Squalene ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, used to soften feel, reduce moisture loss, and improve glide in oils, creams, and balms.
What does Squalene do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, used to soften feel, reduce moisture loss, and improve glide in oils, creams, and balms.
Is Squalene clean?
From a clean-beauty lens, this ingredient is generally well tolerated, but its unsaturated structure makes oxidation control the main quality issue. Plant-derived grades fit most clean-positioned formulas better than animal-derived grades, which raise sourcing concerns.
Is Squalene sustainable?
This material can be sourced from plants such as olive, amaranth, or sugarcane, but it has also historically been sourced from shark liver oil. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than silicone oils, although responsible sourcing and traceability matter.
Is Squalene COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic when derived from compliant plant feedstocks and processed with allowed methods. Its Green Chemistry fit is strongest when renewable feedstocks, low-residue refining, and oxidation-stable packaging are used.
How does Squalene work chemically?
The molecule is a C30 acyclic triterpene hydrocarbon with multiple carbon-carbon double bonds, which gives it good skin affinity but lower oxidative stability than its saturated counterpart. It is usually used in the oil phase at low single-digit levels, and formulators often pair it with antioxidants and air-limiting packaging to control rancidity.
Last updated 2026-05-13