Squalane (Squalene)

It’s time to finally stop confusing squalene with squalane and find out how these substances are useful for the skin.

What is squalene?

In the language of chemists, squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon. This oily substance plays an important role in the body of living beings, including humans. What does this compound have to do with the skin? The most direct.

The fact is that squalene is part of sebum (sebum) and, therefore, is part of the lipid mantle of the skin, our defense against external aggressive factors.

Squalene is found in the liver of deep sea sharks.

Starting from the age of 30, the content of squalene in the skin begins to fall, which negatively affects, first of all, its barrier functions – in fact, the most important ones. Squalene deficiency causes such phenomena as:

  • dryness;

  • dehydration;

  • hypersensitivity;

  • roughness;

  • the formation of small wrinkles;

  • pigmentation.

Our test will tell you what your skin wants to tell you.

Where is squalene found?

Animal

Squalene was discovered by the Japanese in the liver of a deep-sea shark in 1906. Hence the “predatory” name: squalus – “shark”, lat.

It is also found in the skin of the American beaver.

Vegetable

The best-known plant source of squalene is extra virgin olive oil.

However, this substance can also be found in other natural oils:

  • amaranth;

  • palm;

  • rice bran;

  • wheat germ.

Composition

The value and benefits of squalene for the body as a whole and the skin in particular cannot be overestimated. However, as an ingredient, squalene has a number of significant drawbacks. First of all, it is unstable, quickly oxidizes in air and therefore loses its properties.

Therefore, in cosmetics squalene does not apply, which cannot be said about its derivative – squalane, an oily substance of plant origin, obtained as a result of the synthesis of organic fatty acids.

Сввалан, unlike squalene, is resistant to oxygen, water, temperature changes and at the same time has exactly the same properties as its relative. The main plant sources of squalane today are olives and sugar cane.

Squalane is extracted not only from olives, but also from sugar cane.

If you delve into the composition of this ingredient, you can find such pleasant finds:

  • tocopherol (vitamin E);

  • beta-carotene;

  • ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10).

Useful properties for the skin

Since squalane is very similar in structure to skin lipids, she takes it with pleasure. Squalane works, as it should be for a skin lipid:

  • retains moisture;

  • protects from negative manifestations of the environment;

  • softens;

  • prevents dullness and roughness;

  • fights against premature aging;

  • maintains skin elasticity.

Application of squalane

A valuable ingredient is widely used by modern cosmetics manufacturers in products for home and professional use.

In cosmetics

First of all, squalane is included in the composition of creams, emulsions and fluids aimed at:

  • moisturizing;

  • skin protection;

  • recovery;

  • decreased sensitivity.

One of the main advantages of squalane is its compatibility with all skin types. The first indication for the use of products with squalane is dehydration, roughness, dryness of the skin surface.

In addition to creams, squalane can be included in any cosmetic formula with an oily component. It could be:

  • oil concentrate-serum;

  • nourishing face mask;

  • eye cream;

  • cleansing oil for make-up removal and washing;

  • bath and shower oil;

  • body milk;

  • lip balm;

  • tonal basis;

  • hand cream

In cosmetology

In professional care, squalane products are used to restore skin with a weakened protective barrier, including after procedures that damage the upper layers of the epidermis:

  • acid peels;

  • dermabrasion;

  • retino peeling.

Overview of squalane products

Special attention in our ranking is paid to Kiehl’s brand, which makes extensive use of squalane, obtained from olives, and considers it a signature ingredient.

Soothing gel for irritated skin after shaving Post Shave Repair Gel, Kiehl’s

A concentrate based on aloe vera, mint and squalane will quickly cope with the troubles provoked by shaving.

Ultra Facial Ultra Moisturizing Cream, Kiehl’s

The legendary remedy is famous for its ability to protect the skin even under adverse weather conditions. To appreciate its capabilities, it is not necessary to conquer Everest.

Whipped Body Butter Soy Milk & Honey, Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter Soy Milk & Honey

“Whipped cream” with the aroma of honey and a very encouraging composition: squalane, beta-carotene, shea butter, jojoba oil. How to refuse this?

Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Kiehl’s

Another favorite of the public, enriched with natural essential oils and plant extracts, and, of course, squalane.

Oil for removing makeup and cleansing the skin of the face Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, Kiehl’s

Even the manufacturer added squalane to the make-up remover oil to soften the skin and combat dryness after washing off the composition.

Nourishing Luxury Day Cream, Light texture, L’Oréal Paris

Squalane is at the top of the ingredient list for this nourishing and softening formula.

Moisturizing soothing cream for hypersensitive and allergy-prone skin of the face and neck Toleriane Ultra Cream, La Roche-Posay

When it comes to restoring the skin’s protective barrier, squalane is called in to help. This is exactly what the creators of this cream for sensitive skin did – and rightly so.

Night Spa Aqualia Thermal, Vichy

Night care-mask provides intensive and long-lasting saturation of the skin with moisture and helps to retain it.

Cream for redness-prone skin, Redness Neutralizer, SkinCeuticals

The product for sensitive skin has a verified composition that has a calming effect. And again, squalane came in very handy.

Safety measures

Squalane is a skin-friendly ingredient that naturally nourishes the epidermis, but for reactive skin, you should always try a new product on a small area of ​​the body.

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