Featuring a biometric structure and drawing its origins from the animal or plant kingdom, or even from the chemical industry, squalane is characterized by its similarity to the skin's hydrolipidic film. Its moisturizing, emollient, softening, and soothing properties allow it to be incorporated into skin and scalp care formulas.
What are the benefits of squalane for the skin?
Summary
Published on July 18, 2021, updated on February 22, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min of reading
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General information about squalane.
Squalane is a derivative of squalene . Naturally present in the body, this active ingredient is among the lipids produced by skin cells. It accounts for between 14 and 16% of sebum. Squalane is liposoluble, meaning it can be incorporated into oil-based skin and/or scalp care products. As for its characteristics, this ingredient is colorless and odorless. Despite its oily texture, its use does not cause any obstruction of the skin's pores. It can be combined with other active ingredients to formulate care products suitable for all skin types. In terms of texture, squalane is soft and silky to the touch. When applied topically, this ingredient leaves no greasy film after its use.
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The manufacturing process of squalane.
Squalane can be of animal, plant, or synthetic origin :
To obtain animal squalane, the shark is disemboweled to remove its liver. This organ is placed on a slanted metal stand and exposed to the sun so that the oil drains out. This substance is then filtered and stored.
The vegetable squalane is derived from squalene obtained from the residues of olive oil, sugarcane, rice, wheat, sugar beet, palm oil, or amaranth. In the case of olive oil squalane, the process involves recovering the unsaponifiable squalene using a distillation process aimed at removing the pulp from the olives that will be used to provide the oil. This oil is then hydrogenated before being transformed into squalane.
Synthetic squalane can be obtained by synthesizing terpenic elements. This is supplemented by the transformation of subterranean hydrocarbons to create synthetic molecules. The chemical transformation process corresponds to the enzymatic modification of sugar molecules after fermentation.
The benefits of squalane on the skin.
Hydration is among the primary benefits of squalane on the skin. Upon contact with the skin's surface, this active ingredient prevents dehydration and protects the skin by forming a hydrolipidic film. The squalane-based moisturizing treatments rebalance the skin's natural oils, while restoring a smooth appearance. Therefore, this active ingredient is recommended for dry skin.
Squalane is also suitable for treating blemished skin and skin prone to pigmentation spots. It penetrates deeply into the stratum corneum to even out skin pigmentation and to erase marks. Moreover, squalane is an essential ingredient for combating free radicals generated by UV rays. Its antioxidant properties allow it to reduce wrinkles, as well as fine lines, and to delay skin aging.
Precautions to take when using squalane.
No contraindications exist for its use. There is also no known interaction with other active ingredients. In order to benefit from the beneficial properties of squalane for as long as possible, it should be stored away from light and moisture. The bottle should also be properly closed after each use.
