Even if you have never heard of squalane, there is a high chance it will quietly become an essential part of your routine, as it is gradually becoming the new “top” ingredient in many cosmetic products. It provides the skin with deep and powerful hydration and has antioxidant properties that protect the dermis from free radicals.
You can find out exactly what squalane is from the following lines.
What is squalane?
Squalane is a refined moisturizing oil with a molecular structure close to that of lipids in human skin. For this reason, it is easily absorbed without leaving greasy residues.
It is most commonly used in emollients due to its ability to strengthen the water-lipid barrier and retain moisture in the dermis for a long time. The end result of its use is smooth and soft skin.
Besides being beneficial for the skin, squalane is also a natural component of it. It is abundant in skin lipids, but its natural synthesis slows down with age. The skin becomes drier, rougher, and more susceptible to external influences. When applied topically, cosmetic products containing squalane maintain its levels and give the skin a healthy and smooth appearance.
Is there a difference between squalane and squalene?
Although undoubtedly related, squalane and squalene are not the same thing. They differ not only in the vowel but also in their chemical structure.
Squalene is a natural component of the skin and makes up about 15% of skin lipids. It was discovered in 1906 by the Japanese chemist Mitsumaru Tsujimoto and began to be studied for its application in cosmetics and medicine.
In the past, the cosmetic industry extracted it from shark liver. This is where its name comes from – squalus, which in Latin means "shark". For ethical reasons, today alternative plant-based sources such as olive, rice bran, wheat germ, and sugarcane are used, which are equally effective.
Squalene is very unstable and oxidizes quickly. This leads to the production of squalene peroxides, which have pro-inflammatory and comedogenic effects. To avoid this, plant-based squalene undergoes a hydrogenation process to produce squalane, which is non-comedogenic and stable against heat and oxidation.
Because of these qualities, it is extremely compatible with the skin, has a light and silky touch, and an unobtrusive scent.
Benefits and advantages of plant-based squalane
For years, oils have been blamed for being comedogenic, greasy, or having a difficult-to-absorb texture. However, none of these characteristics apply to squalane and the benefits of its use.
Its main function is to maintains the hydrolipid barrier, which protects the skin from external agents and prevents moisture loss. This promotes the optimal balance of hydration and delays premature aging of the dermis. Squalane stimulates regeneration cell stimulation and collagen production, thus improving the overall condition of the skin.
Squalane is a highly valued ingredient in emollients, which aim to soften and hydrate the skin. In the formula of the emollient balm from the Atopity series some of the benefits it brings to the skin are:
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Supports the healing of the skin barrier;
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Maintains hydration and retains moisture in the skin for a long time;
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It is easily absorbed by the skin without leaving greasy residues.
Squalane also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce redness and swelling of the skin after sun exposure. For this reason, it is often included in creams and serums.
It can be used on all skin types as it does not cause breakouts and does not clog pores. However, dry skin benefits the most from its properties due to its function to retains moisture in the dermis.
Although squalane is not new in the cosmetic industry, it is becoming an increasingly "trendy" ingredient and will appear more often on labels. And for good reason. The skin is your body's natural shield, pamper it as it deserves with quality cosmetics containing gentle and carefully selected ingredients.
Squalane / Squalane
Even if you have never heard of squalane, there is a high chance it will quietly become an essential part of your routine, as it is gradually becoming the new “top” ingredient in many cosmetic products. It provides the skin with deep and powerful hydration and has antioxidant properties that protect the dermis from free radicals.
You can find out exactly what squalane is from the following lines.
What is squalane?
Squalane is a refined moisturizing oil with a molecular structure close to that of lipids in human skin. For this reason, it is easily absorbed without leaving greasy residues.
It is most commonly used in emollients due to its ability to strengthen the water-lipid barrier and retain moisture in the dermis for a long time. The end result of its use is smooth and soft skin.
Besides being beneficial for the skin, squalane is also a natural component of it. It is abundant in skin lipids, but its natural synthesis slows down with age. The skin becomes drier, rougher, and more susceptible to external influences. When applied topically, cosmetic products containing squalane maintain its levels and give the skin a healthy and smooth appearance.
Is there a difference between squalane and squalene?
Although undoubtedly related, squalane and squalene are not the same thing. They differ not only in the vowel but also in their chemical structure.
Squalene is a natural component of the skin and makes up about 15% of skin lipids. It was discovered in 1906 by the Japanese chemist Mitsumaru Tsujimoto and began to be studied for its application in cosmetics and medicine.
In the past, the cosmetic industry extracted it from shark liver. This is where its name comes from – squalus, which in Latin means "shark". For ethical reasons, today alternative plant-based sources such as olive, rice bran, wheat germ, and sugarcane are used, which are equally effective.
Squalene is very unstable and oxidizes quickly. This leads to the production of squalene peroxides, which have pro-inflammatory and comedogenic effects. To avoid this, plant-based squalene undergoes a hydrogenation process to produce squalane, which is non-comedogenic and stable against heat and oxidation.
Because of these qualities, it is extremely compatible with the skin, has a light and silky touch, and an unobtrusive scent.
Benefits and advantages of plant-based squalane
For years, oils have been blamed for being comedogenic, greasy, or having a difficult-to-absorb texture. However, none of these characteristics apply to squalane and the benefits of its use.
Its main function is to maintains the hydrolipid barrier, which protects the skin from external agents and prevents moisture loss. This promotes the optimal balance of hydration and delays premature aging of the dermis. Squalane stimulates regeneration cell stimulation and collagen production, thus improving the overall condition of the skin.
Squalane is a highly valued ingredient in emollients, which aim to soften and hydrate the skin. In the formula of the emollient balm from the Atopity series some of the benefits it brings to the skin are:
Squalane also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce redness and swelling of the skin after sun exposure. For this reason, it is often included in creams and serums.
It can be used on all skin types as it does not cause breakouts and does not clog pores. However, dry skin benefits the most from its properties due to its function to retains moisture in the dermis.
Although squalane is not new in the cosmetic industry, it is becoming an increasingly "trendy" ingredient and will appear more often on labels. And for good reason. The skin is your body's natural shield, pamper it as it deserves with quality cosmetics containing gentle and carefully selected ingredients.