Oil
Squalane
The closest plant-derived match to your skin's own sebum. Lightweight, non-comedogenic, and stable.
What it is
A hydrogenated form of squalene — a lipid your sebaceous glands produce naturally. Modern squalane is plant-derived (typically from olives or sugarcane), shelf-stable, and unscented.
How it works
Slips between corneocytes to seal moisture in without occluding pores. Because it mirrors what your skin produces, it does not feel like a foreign film on the skin the way mineral oil or heavy plant butters can.
Who it is for
All skin types, including oily. Particularly useful in oil cleansers (dissolves like-with-like) and as the final occlusive in dry climates or air-conditioned environments.
What to watch for
Squalane (with an 'a') is the stable form. Squalene (with an 'e') oxidises quickly and can clog. The 'a' matters.
Found in