How to use squalane?

The squalane is a biomimetic active recognized for its perfect compatibility with skin. Derived from squalene naturally present in human sebum, it helps to restore the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. Its emollient action makes the skin more supple and softer, while reducing sensations of tightness. Unlike some heavier vegetable oils, the squalane has a lightweight, non-comedogenic texture suitable for all skin types, including oily or acne-prone skin.

How can you use squalane to care for your skin?

Due to its hydrating and softening properties, squalane is suitable for all skin types but remains particularly recommended for dry skin. It can be used pure, as an oil-based serum. In this case, a few drops are sufficient for the face and neck. Squalane is then applied before the moisturizer. Thanks to its stability and non-photosensitizing nature, it can be used morning and evening, year-round. It can also be added to a cream or serum to enhance their nourishing power without weighing down the texture.

The squalane, thanks to its structure similar to that of sebum squalene, may contribute to maintaining the natural hydrolipidic film of the scalp. When applied to hair, it forms a light protective film around the hair fiber, which could help limit dehydration and improve softness and shine. Its relatively dry feel and high stability make it an appealing active ingredient for adding suppleness to hair without weighing it down. However, caution is advised: these effects are only hypotheses derived from its biological properties and have not been confirmed by hair-specific studies.

To date, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of squalane when applied to hair.

How can squalane be used for hair applications?

If you wish to use squalane on your hair, it is advisable to apply a small amount. On the scalp, just a few drops are sufficient, since too much could unnecessarily grease the roots. As a nourishing treatment, it can be used as a hair mask – similar to vegetable oils – by applying a few drops to the lengths and ends. Squalane can be left on for 30 minutes to several hours, or even overnight, before shampooing.

The skin of lips is particularly thin and lacks sebaceous glands, making it highly susceptible to dehydration and external stressors like cold, wind, or even UV rays). This fragility often manifests as tightness, chapping, or cracking. Thanks to its structure, which closely resembles the squalene naturally present in sebum, squalane acts as an excellent emollient: it restores the missing hydrolipidic film on the lips and reduces water loss. Moreover, its light texture and safety profile make it particularly suitable for application on the lips.

How to apply squalane to moisturize and soften your lips?

If squalane is particularly beneficial for caring for dry lips, in winter for example, it can be used year-round. For this, after washing your hands, place a few drops of squalane on your finger and gently tap your lips to facilitate absorption. This action can be repeated as often as you wish throughout the day. You can also use a lip applicator to apply squalane directly to your lips.

Squalane, due to its lipid nature and excellent affinity for the skin, could also be beneficial for nails and their cuticles. By forming a protective film on the surface, it may help maintain their hydration and prevent the dryness responsible for splitting and breakage. Like fatty acid-rich plant oils, it would help soften cuticles and improve nail shine.

However, it is important to remain cautious, since no specific study has yet evaluated the effects of squalane on nail health.

How should squalane be applied to the nails?

To use squalane on nails, several methods are available. You can first apply it daily at a rate of one drop per nail, massaging until fully absorbed. You can also perform a weekly squalane oil bath: pour a small amount of squalane into a small dish and immerse your nails for about fifteen minutes to strengthen them. Finally, as with hair, you can use squalane as an overnight mask. In the evening, coat your nails with a thin layer of squalane, then wrap them in cellophane or wear cotton gloves. Upon waking, your nails should appear shinier.

Unlike squalene, squalane has not been studied for oral administration.

Conversely, squalene has been studied in nutritional and pharmacological contexts, notably because of its role in cholesterol biosynthesis. Indeed, squalene is an intermediate metabolite in the body’s cholesterol synthesis pathway. It occurs naturally in certain oils, especially extra virgin olive oil. Studies have shown that 60 to 80% of orally ingested squalene is absorbed. Although some of it is converted into cholesterol, this conversion does not lead to a significant increase in blood cholesterol levels, except at very high doses (≥ 1 g per day). On the contrary, at lower doses (around 0.5 g/day), it does not appear to have a detrimental effect on blood cholesterol, and could even enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of certain treatments, such as statins.

Several epidemiological studies also suggest a protective role of dietary squalene against certain cancers, notably breast, colon, and lung cancers. These observations mainly come from research conducted in Mediterranean countries, where olive oil consumption is high. Researchers partly attribute this protective effect to the high squalene content of this oil, known for its antioxidant properties and its ability to trap free radicals.

Oral administration of squalene, like that of squalane, has not been studied for cosmetic benefits on the skin, hair, or nails.

Note: Oral squalene is primarily intended for nutritional or specific therapeutic use, often in the form of dietary supplements with doses ranging from 0.5 to 1 g per day. Before considering supplementation, we encourage you to seek advice from a healthcare professional, particularly if you have hypercholesterolemia or a metabolic condition.

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