What can you mix with squalane?
- Squalane sits happily next to retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, vitamin C, niacinamide, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, copper peptides, bakuchiol, vitamin E, ferulic acid, AHA/BHA peel, sunscreen, mandelic acid, tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, snail mucin and centella asiatica.
What it does
Squalane is the saturated, hydrogenated form of squalene, a lipid that makes up a sizable share of human sebum. Hydrogenation makes it stable against oxidation, so it does not go rancid the way squalene can. On skin it acts as a light emollient that softens and helps slow water loss.[1]
Strengths
- An expert cosmetic safety panel concluded squalane and squalene are safe as used in cosmetics.[1]
- A review describes squalene's antioxidant and protective activities.[2]
- Its lightweight feel makes it a popular carrier for retinol and vitamin C.[2]
Who it suits
Dry, normal and combination skin, and anyone who wants a face oil that does not feel heavy.
Who should skip
Very acne-prone skin may still prefer a gel moisturizer. Check whether it is plant or shark-derived if that matters to you.[2]
How to start
Press two or three drops into slightly damp skin as the last step of your evening routine, or mix a drop into moisturizer for extra slip. It also softens cuticles and dry hair ends.
Because it is stable, a bottle lasts months without going rancid.
What we recommend
We haven't found a product that passes our check yet.
Pairing grid
In tracked products
2 of the 144 products we track list squalane as a key active; In their ingredient lists it sits at a median position of #1, from #1 in retinol 0.5% to #1 in retinol 0.5%; It is among the first five ingredients in 2 of them, meaning a main ingredient rather than a trace; The actives it most often shares a bottle with: retinol (2); Water is the first ingredient in 0 of them; the rest are oil, silicone or solvent-based. Product by product: Retinol 0.5% lists it first of 8 next to a stated 0.5% on the label; Retinol 1% lists it first of 8 next to a stated 1% on the label.
Moisturizer order
Usually after water-based serums: as the last step at night, or a few drops mixed into your moisturizer. In the morning, sunscreen still goes on top. Full layering steps.
Guides
All tracked products with squalane
Sources
Products with squalane, in pairs
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane + The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating TonerYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane + The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5Yes
- The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane + The Ordinary BuffetYes
- The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes, with care
- COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum + The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% + The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum + The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 + The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneYes
- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane + The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% SolutionYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA + The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneYes, with timing
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane + CeraVe Moisturizing CreamYes