Posted on March 7, 2024<\/em> Written by: 100% PURE\u00ae<\/em><\/p>\n As our understanding of skincare has advanced over the past few years, we\u2019ve become especially invested in \u2018actives\u2019 in products. Actives are clinically proven ingredients that can treat a specific skincare issue, like retinol<\/a> for anti-aging concerns and vitamin C<\/a> to lighten dark spots. And, while actives are great, they make it easy to overlook some ingredients that are just as valuable. Enter squalane! <\/p>\n As the active and more stable form of squalene (found in human sebum), squalane is an ingredient that\u2019s been around for a while, especially in the medical field to treat wounds. But we often don\u2019t hear what squalane can do for your skin, especially when it comes to its exceptional barrier support and anti-aging benefits.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s delve into the BIG benefits of squalane and break down the key differences between squalane and squalene<\/em> because, yes<\/em>, they are two different things. We\u2019ll even provide some of our favorites in squalane skincare \u2013 plus we\u2019ll \u2018dive\u2019 into where squalane comes from \u2013 it may shock you – and why we tend to choose certain sources over others!<\/p>\n Before we get into the details of squalane, it\u2019s helpful to first talk about \u2018squal(e)ne\u2019, which has a spelling difference of one single vowel. Squalene is a compound naturally produced by our bodies and helps the skin stay healthy. It\u2019s fatty, rich, and helpful for keeping skin supple and moisturized. <\/p>\n But our own natural squalene supply starts to rapidly decline in our early 20\u2019s \u2013 by middle age, it’s virtually non-existent. Why is this a big deal? Squalene is instrumental in securing the skin\u2019s moisture barrier, while supporting healthy skin aging. So, it sounds like something we should slather all over \u2013 or is it? <\/p>\n When it comes to how squalene is sourced, you may not be ready for the truth: this ingredient is actually sourced from shark livers<\/a> \u2013 which is something we\u2019d never condone for any reason! Aside from the cruelty that goes into its sourcing as a skincare ingredient, squalene is also prone to oxidation. It can rapidly spoil when exposed to oxygen. Consequently, squalene<\/em> must be hydrogenated, which effectively creates the ingredient known as squalane<\/em>.<\/p>\n Squalane is a stable, non-comedogenic oil that\u2019s incredibly lightweight and easy to absorb. That makes it a stellar skincare ingredient. Luckily, we don\u2019t need to hunt sharks to source it. With the technology we have these days, we can actually source squalane from plants instead \u2013 mainly from olives and sugar cane. That makes it a great vegan ingredient choice for our products.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n While squalane may not be the first active we think about when it comes to skin care, its beauty benefits alone help it stick out. It’s celebrated for its exceptional moisturizing properties and ability to mimic the skin’s natural oils. Because it’s similar to the skin’s natural oils, squalane helps to restore the lipid barrier, aiding in moisture retention and protection against environmental stressors. <\/p>\n In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, squalane\u2019s excellent absorption qualities means no greasy residue. Once absorbed, it helps to replenish the lipid layer, fighting off dryness and promoting a healthy, hydrated, and radiant complexion. And, there\u2019s more BIG skin-efits of squalane!<\/p>\n #1: Barrier Support But squalane does far more than moisturize \u2013 it also helps support the skin barrier<\/a>. And this is important because the barrier plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from UV damage, pollution, and contagions. But that\u2019s one aspect of maintaining a healthy and hydrated complexion. <\/p>\n The journey towards optimal skin health also starts with healthy coverage against UV rays and environmental aggressors. Enter our Fruit Pigmented 2nd Skin Foundation<\/a>! This antioxidant-rich serum foundation is designed to look and feel like a second skin, with ultralight olive squalane and pure fruit pigments. It provides the perfect amount of moisture while absorbing into the skin for a lightweight finish.<\/p>\n #2: Antioxidant Properties And, when added to skincare products, stable squalane can help neutralize free radicals in the skin. That potentially helps to keep skin stronger and healthier-looking in the long run, as well as help ward off premature aging. But squalane or not, your true free-radical fighter is going to be using sun protection!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for more protection from both free radicals and<\/em> UV damage, our vegan Green Tea SPF 30<\/a> is a natural sunblock that pulls double duty, with its protective and anti-aging properties of green tea, plus powerful antioxidant benefits from vitamin E to neutralize free radicals and environmental damage. <\/p>\n #3: May Diminish Signs of Aging And since the neck is one of the first areas of the skin to show signs of aging, we recommend adding a neck cream into your skincare routine. It\u2019s preferable to choose one with the emollient, repairing properties of squalane, along with retinol’s clinically proven anti-aging benefits. <\/p>\n With that being said, our Retinol Restorative Neck Cream<\/a> is a great place to start. This youth-revitalizing neck cream promotes elasticity for a firmer, more lifted neck. Retinol reduces appearance of lines and wrinkles, while olive squalane and hyaluronic acid enhance plumpness and suppleness for as smoother and more toned neck.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n for more blog updates and exclusive discounts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As we explained above, the body naturally produces squalene \u2013 specifically in the sebaceous glands. It acts as a lipid to hydrate the skin\u2019s barrier to keep it healthy and hydrated.<\/p>\n But unfortunately, our bodies\u2019 natural squalene production levels tend to drastically lower after the age of 30. This means skin may become dryer, which can exasperate the signs of aging and, also, increase the likelihood of premature aging. Because of this, squalene derived from other sources becomes an attractive solution.<\/p>\n However, squalene is unstable in its natural state. So, we must hydrogenate it to stabilize it. That basically entails adding a hydrogen molecule to the structure. Once squalene has been properly hydrogenated, it becomes squalane<\/em>, which offers all of squalene\u2019s benefits in a safe, stable form.<\/p>\n For decades, shark liver was the most common source of squalene in the world, and it has significantly contributed to their exploitation in the wild. But as more awareness is raised about this ethical issue, more brands have turned away from shark liver. These days, more brands derive their squalane from plants, like rice bran, sugar cane, wheat germ, and olives.<\/p>\n When it comes to beauty, there\u2019s no shortage of squalane being used in makeup and skincare products! Many of us choose to benefit from it in a concealer for any imperfections to pair with their natural foundation. Our Fruit Pigmented 2nd Skin Concealer<\/a> is a vegan and cruelty-free concealer that features olive squalane and gives you effortlessly blendable and buildable coverage with a soft, satin finish that looks and feels like a second skin. <\/p>\n To help banish redness or color-correct dark areas, our 2nd Skin Corrector<\/a> is an ultra-blendable color corrector that\u2019s made with hydrating olive squalane and natural pigments to banish redness, brighten your complexion, and correct dark circles.<\/p>\n Because of squalane\u2019s recorded emollient properties, individuals with dry, sensitive, and mature skin types may find that they especially benefit from squalane in their beauty routine. Check out below for our favorite skincare products featuring olive squalane! <\/p>\n We source wholesome ingredients that utilize the power of either plants or clean, synthetic alternatives to conventional ingredients. We\u2019re doing our part to better the beauty community by including olive-derived squalane in our formulas. This olive substitute is better for the ecosystem and for your skin!<\/p>\n Olive squalane is created as a natural byproduct during the refining process of olive oil. During the process of hydrogenation, squalane becomes a lighter form of olive oil squalene that is much more stable. It helps to boost cell regeneration, which aids in eliminating age spots and scars, tightening the skin, and maintaining a youthful appearance. It also helps to soften rough skin, repair sun damage, and heal skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.<\/p>\n In addition to the same benefits popularized by shark squalene, olive squalane is completely shelf stable in comparison to its alternative.<\/p>\n Here are a few 100% PURE products that feature olive squalane:<\/p>\n Watermelon Cucumber Water Locking Mist<\/a><\/p>\n This ultra-hydrating water mist naturally reinvigorates dehydrated skin cells and reduces signs of aging by locking in cactus juice, watermelon hydrosol, and moisture-locking hyaluronic acid. It includes moisturizing Irish Moss Extract and antioxidant olive squalane to provide long-lasting hydration without a greasy feel.<\/p>\n Watermelon Cucumber Water Locking Serum<\/a><\/p>\n Our intensely hydrating hydrogel serum locks in watermelon hydrosol to revitalize dehydrated skin cells with skin-plumping polyglutamic acid from fermented natto beans and moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid \u2013 plus antioxidant olive squalane to provide long-lasting hydration without a greasy feel.<\/p>\n Watermelon Cucumber Water Locking Moisturizer<\/a><\/p>\n Our hydrating moisturizer locks in watermelon hydrosol and polyglutamic acid to naturally restore skin elasticity, promote cell regeneration, and reduce signs of aging \u2013 plus antioxidant olive squalane to provide all-day hydration with a non-greasy feel.<\/p>\n Green Tea EGCG Serum<\/a><\/p>\n This lightweight, hydrating serum is concentrated with EGCG, the key antioxidant in green tea that can delay signs of aging, and caffeine to tone, brighten, and depuff – plus antioxidant olive squalane to provide all-day hydration with a non-greasy feel.<\/p>\n
As we touched on above, squalene is naturally produced by our skin to help keep it healthy, and one of its main functions is to moisturize. But as we\u2019ve noticed to be the case for most helpful substances in our skin, squalene\u2019s production diminishes with age. That makes products with squalane especially beneficial.<\/p>\n
The squalene produced by our bodies also plays another role in supporting skin health. Both squalane and squalene possess antioxidant properties<\/a>. As a result, they help defend the skin from environmental pollutants and oxidative stress. However, since squalane is more stable, it won\u2019t oxidize like squalene making it an ideal beauty choice.<\/p>\n
With all of squalane\u2019s potential protective and restorative effects, it\u2019s really no surprise that squalane may help diminish signs of aging<\/a> altogether. It’s an excellent emollient, meaning it softens and smooths the skin, making it feel plumper and suppler. As we know, collagen and elastin start to diminish with age.<\/p>\nNewsletter Subscribe<\/span>
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