How Does Squalane Help Skin? The Top 5 Benefits of Squalane

How are squalane and squalene different?

You may have heard squalane and squalene used interchangeably, but these two ingredients are a little different. So, what is squalane vs squalene? Let’s dive in.

Squalene: Naturally produced in the skin’s sebaceous glands, squalene is also sometimes sourced from shark liver, making it an animal-derived ingredient. Squalene is highly unstable and prone to oxidation, meaning it darkens in colour and reduces in efficacy when exposed to air. To make the stable, skin-friendly version of squalane, the oil must be hydrogenated, which transforms it from an unsaturated to saturated oil.

Squalane: The squalane oil version used in Kiehl’s skincare is derived from plants, making it a more ethical alternative to traditional squalene. Better still, squalane has a longer shelf life than squalene, and is more resistant than the latter to heat and oxidation.

1. Fortifies the skin moisture barrier

A healthy complexion begins and ends with the skin moisture barrier.

Housed within the stratum corneum, this all-important layer has two key functions: keeping the skin well-lubricated with lipids and water; and shielding your skin from harmful aggressors like UV rays, pollution, and other environmental stimuli.

If you have a damaged skin moisture barrier, there can be many contributing factors: such as improper skincare products, inclement weather, sun damage, and even stress.

So, how does squalane benefit the skin moisture barrier? Applying squalane-rich skincare to your skin gives it that added layer of protection. Think of squalane like a second shield that helps preserve your natural oils, reduce dryness, and prevent transepidermal water loss.

3. Regulates oil levels without clogging pores

You’re probably thinking, what does squalane do for skin that already has enough natural lipids – like oily, blemish-prone and combination skin? We understand that moisturising typically oily skin or blemish-prone skin can be tricky to get right, but this skincare step is just as important for these skin types.

Excessive oil flow and breakouts are due, in part, to imbalanced moisture. By implementing healthy moisturising properties, then, you can regulate your skin’s natural oil production. Squalane-infused moisturisers are an ideal option for this, as the oil is non-comedogenic – meaning it won’t clog or block your pores.

5. Targets visible signs of ageing

As our body’s natural production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and squalane depletes with age, the skin becomes more prone to dryness. This means a lack of moisture in the skin – which exacerbates and magnifies the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Given that squalane benefits the skin by supplementing hydration, it enables moisture to more deeply absorb into the skin: reducing visible signs of ageing by smoothing texture and increasing suppleness. Adding squalane into your anti-ageing skincare routine can help:

• visibly minimise wrinkles around the eye area
• visibly minimise the appearance of crow’s feet
• improve skin’s firmness and elasticity.