The Benefits of Plant & Vegetable Based Squalane

Have you noticed your skin becoming drier and rougher as you grow older? It’s not just you…

Our body produces a lipid known as Squalane which plays an important role in ensuring healthy skin by keeping it hydrated, combating wrinkles and other signs of ageing while encouraging healthy skin cell turnover. However, the amount of squalene that is produced by our body reduces as we age and that’s when we notice our skin drying out and becoming rougher. 

While we can’t stop the natural ageing process, there are multiple options for topical application of squalene. A powerful moisturizer, it is found in many skin care products like creams, serums, and masks. The majority of squalane found in conventional products is typically procured and harvested from shark livers. However, there are vegan options out there since squalane is found in a number of plant oils, particularly concentrated in Olive Oil.

Both animal and plant squalane are too unstable to be used in skincare products and have to undergo a process of hydrogenation to convert it into “squalane” which is a stable form of the molecule. Used topically, squalane has so many amazing benefits for skin. It makes skin vibrant, healthy and deeply hydrated. Packed with antioxidants, it helps combat damage caused by environmental stressors and premature signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles. It boosts collagen production to make skin firmer while also detoxifying it to clear it of toxins. 

Despite being an oil, squalane is extremely lightweight and noncomedogenic which means it moisturizes without clogging your pores. This makes it a great option to hydrate acne prone and oily skin. With anti-inflammatory properties, it calms redness and prevents breakouts as well while penetrating deep within pores to hydrate skin. Odourless and colourless, it blends easily into skin care products with its light texture, creating a moisture barrier that helps to protect and heal dry, damaged skin. 

Squalane is great for hair as well. It moisturizes hair to increase shine and reduce breakage. Since the natural oils in hair reduce with age, squalane wonderfully replenishes your strands and protects your hair from further damage. Helpful for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, it can also be used to treat dry nails and cuticles as well. With its ability to enhance skin and hair care products, this is really a wonderful moisturizing oil to have on your night shelf.

Check it out in its pure forms on our website as well as infused in makeup and other skincare products.