Know Your Ingredients
Squalane is a common moisturizing ingredient in various skin care products, such as anti-aging cream, lip gloss, and sunscreen. It is derived from squalene, which is an oily substance found in animals, plants, and people.
Both squalane and squalene can help make your skin more supple, elastic, and moisturized, thereby reducing the visibility of fine lines and dry patches. Although squalene is oily, skincare products that contain it may still be safe for individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin. However, it is always recommended to consult with a dermatologist before trying any new product.
Squalene vs. Squalane
Squalene is a lipid naturally produced by your skin cells. However, as you age, the amount of squalene your body produces declines. Peak production of this natural moisturizer occurs in the teenage years, with production slowing down in the 20s or 30s. As a result, your skin becomes drier and rougher over time.
Scientists sometimes use squalene as an ingredient in certain vaccines, such as some COVID-19 vaccines. They add it to boost the body’s defenses, and these added substances are known as “adjuvants.”
Skin Protector
It’s essential to keep your skin and hair hydrated. While your body has a natural moisturizing system, it may not always be enough, especially as you age. This is why many people use external moisturizers. One such moisturizer to keep in mind is squalane. It mimics your skin’s natural oils, making it an excellent emollient. Additionally, squalane is a natural antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. It also has antitumor properties that can help protect your skin from carcinogens.
Apart from humans, squalene is also found naturally in olives, rice bran, and sugarcane. It can also be harvested from shark livers. However, animal and plant sources of squalene are too unstable for skin care products. When exposed to oxygen, it can become rancid and spoil quickly.
Before squalene can be used in skincare products, it needs to be hydrogenated into squalane, a more stable molecule form. Hydrogenation is the process of converting squalene from an unsaturated oil to a saturated oil (squalane). This process makes the oil more skin-friendly and increases its shelf life.
Some of our products that use squalane are Skin Polish, Sotoks, and our new Glitter Glaze liquid eye shadows. Now, how many other companies put hydrating ingredients in their eye shadow? Pretty awesome.
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