Squalane

INCI Squalane

Also known as plant squalane · olive squalane · hydrogenated squalene · perhydrosqualene

A weightless, stable oil modeled on a lipid in our own sebum; ours is plant-derived

Squalane is a lightweight, colorless oil made by hydrogenating squalene, a lipid the skin produces in its own sebum, which turns it into a stable emollient that softens skin and helps seal in moisture without a greasy film. VVBETTER uses plant-derived squalane, from olives in the Rejuvenating Squalane Mask, and in creams, cleansers and serums across the Purple and Green Lines.

Found in

What it is

Squalene (with an e) is a natural lipid: it makes up a notable share of human sebum, roughly a tenth, and is also found in olive oil, amaranth seed and, historically, shark liver. It is an unsaturated molecule with six double bonds, which makes it prone to oxidation once it is exposed to air and light.

Squalane (with an a, INCI: Squalane, C30H62) is the same carbon skeleton with those double bonds saturated by hydrogenation. The result is a clear, odorless, very stable oil that does not go rancid and spreads in a thin, silky layer. Cosmetic squalane today is mainly plant-derived, extracted from olive oil processing streams or made from sugarcane by fermentation; once purified, squalane from different plant sources is chemically the same molecule. Responsible brands avoid shark-derived squalane, and VVBETTER's is plant-derived.

Benefits for skin

Softens without greasiness

Fills in the small gaps between surface cells so skin feels smooth and supple, with a light, non-sticky finish.
Helps seal in moisture

Forms a breathable lipid layer that slows the evaporation of water brought in by humectants.
Skin-compatible

Its structure is modeled on a lipid skin already makes, so it is generally well tolerated, including by sensitive skin.
Stable in formulas

Because it does not oxidize easily, it keeps formulas fresh and suits products used over months.
A better glide

Improves how creams, masks and cleansing oils spread and feel during application.

How it works

Squalane is an emollient. It spreads into the surface of the skin and between the flattened outer cells, smoothing roughness and making the skin feel softer. On the surface it forms a thin, flexible lipid film that slows water loss, which is why it works best on top of, or together with, water-binding ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

It does not add water by itself and it is not an exfoliant or an active that changes how skin behaves; its value is comfort, texture and moisture retention. Because it is saturated, it avoids the oxidation that makes squalene less pleasant in skincare.

How to use it

Squalane fits morning and evening routines. In a cream or eye cream, apply it as your final skincare step, then sunscreen in the morning. As a pure oil, press two or three drops over a moisturizer or mix them into it. In a cleansing oil it helps dissolve makeup and sunscreen on dry skin before you emulsify with water.

It is compatible with almost every active, including retinoids, acids and vitamin C, and is often used to make those steps feel more comfortable. Apply it after water-based layers, not before, so it can seal them in.

Pairings

Pairs well with

Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid binds water; squalane helps keep it from evaporating.
Glycerin
The classic humectant-plus-emollient pairing behind most comfortable moisturizers.
Ceramide NP
Together they support the skin's lipid barrier and its comfortable feel.
Bakuchiol
Squalane is a natural carrier for oil-soluble actives like bakuchiol and keeps the routine soft.
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5)
A humectant and an emollient that together keep skin feeling smooth and calm.

Use with care

Heavy occlusive layers on oily skin
Stacking squalane under rich balms can feel heavy and shiny; keep layers light.

Who it suits

Suits dry, normal, combination, mature and sensitive skin. Oily skin often does well with squalane inside a light gel-cream or rinse-off cleanser rather than as a pure oil.

Good to know

It is not a hydrator on its own
Squalane seals; it does not supply water. On dehydrated skin, apply a hydrating toner or serum first.
Very oily skin
Although light, any oil can feel like too much on very oily skin. Use it in a gel-cream or a rinse-off product rather than as a pure oil.
Squalane vs squalene
Check the spelling. Squalene oxidizes readily, while squalane is the stable form used in skincare.
Source
Squalane can come from plants or sharks. Look for a plant-derived source if that matters to you; ours is plant-derived.

IN OUR FORMULAS

In VVBETTER

Where you will find it, how much the product record states, and what it works with in that formula.

Rejuvenating Squalane Mask

$12.29

Amount 100 ppm (0.01%), from olives

One of the mask's four plant-derived rejuvenating ingredients: olive squalane gives the essence its soft, comfortable finish.

Works with, in this formula

Marine-plant PDRN (vegan PDRN)Sits in the four-part complex with marine-plant PDRN (2,000 ppm), edelweiss callus extract and carrot-derived hydrolyzed extensin.
Hyaluronic acidThree types of hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan bring water in; squalane helps keep the skin feeling hydrated after the sheet comes off.
Ceramide NPCeramide NP and cholesterol add barrier lipids for skin that looks plumper and feels comfortable.

How to use it Leave on for 10–20 minutes, 2–3 times a week, preferably in the evening. Remove the sheet before it dries, pat in the remaining essence and follow with a cream.

View product

Firming Bakuchiol PDRN Serum

$24.00

Amount 100 ppm (0.01%), plant-derived

A supporting emollient in the serum's firming group, with adenosine and an EGF complex, for skin that looks smoother and feels supple.

Works with, in this formula

BakuchiolBakuchiol (1%) is oil-soluble; squalane helps keep the serum soft and comfortable for daily use.
AdenosineAdenosine (400 ppm), squalane and the EGF complex are grouped for skin that looks smoother and firmer.
Aloe vera (leaf water, juice and extract)A 60% aloe vera leaf water base supplies hydration that the lipids help hold.

How to use it Shake before use (the formula separates slightly at rest), then 2–3 pumps over the face, morning or evening.

View product

Firming Eye Cream

$31.00

Part of the moisture group that keeps the delicate eye area hydrated for longer.

Works with, in this formula

GlycerinGlycerin, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate supply water; squalane helps hold it on the thin eye-area skin.
BakuchiolBakuchiol (0.1%), eight peptides and adenosine handle the look of firmness on a comfortable base.

How to use it Twist the top, press once, dot around the eyes and pat gently, morning and night.

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Jeju Yuja Cera Balancing Cream

$16.90

Adds softness to a light gel-cream for oily, sensitive skin, without shine.

Works with, in this formula

Ceramide NPCeramide capsules (0.5%) support the barrier; squalane softens and smooths the surface.
MOISTURE TM BThe MOISTURE TM B moisture film, panthenol, hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan keep hydration lasting without heaviness.

How to use it Last step before sunscreen; a thin layer is enough for oily skin.

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Gentle Purifying Mud Mask

$22.00

Helps keep skin from feeling stripped after clay.

Works with, in this formula

Kaolin and bentonite claysBritish kaolin (10.5%) and American bentonite (4%) take up oil; squalane, panthenol and ceramide NP restore a comfortable feel.

How to use it 10 minutes for dry or normal skin, up to 15 for oily skin; rinse before the clay hardens fully.

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Gentle Deep Cleansing Oil

$24.90

Joins 21 plant oils to help leave skin soft rather than tight after the first cleanse.

Works with, in this formula

Sunflower seed oil and plant oilsSunflower seed oil (76.4%) dissolves makeup and sunscreen; squalane, panthenol, madecassoside and ceramide NP keep the after-feel soft.

How to use it Massage over a dry face, add water until milky, rinse, then follow with a water-based cleanser.

View product

Questions people ask

What is the difference between squalane and squalene?

Squalene is the natural, unsaturated lipid found in sebum and some plant oils; it oxidizes quickly in air. Squalane is the hydrogenated, saturated form, which is stable, odorless and the version used in skincare.

Is squalane good for oily skin?

Squalane is light and generally well tolerated, so many oily skin types can use it, especially inside a gel-cream or a rinse-off product. Pure squalane oil can feel like too much on very oily skin.

Is squalane moisturizing?

It helps skin stay moisturized by softening the surface and slowing water loss, but it does not add water itself. Use it with or after humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid for the best result.

Where does VVBETTER's squalane come from?

It is plant-derived. In the Rejuvenating Squalane Mask the squalane comes from olives, and the Firming Bakuchiol PDRN Serum uses plant-derived squalane (100 ppm in each).

Can I use squalane with retinol or acids?

Yes. Squalane is compatible with almost every active and often makes retinoid or acid routines feel more comfortable. Apply the active first and the squalane-containing product after.

References

General cosmetic information, not medical advice. Amounts come from VVBETTER product records; where a record names an ingredient without an amount, none is shown. 1% is 10,000 ppm.

Squalane

What it is

Benefits for skin

Softens without greasiness

Helps seal in moisture

Skin-compatible

Stable in formulas

A better glide

How it works

How to use it