What is Squalane and What Are Its Benefits?

Discover the skincare benefits of Squalane and how to integrate it into your skincare routine.

Read Time: 4 minutes

What is squalane?
Differences between Squalane and Squalene
3 Squalane benefits for the skin
Facts overview
Incorporating Squalane into your skincare routine
Summary
Frequently asked questions

What is Squalane?

Squalane is a stabilized saturated oil derived from Squalene, an oily compound produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands that helps keep the skin hydrated. A natural antioxidant, Squalane is a skin-friendly oil used in cosmetic products and has emollient properties.

Learn more about Squalane, why it’s important, and how to incorporate products formulated with it into your skincare routine.

Differences between squalane and squalene

Squalene, a naturally occurring lipid in the skin, acts as a natural moisturizer in the skin. However, when exposed to oxygen, it can be unstable and lead to spoilage, making it not an ideal ingredient to use in skincare products.

Squalane is created by hydrogenating and stabilizing Squalene, which makes it more suitable for skincare.

3 Squalane benefits for skin

Squalane offers numerous potential benefits for skin, including the following:

Hydration:

Squalane helps to increase hydration in the skin. Products formulated with Squalane may help moisturize the skin for a softer, smoother appearance depending on the formula.

Protection:

Since Squalane is an antioxidant, it helps to combat free radicals from the environment that can potentially damage the skin.

Compatibility:

Squalane is non-comedogenic and lightweight, meaning that it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on the skin and does not clog pores, and is considered safe for all skin types.

Facts Overview

Squalane

Formation: Squalane is derived from Squalene, a natural lipid found in the skin, which helps keep the skin hydrated and protected.

Benefits: Squalane can help keep the skin hydrated. Squalane also helps to protect skin against potentially damaging free radicals, and is lightweight and non-comedogenic, making it safe for all skin types.

Use: Squalane can be easily incorporated into your skincare as an ingredient in skincare products like cleansers, serums, or moisturizers.

Application: Squalane can be applied to the skin on its own as an oil, or in skincare product formulas. Follow directions on the packaging for any products containing Squalane that you’d like to use.

Adding Squalane into your skincare routine with NIVEA

Here are some ways you can add Squalane into your daily skincare routine:

Cleanser

Micellar waters offer gentle cleansing without needing to rub or rinse the skin, all while helping to maintain skin’s moisture. Dermatologically-tested, NIVEA Micellar Waters offer different formulas that help support different skin types, and offer the versatility of being a makeup remover and facial cleanser in one.

When used in the evening routine, NIVEA Skin Recharge Serum Infused Micellar Water with Panthenol & Squalane prepares the skin for overnight moisture replenishment and functions as an effective waterproof makeup remover and gentle cleanser. Enriched with 5% serum with Panthenol & Squalane and amino acid complex, this micellar water helps to recharge hydration within the skin’s moisture barrier. NIVEA Skin Recharge Serum Infused Micellar Water is dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested for sensitive skin.

NIVEA Serum Infused Micellar Water

young woman using NIVEA Micellar Water Regenerating + 5% Serum with Panthenol & Squalane

Day and night cream

Moisturizing is essential to help support your skin's moisture barrier and help keep skin feeling smooth and looking healthy. NIVEA’s day and night creams from the NIVEA Q10 collection also feature Squalane in their formulas:

NIVEA Q10 Moisture Replenishment Day Cream is uniquely formulated with Pure Q10, Argan Oil and Squalane to provide the care your skin needs for a young-looking and rejuvenated appearance. Specially made for dry to very dry skin, it improves firmer skin feeling in 2 weeks and visibly reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles in just 4 weeks.

Replenishment Day Cream

For nighttime moisture, try NIVEA Q10 Moisture Replenishment Night Cream. This moisturizing night cream for dry to very dry skin intensively nourishes the skin throughout the night for a younger-looking and rejuvenated appearance. Formulated with Pure Q10, Argan Oil and Squalane, it improves firmer skin feeling in 2 weeks and visibly reduces deep wrinkles in just 4 weeks.

Replenishment Night Cream

Summary

Squalane, which is derived from Squalene, is an oily substance with a lightweight texture, that is absorbed quickly leaving a non-greasy feeling. Its multiple benefits include maintaining hydration and protection against environmental stressors. This versatile ingredient is commonly used in moisturizing skincare formulas for easy incorporation into your day and evening skincare routine.

Squalane Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put Squalane on my face every day?

Depending on the product, you may be able to use Squalane on your face daily as part of your skincare routine. On its own, it's gentle and suitable for daily use, providing hydration to the skin. Follow the directions on the packaging of your daily skincare products that contain Squalane.

Does Squalane help with wrinkles?

While Squalane is not something that directly targets fine lines and wrinkles, the hydrating properties of Squalane may help to give a plumped appearance to skin experiencing temporary wrinkles from dehydration.

Does Squalane have any side effects?

Squalane is considered safe for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, as it is non-comedogenic. It is unlikely to cause adverse reactions or sensitivities, but if you’re using a product containing Squalane, be sure to review any other ingredients in the product formula.