Squalane oil is one of the hottest and most talked-about hydrating agents for rejuvenating dry and wrinkled skin. But what are the best squalane oil skin benefits, and why is it better than other currently available hydration products? If you are not familiar with squalane, then you need to read this!
What Is Squalane?
Squalane is a chemical-free skincare product that has been used as an emollient since the 1950s. It is made from squalene, one of the natural substances in your skin’s oil (sebaceous) glands. Most squalane today is plant-based and made from olives, sugar cane, and wheat germ. Some squalane is still made from shark liver. Olive squalane oil can have a shelf life of up to two years.
Squalane Versus Squalene
There is a lot of confusion about the difference between squalane and squalene. When explained properly, the distinction between the two is pretty simple and easy to understand. Squalene is what your body makes naturally, and squalane is the cosmetic product that you buy in the store or on-line.
Your skin’s sebaceous glands make and excrete an oily substance (sebum), which keeps your skin from drying out and cracking. Sebum is made up of a combination of squalene, triglycerides, and wax esters. Squalane is made from squalene by a chemical process called hydrogenation.
Squalane won’t oxidize over time, which is important because oxidation can cause skin damage. Hydrogenation makes squalane more stable as a hydrating agent for everyday use, allows it to absorb easily into the skin, and makes it feel less oily.
Benefits Of Squalane
At about 30 to 35 years old, your sebaceous glands may become less active, which can lead to a progressive loss of skin moisture and drying. As your hydration barrier becomes compromised, your skin can become dry with cracking, itching, and wrinkling. Your compromised skin is more susceptible to breakdown and infection.
Squalane oil for skin hydrates and acts as a natural barrier to help keep water in. Over time it can also repair the natural skin barrier and reduce transdermal water loss. Squalane is non-occlusive, so it lets your skin breathe. It won’t cause the formation of blackheads because it doesn’t block your skin pores (is non-comedogenic). It is inert and won’t interact with other ingredients or skin treatments. Squalane has a long history of use with a low adverse reaction profile.
Anyone Can Use It
Squalane is for anyone with dry and aging skin. It can be used on all skin types, including normal, dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Squalane has been used successfully to improve acne as well as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Let the look and feel of your skin be the judge of when to begin using squalane. Most women begin using hydrating agents and moisturizers in their early to mid-thirties to supplement their skin’s ability to keep looking and feeling great.
For tips on looking good see 5 Hot Tips On Aging Gracefully – Look 5 Years Younger Today! and Telomere Shortening And Aging – Stay Younger Longer!
Medicinal Properties
Squalane has a variety of medicinal properties, which make it an excellent anti-aging skin treatment.
- Anti-inflammatory – Squalane has natural anti-inflammatory properties to help heal the skin and stop itching.
- Antioxidant action – It can act as an antioxidant to decrease free radicals that can damage the skin. Squalane may also help protect the skin from sun damage.
- Collagen replacement -Squalane can stimulate the production of collagen to help prevent or repair fine lines and wrinkles.
- Blood circulation – It is believed that squalane may play a role in increasing blood circulation to the skin. This can help deliver more of the essential nutrients that the skin needs for healthy growth.
- Detoxification – Some research has shown that squalane and squalene can play a role in skin detoxification and may possess anti-cancer properties.
For more information on antioxidants, see Foods High In Antioxidant – Eating Smart For Better Health.
When To Use It
Squalane can be applied in the morning or the evening. If you apply squalane once a day, then use it after you bathe or shower. It can also be applied twice daily, in the morning and again in the evening. I would recommend that you begin with a once-daily morning or evening application to see how it works with your skin. As you begin to see an improvement in your complexion, you can increase it to twice daily.
How And Where To Apply It
Squalane is primarily a hydrating agent, not a moisturizer, although it does have a moisturizing effect on your skin over time. Apply 2 or 3 drops of squalane oil to your hand and gently pat it into your skin. Avoid using too much in a single application, which can make your skin feel oily.
Allow it to seep into your skin for about 3 to 5 mins then apply a moisturizer product to “lock it in.” You will typically need to use this product awhile before you begin to see results.
Most women use squalane as part of their facial treatment but it can be applied anywhere that your skin is dry or wrinkled. Always bath, shower, or wash your face clean before your application.
You can use squalane to hydrate and moisturize your hair. Rub a small amount gently into your scalp and stroke or comb your hair slowly until it is evenly distributed all the way down to the ends.
Squalane can also be used on your lips to prevent or eliminate cracking and on your cuticles to repair dry or damaged nails.
Here is a video by Biossance that shows 10 ways to use squalane oil.
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil is the number one skincare product I recommend for use as an overall excellent hydrating agent! This pure squalane oil is made from renewable sugarcane. Use it regularly to help reduce redness and inflammation. Biossance squalane oil will keep your skin looking great and feeling soft and smooth.
Use It Before You Moisturize!
Squalane should always be applied second to last in your skin application, just after water-based humectants (ingredients that attract water molecules) like hyaluronic acid or mandelic acid and before the moisturizer.
Everyone’s skin is different, and you will need to experiment to find the process that works best for you. If you have susceptible skin or have had skin treatment problems in the past, it is always best to consult a skincare specialist.
Using Squalane With Other Skin Care Products
Some people have found it helpful to use an application of 2% hyaluronic acid, followed by 10% mandelic acid before applying the squalane and moisturizer.
Hyaluronic acid adds additional skin hydration to help fill in fine lines and wrinkles by plumping the skin. It can absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Go slow with it until you see how your skin will react and watch for any areas of skin swelling.
Mandelic acid acts as a gentle exfoliating agent by removing dead skin cells that can dull your complexion. It can also help even out your skin texture and is good for treating acne and other blemishes. Like hyaluronic acid, it can help fill in fine lines and wrinkles.
Use hyaluronic and mandelic acid sparingly and watch for redness and other signs of skin irritation. Note that mandelic acid my cause visible areas of dry flaking skin and facial tingling if the application is too strong. If this occurs, then it is best to dilute it with water and slowly bring it back up to full concentration until skin tolerance develops.
Adverse Skin Reactions
Toxicologic, allergic, and irritant studies have shown squalane to be generally safe in the concentrations typically used to prepare cosmetics. Squalane has an excellent safety record, so skin irritation and allergic reactions are rarely seen.
As with any cosmetic, it is best to apply a small amount to an isolated area of skin before making a full application. If your skin becomes red, warm, swollen, or itchy, stop squalane immediately and call your health care provider for further instructions.
Squalane that is 100% plant-derived is generally less likely to cause an allergic reaction then that produced from shark liver. Please be thoughtful and avoid purchasing any animal-based cosmetic product.
Final Thoughts
Squalane is a natural byproduct of squalene that mimics your body’s sebaceous glands’ maintenance and restorative functions on your skin. It is an excellent hydrating agent that is oil-based but seeps into the skin quickly and does not feel excessively oily to the touch.
Women of any age can benefit from using squalane. Use it once or twice daily in the morning or evening for the best results.
Squalane works well in combination with other cosmetic products and is best applied second to last in your skincare regimen, just before a moisturizer to lock it in.
Squalane can be used anywhere that your skin is dry or wrinkled. You can also use squalane on your normal skin to help keep it looking and feeling great. Adverse skin reactions are rare.
Tell Us What You Think
Please let us know what’s on your mind in the comment section, or if I can help you with anything.
- Are you currently using squalane, or have you used it in the past?
- Has squalane helped you treat a particular skin problem?
- Do you have any additional tips or suggestions for using squalane?
Hi. Thank you for sharing this informative article. This is my first time learn about squalane oil. If you didn’t explain, I will thought that it’s for moisturizing purpose because I didn’t know there is a different for hydrating and moisturizing until I come across your article.
I’m just wondering can I just apply squalane oil without using moisturizer after that? This is interesting to learn that squalane oil can be use on different part of our body including hair!
Hi Janet,
Thank You for your comments.
I’m happy to have introduced you to this skincare product. It is one of the most natural things you can use to rehydrate dry skin and improve wrinkles. Squalane oil can be used without a moisturizer but using one helps to lock-in the squalane and makes it work more effectively. Squalane, like any oil-based product, does have some moisturizing properties but it’s mainly a hydrating agent. The best thing to do is to experiment and find the approach that works for you.
Frank
Hello there! Thank you for sharing this very informative article on squalene oil skin benefits. It is very helpful to me as I like anything that would help make me skin better. This is my first time hearing about squalene oil but I’m very excited about the fact that it hydrated my skin. I don’t have any skin product for that purpose yet and I’m so happy I came across this article. I’m definitely going to get one for myself, thank you.
Hi Sophie,
Thank You for your comments!
The product available for sale is Squalane. Squalene is the natural compound that squalane is made from. It is an excellent natural hydrating agent! Be sure to apply a moisturizing agent after your squalane treatment to lock it in.
Frank
Hello there, thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful piece of information here with us. I must say i have really learnt a lot from going through this review. I never knew there was a difference between moisturizing and hydrating. I have a dry skin and as long as it does not feel oily to touch i already like it
Hi Plilebur,
Thank You for sharing your comments!
Although Squalane is primarily thought of as a woman’s product you can certainly use it on your dry skin areas. Remember to always apply a skin moisturizer to allow the squalane to work more effectively.
Frank
I am a disaster for the beauty industry as I never use any beauty products. (No make-up either because I am allergic to some of the substances). But I am always interested in natural products, and if I understand your explanation correctly this product I had never heard of before is plant-based. With all the added benefits like anti-inflammatory and detoxification it seems like a really good choice.
Thanks for your information, Frank!
Hi Hannie,
I really appreciate your comments!
Yes, squalane can be purchased as a plant-based product, most commonly from olive oil. I’m glad you may have found a hydrating agent that can work for you. If you decide to give it a try then please re-comment and let us know how you liked it.
Frank
Thanks, Frank. Based upon your recommendation, I ordered squalane today. Hadn’t heard about it prior to reading your article.
Charlene
Hi Charlene,
Thank You for your comment!
I’m glad you decided to try squalane. It is an excellent choice for a natural hydrating agent. I hope it will give you great results.
Frank