If you are after clean and healthy-looking skin then I know that you would have a well-structured skincare routine that incorporates different products such as face wash, eye cream, moisturizer, serums and facial oils that all do different things for your skin but give you the same result which is a step closer to clear and clean skin.
Here are the best-selling Squalane products listed on Amazon with free delivery.
But you have heard of Squalane and wonder what it is or how you can use it, whether it will work with your skin or not!
Wanting to learn about more skincare products? Have a read through the guides below.
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Allow me to take away all your worries because, in this article, I will try and clear any misconceptions or questions that you may have. Sounds interesting? Let us begin.
What is Squalane?
One of the most basic and important questions that are asked about Squalane is what is Squalane? This is a face oil that is used as a treatment in order to hydrate the skin and make it supple as well as soft.
Our skin already has this oil naturally, but this helps to add more of this oil to the skin since it reduces as our bodies get older. The oil is very light in weight and it does not clog your pores when used. Squalane also helps to ensure that your skin is moisturized and does not lose any moisture.
The oil can also be used on hair as it helps to add shine and also prevent hair damage. When used on hair Squalane oil can help in keeping your skin healthy as well as preventing damage. It also helps in adding shine to your hair and keeping it soft. The oil can also be used to treat dry cuticles for a glossy and healthy look.
Squalane oil is a result of the Hydrogenation of Squalene. This simply means that Squalene is unsaturated but once the hydrogenation process occurs it is turned into Squalane which is a type of saturated oil. Due to its saturation Squalane is considered to be a stable oil. Apart from being found in our bodies, Squalane can also be extracted from plants.
Who can use this oil?
Squalane can be used by everyone. This oil can be used on all skin types. The oil can be used on dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and skin that is prone to acne. The oil does not cause any irritation on the skin making it suitable for those with sensitive skin. The oil can also be used by those people that do not like strong scents in their products because it is odourless.
What are the benefits of Squalane oil?
- The oil is very good for moisturizing the skin. The oil really improves your skin by making sure it is hydrated and moisturized. In addition to that Squalane is very good oil for plumping the skin and keeping it soft.
- The oil does not take long to absorb into your skin. This is because of its light texture.
- Squalane helps to prevent skin irritation. The oil is non-irritating and can therefore also be used by people with sensitive skin. The oil is also very useful if you have dry lips and the area around the eyes is dry.
- The oil is non-comedogenic, that is to say, you can use it without worrying about it clogging your pores because it does not clog your pores, the oil does not cause breakouts or acne.
- Squalane is a very stable oil and can also in controlling excess oil production in the skin.
- It also has healing and soothing properties; it can help in dealing with skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.
- The oil is antibacterial and therefore helps to deal with bacteria on the skin.
- Squalane also helps to prevent the skin from being damaged by free radicles and other factors hence reducing age spots, pigmentation and suns spots.
Do you use Squalane before or after a moisturizer?
Squalane is used before applying a moisturizer. This is because most moisturizers contain oils in their ingredients and this oil may act as a barrier keeping Squalane from penetrating the skin. Therefore, using squalane before applying a moisturizer will ensure that Squalane does not have any barriers keeping it from penetrating the skin.
Facial Oils are applied last because they seal in everything that you apply to your skin. But Squalane is an exception and it needs to be applied to the skin as close as possible so that it can easily penetrate into your skin for it to work.
This is because Squalane contains Retinol in its ingredients and Retinol requires that you apply it very close to the skin. Therefore, when applying facial oils ensure that those that contain active ingredients should be applied close to the skin and before you apply your moisturizer.
How to Use Squalane?
You can use this oil on top of facial cream or serum. You can also use this with your makeup and sometimes even mix it with your makeup. You can apply one to three drops of the serum. But this will greatly depend on how much moisture your skin needs.
You can use Squalane oil during the night and in the morning. Before applying Squalane make sure that your face is well-cleansed and patted dry before applying. You may also ensure that your face is well-exfoliated and cleansed. If you apply any active ingredients then you should apply them before you apply Squalane.
The next step is to apply serums or any other hydrating creams that you use. After they have been completely absorbed you can then take a few drops of the oil and apply it to your face.
Once the oil is completely absorbed into your skin, you can then apply a moisturizer. If you apply any make up the next step is to apply makeup. You may also choose to mix the oil in your makeup for more hydration and moisturization.
Features and details of Squalane
- Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Vegan formula
- Silicone-free
Ingredients
- Squalene: Squalene is the main ingredient found in this oil. Our bodies naturally have this ingredient. The ingredient is very helpful in keeping the skin hydrated.
Where does it come from?
Squalane can be found and extracted from plants such as olive, sugarcane and also rice bran. It is also naturally found in our skin.
Pros and Cons of Squalane
Pros
- Helps in keeping the skin hydrated
- Can be used on all skin types
- Makes the skin supple and soft
- Prevents the skin from losing water
- It does not clog pores
- It is cruelty-free and not tested on any animals
- It uses a vegan formula hence suitable for vegans
- Can be used on hair too to prevent damage and add some level of shine
- Can be used to deal with dryness around the eye area
- The oil does not contain any silicones
Cons
- None
How are oils different from moisturizers?
Moisturizers and oils both help in keeping your skin moisturized. But these two are not the same and they are different in many ways. For instance, oils are used to lock in moisture into the skin by creating a barrier whereas moisturizers help in keeping the skin moisturized but do not really create a barrier.
There are different kinds of moisturizers. Some moisturizers contain oil while others do not contain oil. Most moisturizers that do not contain oil are very suitable for those people with oily skin, these moisturizers include molecules that get water from the air into the skin.
Having both depends on the skin type of the person and how dry or oily it is. For those people with oily skin, a moisturizer that does not contain any oil would work just fine. For people with dry skin, they may need both depending on how dry the skin is.
Difference between Squalane and Squalene?
Squalene is produced in our skin whereas Squalane comes after squalene goes through a hydrogenation process. Squalene is produced by the oil glands in our body. It helps to keep the skin moisturized and protected from damage.
Squalane is the stabilized version of Squalene and it is included in most skincare products because of its stable properties. This means that when exposed to air squalene can easily lose its effectiveness whereas Squalane does not lose its effectiveness.
Who should not use Squalane?
The skin product can be used on all kinds of skin types even people with more sensitive skin, but it is recommended that those that have sensitive skin and have never used Squalane before should start by doing a patch test in order to be sure that they do not experience any strange reaction if they use the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I put Squalane on?
Squalane is an extremely versatile oil. Dermatologists recommend that you apply Squalane twice every day, in the morning and in the evening. These times are best as you will either be sleeping or getting on with your day which means that your fingers or hands will not have the opportunity to touch your face.
This will allow the oil to penetrate the skin and thus give you the results you want. It is also recommended that you apply Squalane to a clean face, preferably after you have washed or cleansed your face.
Can you mix Squalane and moisturizer?
Squalane can be mixed with moisturizers for added benefits as creams, serums and moisturizers all contain active ingredients that allow the oils to sink into the skin and be the most effective. Squalane can be layered with a moisturizer to give your skin longer-lasting benefits such as reduced redness, inflammation, pigmentation and overall a clearer look and feel.
Where does Squalane go into my skincare routine?
Squalane is safe enough to be used every day. It can be added as a step in your day or night skincare routine. In the morning, it can be applied after you have washed your face and applied eye cream or any serum that you may have. After applying Squalane, you can then finish the step off with a moisturizer and then sunscreen to protect from the Sun’s harmful rays.
In the evening, it can be applied after you have washed your face and applied eye cream, serum, facial oil and moisturizer to seal all the moisture in. Sunscreen is not involved in this step because you won’t need protection from the Sun`s rays unless you are sleeping outdoors.
Overall, Squalane is versatile enough to fit in anywhere in your skincare routine, whether that be morning to night routine.
Conclusion
Squalane is a result of a hydrogenation process of Squalene. We see that Squalane is naturally found in our skin and it can also be extracted from plants. It is very good at keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. Squalane helps to ensure that the skin does not lose any water.
Squalane is also non-comedogenic meaning it does not clog your pores when you use it and it can be used on any skin type. The oil also helps to protect the hair against damage and it also adds shine to the hair.
Squalane is used before applying a moisturizer because it contains some active ingredients that need to stay close to the skin so that they can easily penetrate the skin and perform their functions properly. Therefore, always take note of applying Squalane before you apply any moisturizer.
Generally, most moisturizers may contain some heavy oils in them that may seal anything into the skin and if Squalane is applied after the moisturizer it might not be able to do its work. Anyone can use this oil on every skin type. Regardless of whether your skin type is oily, dry or sensitive skin.
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