What is Squalane?
Now back to “What is Squalane?”
It’s a clear, odorless, lightweight liquid emollient that's highly moisturizing and highly compatible with your skin’s natural oils. Even though Squalane is an oil-like material, it’s non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores or cause breakouts, and it doesn’t leave a heavy or greasy feel on skin. This makes it a suitable ingredient for all skin types.
What does Squalane do for your skin?
Squalane is categorized as an emollient. Emollients are ingredients that help relieve dryness by forming a thin, protective layer on your skin’s surface to help lock in moisture and prevent moisture loss. Squalane is easily absorbed by the outer layers of your skin because of its similar molecular structure to the squalene you naturally produce. Its main function is skin moisturization. “Squalane really helps the skin retain moisture, so it feels softer, smoother and more supple,” says Kristine Schmalenberg, Clinical Testing.
What are the Squalane benefits for skin?
It’s highly moisturizing
Dry skin loves Squalane. Its ability to lock in moisture provides skin with good hydration—the biggest Squalane benefit. The result of this captured moisture is skin that feels comfortably hydrated with improved softness and suppleness. When your skin barrier is continually and properly hydrated and protected, the health of your skin barrier improves over time.
It helps prevent moisture loss
When your skin loses moisture, it not only feels dry and tight, but it can also appear irritated and flakey. What happens is microscopic cracks in your skin’s barrier (sometimes caused by free radicals) create the perfect escape route for water, which can result in visible dryness. Squalane acts as a physical barrier between your skin and the outside elements to prevent moisture loss. “Essentially, it covers those tiny cracks so water can’t evaporate,” says Kristine Schmalenberg.
It helps replenish what’s been naturally lost
That flexible, supple skin in your 20s is partially due to the natural Squalene your body produces. As you get older, your Squalene supply dwindles, which makes your skin more vulnerable to dryness. Applying squalane topically helps discourage moisture loss and keeps your skin's all-important barrier—properly hydrated.
How can you incorporate Squalane into your skincare routine?
Cleansers: Squalane-infused cleansers, like our Checks And Balances™ Milky Oil Cleanser + Makeup Melter, are a great way to remove dirt, excess oil and makeup while maintaining skin's moisture balance. “A cleanser infused with Squalane, and other emollients will help your skin stay comfortable during and after your cleanse”. says Kimberly Cosentino.
Moisturizers and Body Creams: Your face isn’t the only body part that can benefit from Squalane. Hydrating body creams, like our Ginger Souffle™ Whipped Body Cream, are a great way to reap the moisture-boosting benefits of Squalane.
What Origins products contain Squalane?
![](/media/export/cms/ingredient-pages/spotlight/desktop/white-bg-split.jpg)
Checks And Balances™ Milky Oil Cleanser + Makeup Melter
is our innovative, oil-to-milk transformative cleanser that helps remove makeup, oil and other impurities without stripping or drying the skin. Squalane, Glycerin, and Rice Oil work together to help hydrate and preserve moisture for a truly comfortable cleanse.
![milky oil cleanser](/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0Y1701_1000x1000_0.jpg/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0Y1701_1000x1000_0.jpg)
![ginzing ultra moisturizer](/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0TAX01_1000x1000_0.jpg/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0TAX01_1000x1000_0.jpg)
![](/media/export/cms/ingredient-pages/spotlight/desktop/white-bg-split.jpg)
GinZing™ Ultra Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream
is a super-rich, energy-boosting moisturizer formulated to help wake up the look of dull, lackluster, very dry skin with 72-hour hydration. Squalane helps lock in moisture while Ginseng and Caffeine from Coffee Beans help recharge the look of skin.
High-Potency Night-A-Mins™ Resurfacing Cream
![](/media/export/cms/ingredient-pages/spotlight/desktop/white-bg-split.jpg)
Mega-Mushroom Weightless Hydrating Moisturizer
delivers intense hydration with a weightless feel. Our silky, skin-quenching, barrier-boosting formula features mega moisturizers, like Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid, for instant and lasting (48 hours to be exact) hydration.
![fortifying emulsion](/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0Y1601_1000x1000_0.jpg/media/export/cms/products/1000x1000/origins_sku_0Y1601_1000x1000_0.jpg)
The takeaway on Squalane:
Squalane has become one of the buzziest ingredients in skincare. And rightfully so. Squalane’s benefits—as a moisturizing agent and a skin barrier helper—are essential to the overall health of your skin. Squalane helps restore softness, suppleness, and flexibility to your skin, so it appears more youthful and resilient. It’s not just buzzy, it’s beneficial.
FIND SQUALANE IN
![](jpg/origins_sku_0y1701_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0y1701_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
Checks and Balances™ Milky Oil Cleanser + Makeup Melter
![](jpg/origins_sku_0ycn01_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0ycn01_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
Plantscription™ Lifting + Firming Cream
![](jpg/origins_sku_0tax01_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0tax01_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
GinZing™ Ultra Hydrating, Energy-Boosting Cream
![](jpg/origins_sku_0y1601_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0y1601_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
Dr. Weil For Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Fortifying Emulsion
![](jpg/origins_sku_0rp801_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0rp801_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
High-Potency Night-A-Mins™ Resurfacing Cream with Fruit-Derived AHAs
![](jpg/origins_sku_0rpc01_600x600_gray_0.jpg)
![](jpg/origins_sku_0rpc01_600x600_gray_1.jpg)
High-Potency Night-A-Mins™ Oil-Free Resurfacing Cream with Fruit-Derived AHAs
*The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.s funding emission reduction projects to offset CO2e emissions as a result of deliveries made from our Origins US fulfillment center to our consumers’ delivery addresses (Excludes same-day delivery).
![ingredient index](/media/export/cms/ingredient-pages/ingredient-gallery-tout.jpg/media/export/cms/ingredient-pages/ingredient-gallery-tout.jpg)
THE INGREDIENT
GALLERY