It’s no secret that having moisturized skin is critical for good skin health, and while our bodies have a mechanism to keep our skins moisturized naturally, it tends to provide less hydration as we grow older. This is why many people resort to external moisturizers to keep their skin hydrated and slow down signs of aging.
One moisturizer that is worth knowing about is squalane. This emollient typically mimics the action of your skin’s natural oils in keeping your skin supple and hydrated. It also has antioxidant and anti-tumor properties that help protect your skin from carcinogens, thus minimizing the risk of skin cancer.
That said, squalane has plenty of other benefits besides being a skin moisturizer. So, in this post, we’ll explore some of the skincare benefits of squalane. But first, it’s important to understand what squalane is.
What Is Squalane?
Squalane is an emollient that works to prevent moisture loss from the skin, much like natural sebums found in the skin. In terms of chemical composition, squalane is a hydrocarbon, a group of ingredients primarily comprised of carbon and hydrogen. Although squalane functions in the same way as other hydrocarbons such as mineral oil and petrolatum, it is unique in the sense that it is derived from plants. This makes it a great alternative if you want to avoid petrochemical emollients.
Another unique aspect of squalane is that it is essentially a modified form of squalane that is naturally present in the sebum. For this reason, squalane is an ingredient that human skin recognizes and adapts to fairly easily.
For many generations, the squalene used in skin care products was derived from shark livers which are rich in the compound. However, due to ethical concerns about this practice, it has fallen out of vogue. Today the majority of skincare products from top cosmetics manufacturers such as Sophim.com, use squalene that is derived from plant sources such as olive, rice bran, and wheat bran.
What Are The Skincare Benefits Of Squalane?
Some of the benefits of using squalane oil on your skin include:
1. It Prevents Water Loss from the Skin
Squalane is a lightweight moisturizer that serves to keep your skin supple and hydrated. Since it is so similar to your skin’s natural oils, it typically provides just the right amount of moisturization without overdoing it, which could otherwise block your skin pores.
2. It Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Thanks to its incredible ability to nurture the skin, squalane can help reduce the effects of aging on the skin. It tones down the appearance of any fine lines and wrinkles on the skin as well as prevents the development of new ones. Consequently, topically applying squalane on your skin every day keeps your skin looking fresh and luminous.
3. It Improves Skin Texture
Squalane’s hydrating properties can significantly improve the texture and feel of your skin. Not only does it smoothen the skin by getting rid of lines and wrinkles, but it also reduces the appearance of skin pores.
4. It Relaxes Skin and Prevents Irritation
Squalane has a soothing quality on the skin, which helps to alleviate skin irritation. Its hydrating properties help prevent dryness which might otherwise cause your skin to feel itchy. This helps to ensure your skin feels pleasant throughout the day.
5. It Helps Control Oil Production In The Skin
As highlighted before, squalane mimics the action of the natural oils produced by the skin. Consequently, it helps regulate the production of natural oils by the skin. Whenever you apply squalane oil, your skin recognizes it as a naturally occurring sebum oil, thus reducing the amount of oil it produces. This makes it a great skincare product for individuals who have naturally oily skin.
6. It Tones Down the Appearance of Black Spots
Squalane has powerful antioxidant properties which can greatly improve your skin tone. Apart from making your skin look supple and luminous, it fades the appearance of black marks on your skin, thus leaving your skin looking clear. Squalane’s antioxidant effects also help prevent lipid peroxidation, which is known to damage the skin’s surface and pores and cause acne.
7. It is Non-Comedogenic
Squalane is lightweight and non-greasy, which means it does not clog skin pores as most heavy oils do. In fact, this oil is so light that it can be used fairly comfortably under makeup and creams. Its lightweight nature also makes it easy for the skin to absorb, thus maximizing its skin-repair properties.
Wrapping Up
Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is without a doubt central to a good skincare routine. However, with so many different skin care products on the market, it can be daunting to find a moisturizer that works well with your skin. Fortunately, squalane oil has been proven to not only work well with most skin types but also offers a plethora of benefits that can significantly improve the appearance and feel of your skin.
