Although squalane was discovered a long time ago, the constant search in the beauty world for effective active ingredients has led to a renewed interest in this molecule lately. Today we reveal 12 interesting facts about this wonderful ingredient.
My fascination with squalane began during my student days. I remember my professor talking about it in class and demonstrating its great affinity with our skin, as it is one of the key components of human sebum. It's no wonder, then, that I fell in love with this ingredient at first sight and decided to include it as one of my 12 natural extracts that I use for Twelve Beauty formulations. Some of its properties are not very well known, so today I'm sharing them with you, hoping you find them as fascinating as I do:
1# Abundant in the natural world, it was initially discovered in large quantities in shark liver. In fact, its name comes from the word "squalus," which means shark in Latin.
2# At Twelve Beauty, we use 100% plant-based squalane (in our case, extracted from olive oil). However, peanut oil and wheat germ oil are also excellent sources, along with shea butter.
3# It is film-forming, so it can reduce water evaporation from the skin.
4# Squalane has proven very effective in protecting the skin from harsh detergents, microorganisms, and even UV rays.
5# It is often considered an ingredient that helps delay skin aging, as it prevents the skin from drying out. Dehydrated skin is the antechamber to fine lines and wrinkles.
6# In the ingredient list, it may appear as "squalene," which is a less oxidation-prone version.
7# It is one of the best vegetable oils for penetrating the upper layers of the skin and reinforcing the activity of other active ingredients present in the formula.
8# It works wonders for acne-prone skin thanks to its antioxidant capacity.
9# It is also a very useful ingredient to incorporate into your beauty routine if you suffer from hyperpigmentation.
10# The natural production of squalane in the human body decreases as we age, therefore, this ingredient is a must for maintaining optimal skin barrier function.
11# It can be used at any age.
12# Most formulas and studies only discuss the cutaneous use of squalane, however, it also works very well for hair.
