Unlock The Secrets of Squalane for Skincare
Skincare has become an essential part of our everyday routine. Due to the excessive sun exposure, pollution, and hectic work schedule, skincare is now as essential as taking care of our health. But when it comes to skincare, the common names of ingredients that strike in our mind are: niacinamide, retinol, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and many more. But squalane’s benefits for the skin are rarely discussed.
Regardless of the lack of popularity, squalane is one of the most sought-after skincare ingredients of all time, making it a key component in developing effective skincare products.
In this blog, we are going to break down various aspects of squalane and squalane oil in order to give a clear idea regarding their effectiveness on our skin.
What is Squalane?
Squalane refers to a converted form of a lipid named ‘squalene’. It is a simple chemical compound that helps to make the natural oil or sebum, further acting as a moisturizer. It assists in slowing down the possible aging signs, making the skin appear youthful and radiant.
Difference between Squalane and Squalene
Before moving forward with the top squalane benefits in the next section, understanding the difference between squalane (with an a) and squalene (with an e) is important.
Squalane refers to the skincare ingredient derived from squalene, which has the same biological properties. However, squalene is considered to be a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon that is found in the sebaceous glands of our skin. Additionally, it is called a lipid responsible for forming 10% to 12% of sebum. The primary function of squalene is that it assists in building a barrier on the outer surface of the skin, further maintaining the cutaneous barrier.
On the other hand, squalane is derived from squalene by using a process called hydrogenation. In this process, hydrogen is added to the squalene molecules, resulting in the development of squalane.
Skincare product manufacturers use squalane to make various products for eliminating multiple skin-related problems.
Benefits of Squalane and Squalane Oil for Skincare
Squalane is the powerhouse among all the skincare ingredients. As an effective antioxidant, squalane has several skin benefits. Those include: hydrating, dark spot removal, elimination of temporary redness, and many more.
In this section, we are going to break down some of the key benefits of squalane and squalane oil for your skin. Those are as follows:
1. Provides a Hydrated Skin
Squalane is believed to be known as an effective emollient. Its small particles help to bridge the cell gaps, resulting in smooth edges of the skin. Consequently, the skin becomes more flexible, preventing cracks. Furthermore, squalane can develop an occlusive barrier on the skin, which can help to prevent the loss of water, making the skin hydrated in the process.
2. Prevents Skin Irritation
There are a few factors causing skin irritation. One of them is a disrupted skin barrier. A benefit of using squalane-containing products is that they can fix the barrier, leading to a better skin condition. This colorless and odorless skincare ingredient is considered one of the most non-irritating components used in developing skincare products, making it useful for various other skin types.
3. Non-comedogenic
The term ‘non-comedogenic’ refers to the products that prevent clogging the pores, significantly contributing to the prevention of acne breakouts. Although squalane oil may make individuals worry about acne breakouts, its lightweight nature and non-greasy texture make it suitable for all skin types, including oily skin.
4. Makes the Skin Smooth and Soft
Acting as a powerful emollient, squalane makes a significant contribution in providing soft and smooth skin to the users. The individuals using a squalane-based skincare product can feel the ingredient getting absorbed into the skin easily, without leaving any trace behind. Consequently, squalane is one of the most sought-after ingredients for getting smooth and soft skin. It is also considered to be the best ingredient for individuals with rough and uneven skin.
5. Eliminates the Signs of Aging
One of the most essential squalane oil benefits is that it can remove the visible aging signs, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dull and rough skin, and many more. Due to the excessive sun exposure and pollution, the free radicals and oxidative stress can cause significant damage to our skin. As a result, we often experience some of the significant aging signs, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dry skin, and others. Various skincare products containing squalane have a hydrating effect, helping to remove all the visible aging signs. Consequently, it can improve the overall skin appearance, making it look youthful and glowing.
How to Use Squalane Oil
Having a clear idea about the use of squalane oil is as significant as its benefits. So, here is a step-by-step guide about how to use squalane oil:
- At first, clean your face with a face wash suitable for your skin.
- Now, you can double cleanse the face with a toner for deep cleaning.
- You can apply a suitable serum if required. However, you can skip this part.
- The next step is to apply a few drops of squalane oil and massage with your fingertips. You can also consider using a moisturizer with squalane oil.
- If you use the oil in the morning, consider finishing the entire process by applying a suitable sunscreen to protect your skin from various environmental stressors.
Side Effects of Using Squalane
Squalane is considered to be safe for use for most of the people. However, it can cause skin allergies and irritation. So, it is advisable to go through a patch test before the application to understand its suitability for your skin. If you experience any skin redness, swelling, itchiness, or skin irritation, stop using the product.
It is also advisable to only opt for squalane oil derived from plants. So, beware of the squalane-based products containing any animal oil.
Squalane is one of the most unknown skincare ingredients, which can make the skin hydrated, soft, and radiant. Apart from its various benefits, one of the most essential things about this ingredient is its suitability for all skin types. So, read this blog to know about the various aspects of squalane, including its benefits, uses, and side effects, to make your skin look youthful and glowing.