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What is Squalane and What Are Its Benefits?

Discover 5 skincare benefits of Squalane and how to integrate it into an easy 3-step skincare routine for hydrated skin.

What's in this article:

What is Squalane?

Squalane is a natural oil derived from Squalene, a substance part of the sebum produced by your sebaceous glands, to keep the skin hydrated and protected. It's lightweight and absorbs quickly, offering hydration, protection glow to the skin.

Understanding the potential of Squalane is essential for optimising your skincare routine. Plus, its compatibility with all skin types makes it a versatile addition to any regimen.

Differences Between Squalane and Squalene

Squalene, naturally occurring in our skin's sebum, maintains skin moisture and protection. However, when exposed to air or light, it can be unstable, so it is not used in cosmetics.

Squalane is more stable and suitable for skincare. It can be obtained via an hydrogenation process from the Squalene found in abundance in olive oil. It can also be obtained sustainably from a fermentation process of the sugarcane, thus offering an eco-friendly skincare option.

5 Squalane Benefits for Skin

Squalane has a wide range of benefits to the skin:
young woman using NIVEA Micellar Water Regenerating + 5% Serum with Panthenol & Squalane
  1. Moisturisation:
    While locking in water within the skin and leaving it feeling soft and supple, squalane helps to maintain hydration.
  2. Protection:
    Squalane creates a protective barrier on your skin, shielding it from environmental pollutants and irritants. Using Squalane provides an additional layer of protection against environmental stressors.
  3. Compatibility: 
    Squalane, being non-comedogenic and lightweight, does not leave the greasy feeling on the skin and does not clog pores, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. It can be used to improve the hydration, suppleness and softness of the skin prone to dryness, redness, itching, and breakouts.
  4. Pairable with other ingredients:
    Paired with Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane helps to lock in the water that Hyaluronic Acid attracts, boosting the hydrating effect. Because of its stability, it is also compatible with most cosmetic ingredients.
  5. Skin texture improvements: 
    Regular use of Squalane helps to hydrate, nourish, and strengthen the skin's natural barrier, enhancing texture and appearance for a brighter, radiant, and youthful-looking glow.
Facts Overview

Squalane:

Formation: Squalane is derived from Squalene, a natural compound found in your skin's sebum, which helps keep the skin moisturised and protected.

Benefits: Squalane keeps the skin hydrated, while its lightweight texture suits all skin types. Squalane also creates a protective barrier, shielding against environmental pollutants leaving the skin soft and supple.

Use: Squalane can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine, either used on its own, or as an ingredient in cosmetic formulas of cleansers, serums or moisturisers.

Application: Thanks to its light texture, Squalane is easy to apply and absorbs quickly without leaving oily residue.

Skin care routine with a touch of Squalane

How to incorporate Squalane skincare products into your skincare routine

1. Cleanse:

Start your skincare routine by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any impurities and prepare the skin for the next steps. 

When used in the evening routine, the NIVEA Micellar Water Regenerating + 5% Serum with Panthenol & Squalane effectively removes makeup, dirt and impurities, deeply cleanses the skin and helps to recharge it overnight. This micellar water helps to provide skin essential care during the evening routine and is good for sensitive and tired-looking skin.
NIVEA Cleansers
young woman using NIVEA Micellar Water Regenerating + 5% Serum with Panthenol & Squalane

2. Treat:

After cleansing your face, you can apply targeted treatments that penetrate deeper into top layer of the skin to provide extra skincare benefits. During this stage, the skin is more receptive to the active ingredients found in treatments. 

If you want to apply squalane in oil form, that's when you should apply it. 

If you're looking for targeted action against wrinkles, a lifting effect or anti-pigmentation spot action, you can choose the serum best suited to your needs from our range.
NIVEA Serums

3. Moisturise:

Moisturising is essential to replenish your skin's moisture barrier. Apply a suitable moisturiser to your face and neck, to get a soft, smooth and nourished skin day and night. NIVEA provides a variety of moisturisers to meet the needs of different skin types.
NIVEA Day Creams

4. Protect with SPF:

Applying sunscreen daily is crucial to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, preventing premature ageing and skin damage caused by the sun. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply it evenly to your face and any exposed areas of skin.

NIVEA Face Sunscreens

Summary

Squalane, which is derived from Squalene, is an oily substance with a lightweight texture, that is absorbed quickly leaving a non-greasy feeling. Its multiple benefits include maintaining hydration and protection against environmental stressors. This versatile ingredient pairs well with others, making it easy to integrate into your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does Squalane act on your skin?

Squalane penetrates the epidermis deeply, to maintain hydration without leaving a greasy residue. It forms a protective barrier, shielding the skin from environmental pollutants and water loss.

Is Squalane more efficient than Hyaluronic Acid?

Both Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid offer unique benefits to the skin and can be used together. Squalane is an emollient that penetrates the skin epiderm in depth and forms a protective barrier, limiting insensible water loss, making it ideal for dry or dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic Acid attracts water to the skin and is suitable for all skin types, offering hydration in a lightweight formula.

What is the best way to use Squalane?

The best way to use Squalane in pure oil form is to incorporate it into your skincare routine after cleansing and toning. Apply a few drops of Squalane to damp skin, gently massaging it in until absorbed. Follow up with your moisturiser and sunscreen during the day for added protection. Squalane can also be used as a mixture in formulas for cleansing products, serums or moisturisers for enhanced hydration and benefits.

Can I put Squalane on my face every day?

Yes, you can use Squalane on your face daily as part of your skincare routine. It's gentle and suitable for daily use, providing hydration and protection to the skin without irritating it. Incorporating Squalane into your daily routine can help maintain healthy-looking and hydrated skin.

Does Squalane help with wrinkles?

The moisturising properties of Squalane may contribute to plumping up the skin. Additionally, thanks to its effect on the barrier function, it could also help to protect the skin from environmental damage, which may contribute to help against premature ageing. By incorporating Squalane into your skincare routine, you can help keep your skin to appear youthful and radiant. However, there is currently not enough research on Squalane reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to guarantee this effect.

Does Squalane have any side effects?

Squalane is considered safe for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, as it is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. It is unlikely to cause adverse reactions or sensitivities.

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