What is squalane and why is it important for your skin?
Squalane has become one of the buzziest skincare ingredients, but what exactly is it and why does your skin crave it? Squalane is a lipid naturally found in the skin that provides intense hydration and smoothes the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike many synthetic moisturizers, plant-derived squalane mimics your skin’s natural oils to give you a radiant and youthful glow without clogging pores.
Read our guide to learn more about how squalane works, its top benefits, and why this antioxidant-rich ingredient should be a staple in your skincare routine.
Some key benefits of squalane include:
There are many reasons your skin will love squalane:
Powerful Antioxidant - Squalane contains antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative damage that accelerates aging. Its antioxidant powers also support the immune system.
Intense Hydration - Squalane is an emollient that softens skin and provides long-lasting moisture without leaving an oily residue. It helps strengthen the skin's barrier function for improved hydration.
Smooths Skin - By boosting collagen production and plumping up skin, squalane smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles giving you a more youthful, radiant glow.
Soothes Inflammation & Redness - The anti-inflammatory properties of squalane calm irritation and reduce redness caused by dryness or conditions like eczema.
Non-Comedogenic - Squalane is non-comedogenic so it won't clog pores making it suitable for acne-prone skin. It gets absorbed rapidly without blocking follicles.
Safe for Sensitive Skin - Thanks to its gentleness, squalane is great even for sensitive skin types. It is non-irritating and soothing.
Byrdie features a deep dive into squalane and discusses the benefits of it in your skincare routine, “Squalane is great for softening or smoothing the skin, as it may help to support the natural outer barrier of the skin.”
Squalane is a lipid that occurs naturally in the body. It is produced when squalene, its precursor also found in skin, gets hydrogenated.
Squalene is mainly produced in the liver and secreted through the sebaceous glands onto the skin’s surface. This helps keep skin supple and moisturized.
Plant-derived squalane from sources like olives and sugarcane provides the same hydrating and replenishing effects when applied topically. It mimics your skin’s natural lipids to provide next-level moisturization without clogging pores.
No, squalane does not clog pores. In fact, one of the major benefits of squalane is that it is non-comedogenic, meaning it is non-clogging for pores.
There are a few reasons why squalane does not clog pores:
Molecular size - The molecules of squalane are small enough to penetrate deeply into the skin without blocking pores on the surface.
Sebum-like composition - Squalane mimics the natural oils (sebum) of skin, so skin recognizes and accepts it rather than rejecting it in a way that leads to clogged pores.
Rapid absorption - Squalane gets quickly absorbed into the skin rather than sitting on the surface. This prevents pore-clogging buildup.
Regulates oil production - By providing moisture to the skin, squalane signals to the sebaceous glands to produce less oil. This helps minimize blockages.
Non-greasy feel - Despite its intense hydration, squalane does not leave a greasy finish on skin. This also contributes to it not clogging pores.
So in summary, the light, fast-absorbing nature of squalane allows it to deliver hydration without risk of congestion. It's an ideal ingredient even for those with acne-prone skin to get moisturization without worrying about clogged pores.
Yes, squalane can be beneficial for acne-prone skin when used properly. Here are some of the reasons why squalane is good for acne:
Non-Comedogenic - As mentioned previously, squalane does not clog pores or cause breakouts, which makes it safe for acne-prone skin.
Regulates Oil Production - By providing moisture to the skin, squalane can help regulate excess oil (sebum) production which is a major acne trigger. This prevents future breakouts.
Anti-Inflammatory - The anti-inflammatory properties of squalane calm the redness and swelling associated with breakouts. This helps acne heal faster.
Anti-Bacterial - Squalane exhibits mild antimicrobial qualities which fight the bacteria that leads to inflammatory lesions.
Boosts Cell Turnover - Increased cell regeneration from squalane helps unclog pores by shedding dead skin cells faster.
Deep Hydration - Properly hydrated skin is less prone to breakouts triggered by excessive dryness and irritation.
Those with acne should opt for lightweight squalane serums and avoid applying it all over the face. Start by using it as a spot treatment on areas prone to breakouts before building up usage. Introduce it slowly and discontinue use if any sensitivity develops. With the right application, squalane can be a great addition to an acne skincare routine.
Cleveland Clinic covers the benefits and how squalane smooths skin here.
Squalane is remarkably versatile in skincare. Here are some tips for getting the most out of this multitasking ingredient:
Restoring Night under eye patches contain squalane, which has a number of benefits for the skin, including:
In addition to squalane, the FlashPatch Restoring Night Eye Gels also contain retinol and peptides, which are other anti-aging ingredients. Together, these ingredients work to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles, and restore a brighter, more youthful appearance to the eyes.
Exfoliate Mate sheet mask contains squalane, which benefits the skin with nourishing ingredients that:
Squalane Skincare Do's:
With all of its impressive benefits for skin, it’s no wonder skincare brands are infusing squalane into everything from cleansers to eye creams. Discover the hydrating power of this miracle lipid for yourself!
