Squalane oil benefits have become known – and rightfully so – as one of the most effective moisturizers available today. From beauty vloggers to dermatologists, everyone is talking about how this all-natural oil has changed their lives for the better!
If you’ve heard about it but don’t know what it is or why people are so excited, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we will answer all your questions about what makes squalane oil so special and why it should be part of your routine if you want healthy-looking skin. Read on to discover how to use squalane oil!
What Is Squalane: The Basics
Squalane is the stabilized version of squalene, an oil found in sebum (as well as in olives, rice bran, sugarcane, and shark liver - 8 Saints uses sustainably sourced squalane from olive oil). This oil plays a huge role in your natural ability to moisturize your skin and is particularly effective at preventing transdermal moisture loss.
Why do you need to apply it to your skin if your body already produces it? Young, healthy skin produces sebum with 10-13% squalene. That percentage begins to decline in your 20's. It can get all the way down to 5% (or lower) once you hit your 50's, which causes dry skin and exacerbates signs of aging.
That’s why you should start applying squalane for skin topically early on.
Squalane Composition
Squalane is a hydrophobic saturated hydrocarbon. That’s a mouthful, but here’s what you should take away: hydrophobic means that it repels water. This, somewhat counterintuitively, makes it a fantastic moisturizer. Why?
You know oil and water don’t mix. If you try to mix them anyway, eventually, the oil will come to rest on top of the water.
When it comes to squalane, that means that the oil penetrates the skin and sits on top of the moisture underneath. This locks it in and creates deep, long-lasting hydration from within.
Maintaining this layer of oil will protect your skin’s natural barrier and:
- Smooth wrinkles
- Prevent peeling and flakiness
- Prevent sensitivity
- Stave off irritation and redness
Squalane vs. Squalene
Squalene for skin is an organic compound important for your skin that is found deep within the skin's sebum layers. It also occurs naturally in both plants and animals, with our bodies deriving it from food sources—which is why maintaining a healthy diet becomes all the more important! Unfortunately, squalene quickly goes rancid when exposed to air or oxygen. This makes it difficult to use directly as a skin care ingredient.
To overcome this challenge, squalane is produced by removing oxygen from squalene which then becomes a lighter, odorless oil which can be used safely on the skin. Comparing squalane vs squalene, squalane in skin care is the superior choice for treating your skin with natural, nourishing ingredients.
Hemi Squalane vs. Squalane
What exactly is hemi-squalane and how does it differ from the standard version? Hemi squalane is derived from plant sources, while squalane is plant-derived but also found naturally in our skin. Both provide a richly hydrated base that can protect your skin against environmental stressors and help cell membrane integrity.
While both options are non-comedogenic, Hemi squalane has more of an antioxidant effect that helps lock in moisture and fight signs of aging like wrinkles, while squalane is richer in texture and minimizes acne scarring. Ultimately, both oils offer amazing natural skincare benefits but how you use them is up to you.
Squalene Dangers
Squalene is a popular ingredient for skin care products with moisture-locking properties making the skin feel smooth. Unfortunately, this popular ingredient is often obtained by harvesting livers of deep-sea sharks with over 2.7 million killed every year.
Since squalene for skin is a scarce resource, the hunting of sharks for their liver has caused their population to plummet to dangerously low numbers. The use of squalene in skin care might be beneficial for us, but it has dire consequences for marine wildlife.
A word of caution: pay attention to where your squalane comes from. If it is sourced from shark livers, it is horrible for the animals and bad for the environment. If it doesn’t say plant squalane oil on the label or discuss the process, don’t buy it.
Squalane Oil in Eight Saints Skin Care
Here at EightSaints, squalane oil is one of our namesake all-natural ingredients. Plant derived from olive oil, squalane is an amazing product for skin care with its impressive ability to restore moisture and add nourishment back to the skin quickly. This means that squalane helps your skin stay hydrated and soft for longer periods of time.
Squalane also acts as a protective barrier, shielding the skin from environmental stressors and pollution without feeling overwhelming or clogging pores. Finally, plant derived squalane is environmentally safe and sustainable, with lasting beneficial properties that won't break down easily.
Squalane Benefits
Squalane has long been hailed for its many skin-care benefits. Squalane is light, powerful, and immensely beneficial for skin care. It acts as an emollient ingredient that helps keep cells hydrated and protected on the surface of your skin.
Not only is it used in numerous beauty products, but it also holds its own weight in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Squalane's unique formulation makes it suitable to be used not only for the face and body but even hair - it has been known to help moisturize dry locks without feeling heavy or greasy. So what is Squalane good for?
Natural Moisturizer
As a natural moisturizer, squalane absorbs deeply into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and prevent wrinkles. Not only does squalane oil help retain moisture in the skin, but it also strengthens the skin barrier, which locks in that moisture, keeping your skin looking healthier and more youthful for longer.
With squalane oil as part of your skincare routine, you'll soon find your skin softer and better hydrated than ever before!
For All Skin Types
Squalane is gentle and effective for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, squalane can help improve the look and feel of your skin. So what does squalane do for the skin?
For those with sensitive skin, squalane gives a calming sensation and can reduce redness and discomfort. Those who suffer from dry skin will benefit from its hydrating properties, while oily and combination skins can use it to balance what their skin is producing. Whatever your needs, squalane has the solution!
Antibacterial and Soothing
Not only does this wonder product have antibacterial properties to help fight bacteria, it's also an incredibly effective treatment for eczema. Squalane helps soothe dry, red, and itchy patches while actively regenerating skin cells, making it a godsend for those who suffer from this condition. It’s also packed with fatty acids that replenish and nourish the skin, protecting it from outside elements like pollution and sun exposure.
Light and Breathable
If you're looking for a light and breathable solution to keep your skin hydrated, look no further than squalane! Not only is it fast-absorbing and non-greasy, but it's odorless too!
And since squalane naturally occurs in the body, it’s easy for it to slip into the spaces between your skin cells to moisturize your skin effectively. You can trust that squalane will be gentle on your skin and provide long-lasting hydration.
Long Shelf Life
Despite its silky smooth texture, squalane is incredibly stable, so it can stay in good condition for up to two years — as long as you store it away from heat and light.
Plus, it does not oxidize quickly when exposed to air. Even better, squalane doesn't need to be refrigerated!
Anti-Aging
Specially formulated with anti-aging properties, squalane not only combats hyperpigmentation but can also reduce other signs of aging, such as wrinkles. Squalane works hard to eliminate free radicals and environmental stressors that can cause aged skin. It's even equipped to protect your skin from UV rays and free radicals that can destroy collagen in the skin.
As an added bonus, squalane functions as an antioxidant! Antioxidants are great additives in skincare products because they reduce the amount of oxidative stress put on the skin, which helps maintain its youthful appearance.
Improves Skin Tone
A natural compound rich with vitamins and minerals, squalane visibly brightens the skin and improves its texture. With special abilities to fade dark spots and replenish moisture levels, squalane can help make your skin baby-smooth with its lightweight texture.
Is Squalane Comedogenic?
If you’re worried about using oil-based products on your skin, afraid it will clog your pores and cause breakouts, then fear not! Squalane is a lightweight oil that not only won't clog your pores but, because of its light molecules, is quickly absorbed into the skin.
With a comedogenic rating as low as 0-1, this plant-based product's likelihood of causing any pore blockages is virtually non-existent. This means that no matter what kind of skin type you have, you can enjoy the hydrating benefits of this amazing oil!
How to Use Squalane Oil in Skin Care?
Squalane is gaining a lot of attention lately as a miracle ingredient for skincare. As a natural plant-based oil, squalane is an amazing all-purpose ingredient and can be found in many different types of skincare products, ranging from toners to oils to moisturizers and more.
Squalane contains antioxidants and helps lock moisture into the skin, making it hydrated and balanced. It also can be used as a carrier oil in other products for added nourishment. And since it's so mild, squalane works well on every single skin type, from oily to dry and everything in between.
EightSaints Squalane Skin Care
Here at EightSaints, we firmly believe that ingredient quality is key to having great skin. That's why our products contain only the best all-natural and organic ingredients, such as squalane.
We've done extensive research on squalane, and its proven benefits for all skin types - antioxidants, moisturizing, and protecting the skin barrier. It can even help balance out oil production for those with oily and combination skin types! All in all, we consider squalane a necessary ingredient, and you should too!
All In Eye Cream
Made with all 8 of our namesake natural ingredients, including squalane, our All In Eye Cream eliminates bags, puffiness, and dark circles while brightening the delicate eye area. Squalene helps to boost blood circulation, providing moisture for visibly plumped youthful skin.
Discovery Kit
Get everything you need for your skin from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed with our Discovery Kit. This amazing kit contains 8 of our best-selling skin care products in trial-size form, including our All In Eye Cream.
Pure Squalane Oil for Face
Squalane oil is one of the best lightweight, non-greasy oils you can use. When selecting, opt for one that is cruelty-free or vegan. Squalane oil is perfect for hydrating your skin without clogging pores.
To use, massage a few drops into your cleansed face or combine it with your favorite moisturizer or skincare product to give it an extra pick-me-up.
When to Use Squalane Oil
It might seem like a small step, but consciously incorporating this oil into your routine can make a big difference. During the day, apply squalane before sunscreen to form a barrier between your skin and any pollutants in the air. To maximize the effects, use it as the last step in your PM routine as well!
Squalane has natural hydrating qualities that will help your skin retain moisture while you sleep. Plus, you’ll wake up each morning with an even more radiant complexion than when you would have gone to bed!
Squalane Oil vs. Other Ingredients
As we take a closer look into squalane's properties, let's see how it compares to other popular skincare choices. Unlike some reactive ingredients, squalane is a very safe bet when it comes to complex combinations.
This means that when used together with Vitamin C or Niacinamide, it doesn't risk ruining your skin - but amplifies the effect of the entire mixture. Not to mention that this oil has proven to be an effective replacement for occlusives such as silicone-based products and lighter than oils like olive and coconut - making it a lightweight powerhouse for moisturizing.
Squalane vs. Jojoba Oil
Squalane oil and jojoba oil are both incredibly popular emollients that help keep your skin well moisturized and healthy. Both work with the body’s natural sebum, helping it remain balanced and hydrated. Plus, they each have their own antioxidant properties that fight free radicals to help keep your skin smoother, softer, and healthier.
Consider incorporating them into your beauty routine - you can use them together to complement each other or as an alternative to squalane. Either way, these lightweight oils won’t clog your pores and will leave your skin feeling amazing.
Squalane vs. Rosehip Oil
Although squalane and rosehip oil have different properties, they can benefit all skin types. Squalane oil is known to be longer-lasting and better suited for those with dry to normal skin, as it helps balance any moisture loss on the skin’s surface.
Rosehip oil, on the other hand, works great for oily/combo-skin types as it helps remove excess oils without leaving behind any residue or greasiness. Doing so, can help manage breakouts and effectively reduce oil production for a clean and healthy complexion.
Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid
When it comes to skincare, moisturizers are essential for a good beauty routine. Squalane oil and hyaluronic acid are both fantastic ingredients to hydrate skin and keep it strong and healthy. Although they both have similarities, like being great for obtaining soft, supple skin, there are also some differences.
While hyaluronic acid’s main function is to nourish the skin from within by soaking up moisture like a sponge, squalane oil mimic’s our body’s natural oil so it lasts longer on the skin as a moisturizer.
For drier skin types, hyaluronic acid would be best because it seals moisture into your cells; however, if you want something with a more lightweight texture, squalane oil could be better because it's lighter on the top layer of your skin while still retaining hydration.
Precautions
If you're considering squalene as an addition to your skin care routine, rest assured that it's a safe ingredient. Our bodies naturally produce squalene, which reduces the possibility of squalene side effects.
However, while squalene is suitable for all skin types, it's always best to take precautions and conduct a patch test. This will allow you to ensure that you're not experiencing any kind of allergic reaction or irritation before going ahead and applying squalene everywhere else on your face and body.
Is Squalane Safe When Pregnant?
Squalane is the perfect choice when it comes to choosing a moisturizer while pregnant or nursing. Not only is it perfectly safe to use during this special time, but it can also provide an incredibly hydrating experience without some of the adverse side effects that sometimes come with other moisturizers.
Plus, you can rest assured knowing that whatever you put onto your body won't be harmful or dangerous for your baby.
Summary
So, what have we learned? Plant-derived squalane is the best choice for your skin and hair care needs. Vegan and plant-based, here at EightSaints, this all-natural ingredient is perfect for those with sensitive skin as it's non-comedogenic and lightweight.
As an added bonus, this natural moisturizer also has anti-aging properties and improves skin tone. Your skin and hair will thank you for switching to plant-derived squalane! Ready to give it a try? Check out our products containing squalane oil.