Ingredients Barrier repair Squalane
15Sq
Sourced from olives + sugarcane
Tier · Moderate evidence
Barrier repair · Hydrating

Squalane

INCI: Squalane · Also called: Hydrogenated Squalene

A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.

For your skin

A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Stable saturated lipid that mimics skin sebum; reinforces the barrier without oxidizing.

Why we tier this moderate

7 cited papers across 3 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

5
International
1
United States
1
Japan

Layering matrix

Compare with

Cited research

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Wolosik K et al., Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast, Molecules 2025;30(9):1964 — low-dose squalane (0.005-0.015%) restored collagen biosynthesis and wound healing in UVA-exposed human dermal fibroblasts

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40363772View source ↗
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Morgan AB et al., Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health, Skin Health and Disease 2024;4(5):e448 — squalene/squalane promotes skin health via antioxidant, hydrating, emollient, anti-inflammatory mechanisms

2024Mechanism onlyPMID:39355739View source ↗
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Prakoeswa CRS et al. (Indonesia), The Role of Moisturizer Containing Anti-inflammatory on Skin Hydration in Mild-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis Patients, Dermatology Research and Practice 2024;2024:3586393 — multi-ingredient anti-inflammatory moisturizer (shea butter + bacterial lysate + allantoin + bisabolol + botanicals + squalane as one emollient among many) improved skin hydration over 14 days vs standard in AD patients. NOTE: result cannot be attributed to squalane alone

2024Positive — efficacyPMID:39741562View source ↗
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Sethi A et al., Moisturizers: the slippery road, Indian Journal of Dermatology 2016;61(3):279-87

2016Mechanism onlyPMID:27293248View source ↗
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Kim SK, Karadeniz F, Biological importance and applications of squalene and squalane, Advances in Food and Nutrition Research 2012;65:223-233 — comprehensive review of squalene/squalane bioactivity supporting nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications

2012Mechanism onlyPMID:22361190View source ↗
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Kato S et al., Clinical evaluation of fullerene-C60 dissolved in squalane for anti-wrinkle cosmetics, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2010;10(10):6769-6774 — 8-week RCT in 23 Japanese women: squalane cream enhanced skin moisture and reduced wrinkle formation

2010Positive — efficacyPMID:21137794View source ↗
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Huang ZR et al., Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology, Molecules 2009;14(1):540-54

2009Mechanism onlyPMID:19169201View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.