People are reading labels now more than ever. Honestly, it’s about time! Knowing what’s in the food we eat and the products we use every day should be standard.
Why does it matter so much, exactly? Well, let’s take skincare, for example. Knowing what’s in our beauty products helps us make way smarter choices for our bodies and long-term goals.
Plus, this is a total lifesaver when it comes to marketing fluff. When we know what hydrates, what irritates, and what truly works as advertised, we can build a routine that works with our skin—not against it.
In the past, we’ve explored so many skincare ingredients—and you’ve probably seen a few! From familiar favorites like allantoin and bisabolol to innovative picks like spirulina maxima and plankton extra—we covered it all.
Today, we’re covering new territory: squalane! You’ll find this ingredient on tons of products—but what does it actually do? And is it a miracle or an over-hyped myth? We’ll get into all that and more.
What Does Squalane Do for Skin? Benefits, Uses, and Tips
In this post, we'll break down what squalane is, what it does, and what products include it. We hope this guide (and the others on The Skinny Confidential Shop blog) will help you make your entire skincare super intentional and super effective.
What Is Squalane?
Squalane is a lightweight oil that helps strengthen the skin barrier and keeps skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. More specifically, it’s actually a natural moisturizing lipid produced by our skin.
While our bodies do make it naturally, sometimes, that’s not always enough. Age, stress, and environmental damage can all lower production, which is where this intuitive skincare ingredient comes in.
And when it comes to using squalane in products, beauty-brands will typically source it from plant-based sources—like olives, sugarcane, rice bran, and amaranth seed.
Here’s a super important thing to note, though: there’s squalane (with an A) and squalene (with an E). You’ve probably seen squalene on labels in the past, but it’s not nearly as common anymore. This ingredient was historically sourced from shark liver oil (yikes), which raised ethical concerns. Plus, it’s also unstable and can oxidize quickly, so it quickly fell out of favor.
Enter squalane, the stable form of squalene. It’s plant-derived, vegan, sustainable, and incredible for your skin.
Is Squalane Good for Skin?
Yes! It’s one of the most skin-friendly and versatile natural oils out there. It’s not greasy, it won’t clog your pores, and it’s almost identical to the lipids your skin already produces.
Oh, and no sharks were harmed in the making of modern squalane. So, all around, it’s a smart skincare ingredient for anyone looking to elevate their routine.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of squalane for skincare:
What Does Squalane Do for Your Skin?
Deeply Moisturizes
Since the body naturally produces squalane, the form you find in skincare products is generally super compatible with any skin type. Yes, dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin—you name it. And, a little goes a long way, sinking deep into your skin for the ultimate hydration.
Strengthens the Skin Barrier
Since our skin barrier is made up of lipids, using products that replenish these essential oils can strengthen the barrier and protect our skin in a major way.
This is huge because the moisture barrier locks in hydration and nutrients while keeping toxins and bacteria out. Maintaining the skin barrier prevents dryness, sensitivity, and irritation.
Smooths Texture
Squalane smooths skin by hydrating and plumping, softening rough patches and fine lines. As a lightweight emollient, it also fills in tiny surface gaps, leaving skin silky, even, and buttery soft.
Balances Oil Production
Squalane helps balance oil production because it mimics your skin’s natural oils. When your skin senses it already has enough moisture, it slows down its own oil production. This prevents excess shine and clogged pores.
And if your body isn’t producing enough oil, it can lead to dry, flaky skin. Squalane replenishes that lack of natural moisture with lightweight hydration that leaves your skin soft, smooth, and nourished.
Soothes Irritation
If you have sensitive skin, you’re probably no stranger to irritation—redness, flaking, and rough texture can show up out of nowhere. Squalane can help with all of that.
It deeply moisturizes to relieve dryness while strengthening the skin barrier, helping shield reactive skin from irritants. Plus, it calms inflammation that may be triggering any redness and pain!
Provides Antioxidant Protection
Squalane protects your skin from free radicals—the unstable molecules that cause damage and speed up signs of aging.
By neutralizing stressors that come from things like sun exposure and pollution, squalane helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles. The result is smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin.
How to Use Squalane Oil on Face
Cleanser
Cleansers, by nature, can be a little harsh on the skin. They’re doing their job (removing dirt, bacteria, and excess oil), but sometimes it strips everything away. As a result, skin can become dry, irritated, and sensitive.
Luckily, there are tons of cleansers out there that hydrate while they clean. Squalane and hyaluronic acid are two of the most popular moisturizers you’ll find in cleansers.
If you need recommendations, we love CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser and Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Face Wash.
Sunscreen
One of the best ways to get your daily dose of squalane is through sunscreen! For decades, all our sunscreens did was shield our skin from the sun… and clog our pores.
Now, brands make sunscreens that are lightweight, effective, and multi-tasking. They’re also packed with additional ingredients, like squalane, to both nourish and protect your skin.
The best squalane sunscreen on the market is The Skinny Confidential Caffeinated Sunscreen. With lots of extras like spirulina maxima extract, plankton extract, caffeine, and squalane, this tinted mineral sunscreen is perfect for everyday use.
Speaking of SPF, this should definitely be a non-negotiable step in your skincare routine. (Especially because you can reapply sunscreen over makeup without ruining your look!)
To learn more about why it’s so important, check out “What’s the Difference Between Sunscreen and Sunblock?”
Moisturizer
You can find squalane in a wide range of moisturizers, from lightweight gels to richer creams and facial oils. As a lightweight emollient, it locks in hydration, smooths skin texture, and mimic’s your skin’s natural oils. Basically, brands that add in this ingredient are really supporting your goal of getting a glowy, radiant complexion.
Squalane is one of the best hydrating ingredients to put in a lotion, body butter, and moisturizer. One of our favorites is Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer.
Curious about how much hydration you actually need? Here’s how often you should moisturize your face.
Serum
Serums are great because they help you add layers of hydration and other anti-aging ingredients into your skincare routine.
And, depending on the targeted purpose of your serum, it may include squalane oil. Look for serums formulated to hydrate or balance the skin, like Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Facial Oil and The Ordinary 100% Squalane.
As soon as you add this ingredient into your routine, make sure to check out “Do You Put Face Oil on Before or After Moisturizer?” Trust us, structure matters just as much as the products.
Squalane is a natural, moisturizing ingredient that belongs in your skincare routine.
Taking the time to read the ingredients in your beauty products helps you shop intentionally and make the most of your routine. When you know what’s in your products—like squalane—you can choose formulas that truly support your values and unique skincare needs.
For more high-quality skincare and wellness products, visit The Skinny Confidential Shop. You’ll find all of the must-have skincare tools, products, and resources to help you elevate your routine.
