The skin care world is vast and constantly full of new products and buzzy ingredients to talk about. Sometimes the hype is, well, just that. Other times, however, the chatter is rightfully deserved.
Squalene, a natural substance your body produces to keep your skin lubricated, falls into the latter category, according to dermatologists we spoke to. Squalene can moisturize the skin and help keep your complexion feeling soft and smooth while also delivering anti-inflammatory benefits and calming redness and inflammation, says Dr. Marisa Garshick , a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell.
Many skin care products on the market today actually use squalane in place of squalene. Squalane — with an “a” — is another form of squalene with similar moisturizing benefits. Squalane is either made by adding hydrogen to squalene or it’s derived directly from plants.
It also has a longer shelf life than squalene, which is why it’s commonly used in skin care products. To help you determine if your skin could benefit from the extra moisture that squalene provides, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists about its benefits, who should use it and the best serums, moisturizers and oils you can buy with it. SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best squalene products in 2024 | The best squalene products in 2024 | Squalene versus squalane | Why trust NBC Select? We spoke with board-certified dermatologists about their favorite products with squalene.
We also asked them for tips and tricks on incorporating squalene-rich products into your skin care routine. Here’s what they recommend keeping in mind while shopping: The below products are all expert-recommended and have squalane as an active ingredient in their formulas. Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Rose Firming Oil If you have dry skin, Garshick recommends using this face oil daily in the morning before applying your SPF.
“It incorporates vitamin C, a known antioxidant, and squalane to offer brightening and hydrating benefits,” she says. “The result is an improvement in overall texture and tone.” You can add a drop or two to your foundation or apply it by gently massaging a few drops onto your face and neck.
Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Cream This Mele nourishing cream comes recommended by Garshick for its combination of squalane and niacinamide, which she says can improve dryness while evening out skin tone. The oil-free formula is lightweight, so it absorbs quickly and shouldn’t feel slick or greasy, according to Mele. Mara Sea Vitamin C Sérum Camp recommends this squalane-based serum for those dealing with hyperpigmentation .
It combines squalane with vitamin C to brighten and improve dark spots while keeping skin moisturized and soft, he says. It’s also formulated with adaptogens like reishi and ginseng to address redness and irritation, according to the brand. You can use it both morning and night after washing your face.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps “This body moisturizer contains squalane and glycerin, both of which help to provide moisture,” according to Garshick, who says that while this rich cream is very hydrating, her skin isn’t left feeling greasy. The fast-absorbing lotion works on all skin types, but is particularly good for those dealing with lots of dryness, according to the brand. Kiehl’s recommends applying it directly after bathing or showering, but you can also use it anytime you notice any dry patches.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane This serum has just one ingredient — squalane. It feels lightweight on the skin but still delivers a lot of hydration, plus it’s affordable, according to Garshick, who says you can just pat a few drops onto a clean face before using your go-to moisturizer. You can also use this solution on your nails or hair if you notice dryness in those areas, says Garshick.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask After your evening skin care routine, apply this overnight mask and go to bed. Squalane is the hero ingredient in this formula, so you’ll wake up with hydrated skin, says Camp. There’s no need to wash it off in the morning — just apply your daily moisturizer and SPF and you’re good to go.
It also absorbs quickly so it doesn’t rub off on your pillow, according to Camp. To keep your skin moisturized, you can use this once or twice a week, according to the brand. Indeed Labs Squalane Lightweight Facial Oil Similar to The Ordinary serum, this face oil is solely made of squalane.
While you may fear that using a facial oil will cause breakouts, Garshick says she has not experienced any while using this. A little goes a long way — you need just a drop or two to moisturize your entire face, according to the brand. Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil This face oil is designed to address fine lines, dryness and dullness.
It has squalane and prickly pear extract for hydration and acai extract to brighten, according to the brand. Youth to the People suggests applying a few drops of this oil, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 1,100 reviews on Sephora, to clean skin morning and night.
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream This lightweight cream, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 7,600 reviews on Amazon, combines jojoba, squalane and two types of hyaluronic acid for moisture. It feels cool upon application and leaves skin looking dewy, according to the brand.
This cream is also certified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which means the organization has vetted it and deems it free of chemicals they consider to be potentially harmful to you or the environment. Good Molecules Squalane Oil his oil can be used on your face, body and hair. It’s made from 100% olive-derived squalane and is unscented, according to the brand.
The oil, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, is suitable for all skin types and should be used after serum, but before SPF , according to Good Molecules. Derma E Ultra Hydrating Dewy Skin Serum Along with squalane, this serum contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to boost moisture and improve your skin barrier, according to the brand.
It is intended to be after cleansing your skin and can be used morning and night. The sulfate-free formula has a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,100 reviews on Amazon.
Before shopping for beauty products that have squalene, our experts recommend arming yourself with a few key pieces of information. Squalene is naturally produced by your body (by the sebaceous glands specifically) and helps keep your skin lubricated and moisturized. Squalene is also found in certain plants.
Squalane, on the other hand, can also be found in plants, and is commonly derived from squalene by adding hydrogen. Squalane is more stable and, therefore, easier to make skin care products with, says Garshick. Most squalane that is used in beauty products is sourced from plants like olive trees, sugar cane and rice bran.
Squalane, like squalene, is an emollient. “It can smooth small cracks and crevices that can make skin feel rough in texture,” says Camp. Along with softening and smoothing, it can help calm and soothe redness and irritation, says Garshick.
“Squalane is safe for most skin types. It can help hydrate dry skin or can help to balance sebum production for those with acne-prone skin,” says Camp. It is also safe to use while pregnant , adds Garshick.
Given that squalane can soothe inflammation and address redness, it is generally considered helpful for those with sensitive skin. Still, it’s a good idea to check with your dermatologist before using something new. Our experts also recommend incorporating any new ingredients slowly into your skin care routine, especially when you have sensitive skin.
If you have super oily skin, squalene-rich products may not be right. That’s because when you have oily skin, you may not need as much additional moisture as squalane delivers, says Garshick. Beauty brands will often pair squalane with other ingredients to improve the tolerability of any harsh ingredients, says Garshick.
“Because it is both hydrating and soothing, it couples particularly well with ingredients that have the potential to cause dryness or irritation, such as retinols,” says Camp. Retinol , a form of vitamin A, increases cell production. This can help unclog pores, exfoliate skin and boost collagen production, though it can be irritating and may also dry skin out.
Squalane can counteract this, says Camp. At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two board-certified dermatologists to gather their guidance on what to look for when shopping for beauty products with squalene. Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
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