Whether you realize it or not, most moisturizing ingredients in skin care, makeup, and hair care products come from animals. Beeswax is a humectant that is widely used in face creams and foundations.
Hyaluronic acid is one of our most popular skin moisturizers, often sourced from cows and horses. (Don't worry, our products are synthetic.) Many lip balms and glosses use lanolin, an oily ingredient derived from wool.
When it comes to building a hydration and vegan routine, our answer is: squalane. It's 100% plant-based, ensuring baby-soft complexion and a strong protective barrier. Read below for all the information on how and when to use squalane.
What is squalene?
We can't explain squalane without first defining it (yes, the spelling is very confusing). Squalene is a lipid that occurs naturally in our bodies.
Together with other humectants such as amino acids and ceramides, it forms the skin's natural moisturizing factor - also known as "moisturizing factor". NMF. Think of NMF as the glue that keeps the vapor barrier intact; the more squalene, the stronger the barrier.
“Squalene helps retain moisture, prevents moisture loss, and can improve skin barrier function,” explains I’sha Gaines, a licensed esthetician and skin care formulator. “A stronger barrier keeps harmful contaminants out and keeps nutrients out.”
Dry skin types genetically have less squalene. Even if you have normal or oily skin tone, everyone's NMF levels decrease over time, which is why aging skin feels drier, looks wrinkled, and has a finer texture.
Although there are no biological methods to prevent this degradation, you can help restore squalene levels by applying it topically through skin care.
The difference between squalene and squalane. Moisturizers and facial oils made with squalene are very effective at smoothing the skin and restoring moisture shortcoming?
Squalene is derived from shark liver oil, extracted directly from the fish itself. They really need these oils to survive in the deep waters where they live.
According to the BBC, three-quarters of shark populations are at risk of extinction, and although many fear the stigma attached to sharks, they are an important part of marine ecosystems and are vital to combating climate change.
This is where squalane comes into play. Squalane embodies the moisturizing and skin conditioning properties of squalene. Aside from the slightly different spelling, the only difference between the two is that squalane is plant-based.
The type we use in our rich moisturizer comes from olives, but sometimes it also comes from sugar cane. Squalane Benefits According to skin experts, squalane is a 10/10 ingredient that not only softens skin but also prevents premature damage like fine lines and wrinkles.
"Squalane is very similar to the skin's natural oil, sebum, making it an ideal ingredient for maintaining moisture levels," says esthetician Alison Angold.
"Squalane also contains antioxidants that help fight cell damage that leads to premature aging. [This ingredient] is used to moisturize the skin and repair damaged skin cells to promote healthier, younger-looking skin."
While squalane is ideal for dry and aging skin, it is also beneficial for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone and dull skin.
"Squalane oil is non-greasy, non-comedogenic and helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, redness and fine lines," says esthetician Anit Hora.
If you have oily skin, it can help regulate your skin's sebum production and make your skin tone more balanced. "It absorbs immediately into the skin and starts working, providing a very soft and radiant effect," adds Anit.
How to use squalane. You can usually find squalane in the ingredient list of moisturizers, but it can also be found in night masks, eye creams, and facial oils.
Squalane can be used every morning and/or night and works well with other ingredients like acids and retinol because it is non-irritating. Our Retinol Body Lotion contains squalane (along with cocoa butter) to not only hydrate, but also repair sagging skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.
If you’re a fan of squalane, you might also want to take HA. Next, read all about the benefits of hyaluronic acid.
Together with other humectants such as amino acids and ceramides, it forms the skin's natural moisturizing factor - also known as "moisturizing factor". NMF. Think of NMF as the glue that keeps the vapor barrier intact; the more squalene, the stronger the barrier.
“Squalene helps retain moisture, prevents moisture loss, and can improve skin barrier function,” explains I’sha Gaines, a licensed esthetician and skin care formulator. “A stronger barrier keeps harmful contaminants out and keeps nutrients out.”
Dry skin types genetically have less squalene. Even if you have normal or oily skin tone, everyone's NMF levels decrease over time, which is why aging skin feels drier, looks wrinkled, and has a finer texture.
Although there are no biological methods to prevent this degradation, you can help restore squalene levels by applying it topically through skin care.
The difference between squalene and squalane. Moisturizers and facial oils made with squalene are very effective at smoothing the skin and restoring moisture shortcoming?
Squalene is derived from shark liver oil, extracted directly from the fish itself. They really need these oils to survive in the deep waters where they live.
According to the BBC, three-quarters of shark populations are at risk of extinction, and although many fear the stigma attached to sharks, they are an important part of marine ecosystems and are vital to combating climate change.
This is where squalane comes into play. Squalane embodies the moisturizing and skin conditioning properties of squalene. Aside from the slightly different spelling, the only difference between the two is that squalane is plant-based.
The type we use in our rich moisturizer comes from olives, but sometimes it also comes from sugar cane. Squalane Benefits According to skin experts, squalane is a 10/10 ingredient that not only softens skin but also prevents premature damage like fine lines and wrinkles.
"Squalane is very similar to the skin's natural oil, sebum, making it an ideal ingredient for maintaining moisture levels," says esthetician Alison Angold.
"Squalane also contains antioxidants that help fight cell damage that leads to premature aging. [This ingredient] is used to moisturize the skin and repair damaged skin cells to promote healthier, younger-looking skin."
While squalane is ideal for dry and aging skin, it is also beneficial for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone and dull skin.
"Squalane oil is non-greasy, non-comedogenic and helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, redness and fine lines," says esthetician Anit Hora.
If you have oily skin, it can help regulate your skin's sebum production and make your skin tone more balanced. "It absorbs immediately into the skin and starts working, providing a very soft and radiant effect," adds Anit.
How to use squalane. You can usually find squalane in the ingredient list of moisturizers, but it can also be found in night masks, eye creams, and facial oils.
Squalane can be used every morning and/or night and works well with other ingredients like acids and retinol because it is non-irritating. Our Retinol Body Lotion contains squalane (along with cocoa butter) to not only hydrate, but also repair sagging skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.
If you’re a fan of squalane, you might also want to take HA. Next, read all about the benefits of hyaluronic acid.
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