness.1 Squalene is an ideal ingredient for those with dry and sensitive skin. When used in hair products, it can help retain moisture as well.

WHAT IS SQUALENE?

Squalene is a lipid (fat) that is naturally found in the skin and produced by oil glands. Squalene makes up about 12% of the lipids (fats) that form human sebum.2 Over time, the production of this natural oil decreases, which can lead to dry, flaky and itchy skin. Squalene in its natural form is more prone to oxidation, so it is often converted to a more stable form called squalane to be used in skincare products.3

IS SQUALENE SAFE IN ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?

This ingredient is generally not irritating and works well on most skin types and tones.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

There are no known contraindications for this ingredient when used in skincare products.

Sources:
  1. Lou-Bonafonte JM, Martínez-Beamonte R, Sanclemente T, et al. Current insights into the biological action of squalene. Mol Nutr Food Res. Published online June 8, 2018:e1800136.
  2. Kim S-K, Karadeniz F. Biological importance and applications of squalene and squalane. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2012;65:223-233.
  3. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/squalane/

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH

Author

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, is a dermatology resident physician at Weill Cornell Dermatology in New York City. Her clinical interests include skin of color dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and skincare education. She has been involved with medical writing for the last 10 years.