Squalene and squalane are oily substances, non-polar, i.e. those whose molecules do not have negative and positive charges on their opposite ends (they are not polar).
According to the principle that polarized liquids dissolve only in polarized liquids, and non-polarized in non-polarized liquids - squalane and squalene are unable to dissolve in water that has polarized molecules.
Squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that naturally occurs in plants and living organisms. Squalane, on the other hand, is a derivative of squalene - its saturated version. They therefore have similar care and health effects.
Although squalane is formed as a result of squalene saturation, it is not the same substance. It is these subtle differences between these two hydrocarbons that make it squalane, not squalene, that is used in the production of cosmetics.
The basic difference between the compounds is the degree of saturation of their bonds. Squalene has several double bonds, making it an unsaturated hydrocarbon, while squalane has only single bonds and is a saturated hydrocarbon.
It is primarily squalene that occurs naturally in plants and living organisms, and squalane is obtained in the process of saturating squalene. The most valuable source of squalene is shark liver oil, as well as olives.
On the other hand, squalane is most often obtained through the process of fermenting sugar cane, completed by hydrogenating squalene.
Due to its anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-aging properties, squalene is used primarily for the production of supplements.
The use of squalene supplementation also helps maintain a healthy blood lipid profile – squalene lowers the level of LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.
It also helps remove non-polar xenobiotics (industrial toxins) from the body and supports the proper functioning of the immune system, bone marrow, lymph nodes and adrenal glands.
Squalane is appreciated primarily for its properties:
That is why it is often used in the production of hair and skin care products. In addition, products with squalane stimulate the production of collagen, which is particularly important in the case of mature skin, in which the production of this protein is no longer fully effective or has been completely inhibited.
Because squalane soothes inflammation and irritation, it is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics for acne-prone skin, as well as skin struggling with atopic dermatitis (AD) and eczema.
Squalane and squalene are both naturally derived, but their sources can vary significantly. Squalene is a naturally occurring lipid produced by our own skin cells, and is also found in various plants and animals.
Historically, squalene was extracted from shark liver oil, which raised concerns about sustainability and ethics. Today, however, plant sources such as olives, amaranth seeds, rice bran and sugar cane are commonly used to obtain squalene for cosmetic purposes.
Squalene, on the other hand, is a hydrogenated form of squalene. This means that squalene undergoes a saturation process to become squalane, which is more stable and suitable for use in skin care products.
Like squalene, squalane can be derived from both animal and plant sources, but ethical and sustainable practices have led to a preference for plant-based squalane.
The primary difference between squalane and squalene is their molecular stability. Squalane is an unsaturated oil, which makes it susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air and light.
This oxidation can not only reduce squalene’s effectiveness, but also potentially lead to skin irritation or the formation of harmful compounds.
Squalane, being fully saturated, is much more stable. It does not oxidize easily, meaning it has a longer shelf life and is less likely to cause skin irritation. This stability makes squalane a more beneficial ingredient in skincare formulations.
Squalane is an organic chemical compound classified as a branched hydrocarbon (compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms) aliphatic, i.e. those in which the carbon atoms do not form closed structures.
Squalane is a derivative of squalene, which is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon. Squalene is obtained mainly from shark liver. Small amounts of this ingredient are also found in human plasma and sebum, a substance secreted by the sebaceous glands located in the skin.
Squalane is a colorless, odorless, insoluble in water, poorly soluble in alcohols, but well in other fats, oily liquid. It is formed as a result of the saturation of squalene's double bonds.
It is a fairly stable compound that does not decompose under the influence of UV radiation or oxygen. In cosmetology, plant squalane is most often used, e.g. from amaranth, rice, wheat, but the most popular is squalane from olives.
This is a completely natural product, which is a 100% extract of olive oil and is created as a result of its extraction.
Squalane is an organic chemical compound that is part of the hydro lipid layer of the skin.
It is a liquid, which due to its consistency can be compared to dry oil. It is a raw material that shows high biocompatibility with skin cells, due to its natural occurrence in the sebum produced by the skin.
It is an ingredient characterized by a low degree of comedogenicity, thanks to which it does not burden the skin and does not cause the formation of blackheads.
In terms of active action, it ensures proper hydration of the skin and maintains its elasticity. In human organisms, squalane plays an important role as a precursor for the production of squalene, which is necessary for the production of cholesterol and steroid hormones.
Thanks to its physicochemical properties, it blends well in cosmetic formulas. It has many advantages, thanks to which it improves the condition of the skin.
Squalane is a viscous, colorless and odorless oily liquid with high chemical stability. Under standard conditions, it does not oxidize or become rancid.
Squalane has a number of properties beneficial to the skin:
This is an active ingredient that can be used in daily care. It does not require gradual introduction and can be a complement to many exfoliation treatments. It can be used for all skin types, but it works best for dry, dehydrated, sensitive or irritated skin.
Depending on the product with squalane you choose, everyone will have their own recommendations for use. Squalane is usually used as part of daily skin care. In its pure form, you can apply it to cleansed skin in the morning and evening, and then apply your chosen cream.
Squalane is widely used in cosmetology, as it is characterized by a natural affinity for the skin. You can use it when preparing cosmetics yourself, as well as benefit from its positive effects in ready-made preparations.
It is an ingredient in creams, masks, scrubs and facial tonics, hand creams, body butters and balms, emollients and lubricants. It is also added to scented cosmetics, as it effectively preserves aromas.
It is a component of anti-aging products designed to treat eczema and psoriasis, as well as protective lip balms. It is also found in the composition of bath fluids and shower gels, hair oils and conditioners, and serums for hair ends.
Although squalane is an oily liquid, it does not leave a greasy layer on the skin and absorbs very quickly. It is classified as light oil. Squalane is hypoallergenic and does not cause skin irritation even when used at 100%.
Squalane is particularly recommended for those with mature, dry, irritated, vascular, combination, normal and sensitive skin. It is best to start using squalane after the age of 25, because the level of its equivalent in sebum - squalene - decreases with age.
The content of squalene in sebum in a young person is between 10-15%. Squalane perfectly nourishes, moisturizes, softens, elasticizes the skin and slows down the process of wrinkle formation.
It restores radiance, reduces discoloration and strengthens the natural protective barrier of the skin (seals intercellular spaces). Accelerates the healing process of wounds and limits the formation of scars. It maintains moisture in the skin, preventing water from evaporating from the epidermis.
It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant effects - protecting the fatty layer of the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Squalane improves the transport of active ingredients contained in other cosmetics into the skin, especially vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q10.
This small molecule has a high affinity for the lipid structures of the epidermis, thanks to which it penetrates well into the deeper layers of the skin and acts as a carrier for biologically active ingredients soluble in fats.
Squalane is helpful in the case of skin irritation by solar radiation. It relieves pain and soothes burned skin. When used before sunbathing, it strengthens the skin's natural lipid barrier and has a preventive effect, significantly reducing the risk of skin irritation and redness.
Squalane eliminates the problem of chapped lips or dry, rough and cracked skin on the heels.
In addition to its positive effect on the skin, squalane has also been used in hair care, especially dry and dyed hair. It provides nourishment, hydration, eliminates the problem of split ends and dry scalp.
It also eliminates the problem of brittle nails. Squalane can be used for massage on its own or diluted up to 30% with other oils.
Squalane is not recommended for people with oily and problematic skin, as it can aggravate acne. It is a comedogenic substance that clogs the pores of the skin and can cause the formation of blackheads, which in turn exacerbates acne lesions.
Squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon, a triterpene (consists of six isoprene units - each with five carbon atoms, all in the E configuration); it is classified as a lipid (but is not a fat).
It is a component of the lipid coat of human skin and shark liver fat. It is a metabolic precursor of cholesterol and other sterols. It is one of the main components of earwax and skin sebum.
In chemical terms, it is a non-polar isoprene compound composed of 30 carbon atoms, which shows a great similarity to coenzyme Q10, for example.
Squalene was discovered by Japanese scientists in 1906. For years, it was mainly obtained from shark liver, which was reflected in its name, because squalus means dogfish.
However, its presence in human skin was not discovered until 60 years later, which became an impulse for further research and demonstration of its health-promoting properties.
Squalene, like other biologically active substances, has many important functions in our body. The most important ones include:
A number of health-promoting properties of squalene have been described. It has chemopreventive, antibacterial and antifungal effects.
It has been found that it can have a significant effect on preventing ischemic heart disease and delaying the aging process. Squalene also has the ability to bind free oxygen radicals, which, among other things, prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver.
In addition to the above-mentioned functions, studies have shown that squalene can also protect against the development of certain cancers, especially colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.
Squalene is synthesized in our body in small amounts, so to fully feel its beneficial effects on our body, it is necessary to supply it with diet or in the form of dietary supplements.
Importantly, squalene cannot be obtained synthetically, even for the production of pharmaceutical preparations, this compound is obtained from its natural sources. And where does squalene occur naturally in large quantities?
The main sources of squalene are:
Remember that shark liver oil contains several times more squalene than vegetable oils. The best solution is to use preparations containing this ingredient, both in liquid form and in capsule form.
It is also worth noting that shark liver oil is a by-product of fishing, because it is mainly done to obtain the meat, skin and cartilage of these animals.
As mentioned earlier, squalene has many health-promoting properties, so it is worth taking care of its presence in our diet. In most cases, however, it is not a sufficient source of squalene (the exception is the Mediterranean diet, rich in fish and olive oil), so it is worth considering appropriate supplementation.
The minimum daily requirement for healthy people is about 11 mg of squalene per day. Most preparations available on the market contain about 300 mg of squalene, which is the standard acceptable daily dose, although oncology patients are allowed to take up to 5000 mg per day.
According to research, regular daily consumption of squalene at a dose of 500-1000 mg/day helps regulate the body's lipid metabolism and reduces the risk of cancer.
Supplements with squalene are considered highly safe, even in high doses. In some people, only temporary side effects associated with taking squalene have been observed, such as loose stools or increased total cholesterol levels.
However, squalene supplementation is not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, which is due to the lack of sufficient research in this group.
