Squalane (INCI: Squalane) is a stable, saturated oil derived from squalene—a lipid naturally found in human sebum. It blends seamlessly with skin, offering weightless hydration and a smooth, silky finish. Commonly used in serums, creams, sunscreens, and oils, squalane helps maintain softness, reduce water loss, and improve texture—without greasiness or irritation.

·    Deep Hydration: Locks in moisture and supports a supple, healthy glow.

·    Non-Greasy, Non-Comedogenic: Absorbs quickly without clogging pores—ideal even for oily or acne-prone skin.

·   Antioxidant Defense: Helps neutralize oxidative stress caused by UV and pollution.

·   Barrier Repair: Mimics natural skin lipids to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and reduce moisture loss.

·   Soothing & Safe: Suitable for sensitive, dry, and inflamed skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

Once sourced from shark liver oil, modern squalane is now sustainably derived from olives, rice bran, amaranth, or bio-fermented sugarcane. Sugarcane-based squalane, in particular, is highly sustainable and eco-friendly—offering pure, plant-based hydration with zero animal cruelty.

Squalane has been used in cosmetics for decades. Originally obtained from deep-sea sharks, its moisturizing power made it a staple in luxury skincare. With the shift to ethical sourcing and biotech advances, plant- and yeast-derived squalane is now the gold standard—high purity, cruelty-free, and perfectly skin-compatible.

·      Your own skin naturally produces squalene—about 12% of human sebum is made of it.

·      Baby skin has the highest squalene levels, which decline with age.

·      Squalane restores what your skin loses over time, helping to maintain softness and
resilience.

·    Clinically proven to reduce transepidermal water loss and boost elasticity in just 4 weeks.

·   Enhances skin turnover and improves texture by up to 34% in regular users.

·   Outperforms many popular oils in absorption and barrier support—without the risk of pore blockage.

·   Recognized as extremely safe by dermatologists and cosmetic safety panels.

·   Made using patented biotech and purification processes for highest grade purity.

Studies: Extensive research (in vitro, animal and human) validates Squalane’s safety and efficacy.
Key findings include:

·  Hydration & Barrier Studies: Squalane reinforces the lipid barrier. In lab models it supplements epidermal fats to reduce water loss (mdpi.com). Clinically, a 4-week study of a Squalane-containing facial serum showed significant improvement in skin hydration: treated subjects experienced a marked drop in transepidermal water loss, +11.9% skin elasticity gain, and visibly brighter, more even tone (cosmoderma.org).

·   Comparative Efficacy: Squalane often outperforms common oils. One analysis found Squalane absorbed more quickly and moisturized better than jojoba or argan oil. In that comparison, regular Squalane use also accelerated cell turnover (~34% improvement in texture) and visibly strengthened the skin barrier. Unlike mineral oil (an inert hydrocarbon), Squalane is “skin-identical,” blending into the skin’s lipid matrix. It also avoids issues of mineral oil (like pore occlusion) because it is non-greasy and highly biocompatible.

·   Safety & Absorption: Squalane is extremely safe. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel has re-affirmed that Squalane is safe as used in cosmetics (cir-safety.org.) Animal models show very limited absorption: in mouse skin tests only minute amounts penetrated in 2 hours, and oral studies showed nearly 100% excretion (no GI uptake) (cir-safety.orgcir-safety.org). Human patch tests report no irritation or sensitization (Squalane’s irritancy score is essentially 0). Its very low comedogenic rating and antibacterial properties make it safe even on blemish-prone skin.

·   Patents & Innovation: Numerous patents cover modern Squalane technology. For example, methods to purify Squalane to ultra-high purity (removing trace shark impurities like pristane) have been patentedpatents. Biotech companies also hold patents on engineered microbes and fermentation processes that yield consistent, high-grade Squalane from sugarcane and other feedstocks. These innovations underscore that today’s Squalane is not just effective, but manufactured to rigorous cosmetic and pharmaceutical standards.

Sources: Every statement above is backed by scientific literature and industry sourcespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govincibeauty.comincidecoder.comamyris.comcosmoderma.orgcir-safety.orgcir-safety.org.