Ingredient Spotlight: Squalane

Ingredient Spotlight · Technical Active

The Squalane

The oil that resembles skin. Structurally close to human sebum, squalane nourishes, softens and protects without ever feeling heavy or greasy.

The portrait of a discreet lipid, found in several of our most advanced formulas.

NourishingNon-ComedogenicSofteningProtectiveDry Touch
Shop our squalane treatments
Common name
Squalane, squalane oil.
INCI name
Squalane.
Family, type
Saturated hydrocarbon; biomimetic lipid emollient.
Found in nature
The hydrogenated form of squalene, a lipid naturally present in human sebum, as well as in olive oil, sugar cane and rice bran oil.
How it's obtained
Extraction from plant oils (olive, sugar cane), followed by hydrogenation of squalene to obtain a stable, non-oxidizing molecule.
Typical concentration
1% to 10% depending on texture.
Organoleptic properties
Appearance: colorless fluid oil; Scent: neutral; Feel: dry, non-greasy, fast-absorbing.
Physical characteristics
Fat-soluble; very stable to oxidation, unlike native squalene; zero comedogenic rating; its molecular structure is nearly identical to that of sebum lipids, hence its excellent skin affinity1,2.
Benefits
Nourishing, softening, barrier-protecting, anti-dehydration, mildly antioxidant.
Cosmetic indications
All skin types, including combination to oily; dehydrated skin that needs comfort without heaviness.

Did you know?A little history

Squalene was long extracted from shark liver, the only source concentrated enough for industrial use.

Since the 1990s, skincare has turned to plant sources, led by olive oil and sugar cane, for a more sustainable, 100% plant-derived squalane. Hydrogenation, which turns fragile squalene into stable squalane, keeps it from going rancid1.

At Yon-Ka, it complements our most technical formulas, where the texture must stay light while nourishing effectively.

General useA molecule skin recognizes

Human sebum naturally contains squalene, the precursor of squalane. This molecular kinship explains why squalane blends so easily into the skin, with no greasy film or risk of clogging pores2.

Squalene or squalane? Squalene, naturally present in the skin, oxidizes quickly in air. Squalane is its version stabilized by hydrogenation: the same skin affinity, but a much longer shelf life in a formula.

Cosmetic useIts properties on skin

  • NourishingIt replenishes lipids without leaving an occlusive film2.
  • Non-comedogenicIts sebum-like structure makes it compatible with combination to oily skin.
  • SofteningIt instantly improves skin suppleness and comfort.
  • ProtectiveIt strengthens the hydrolipidic film and limits transepidermal water loss.
  • Dry touchIts fast absorption makes it a lipid of choice in serums and light creams.
  • Mildly antioxidantIt helps protect the formula's lipids from oxidation.

FormulationSqualane at Yon-Ka

Squalane

Plant origin

A comfort lipid found in several of our most advanced treatments: the Excellence Code line, our Hydra N°1 range, Vital Defense and Advanced Optimizer.

Found in: La Crème – Excellence Code · Vital Defense · Hydra N°1 Serum

In cosmeticsUses

  • Anti-aging creams and global care;
  • Antioxidant serums and creams;
  • Lightweight firming care;
  • Hydrating care for combination skin.

The Yon-Ka approach

Squalane is our precision lipid: wherever a formula needs to nourish without ever weighing down, it complements our most technical actives, from hyaluronic acid to the vitamins A, C and E in our defense care.

The science of the active, the sensoriality of the plant.

How to useAdding it to your ritual

  1. Morning and evening
    La Crème – Excellence Code on face and neck, after Lotion Yon-Ka and Le Sérum.
  2. Combination skin
    Vital Defense in the morning: squalane nourishes without ever looking shiny.

Good to knowStorage and precautions

Squalane is one of the most stable lipids in skincare, unaffected by oxidation, unlike its native form1.

Very well tolerated and non-comedogenic, with no known contraindications for topical use, including during pregnancy.

Go furtherSources

  1. Huang Z.R., Lin Y.K., Fang J.Y. Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules, 2009; 14(1): 540-554. PubMed
  2. COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe), cosmetic ingredient database, Squalane. cosmileeurope.eu
Selection

Our squalane treatments

The Yon-Ka formulas where squalane is a key ingredient.

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