Ever feel like there’s a new beauty ingredient you can’t stop seeing and hearing about? That all of the sudden, it’s in every product and all over your Instagram feed? This is what our Beauty Buzzwords series is all about – helping you learn more about these mysterious ingredients and why everyone is raving about them.

Next up is squalane oil, the new hydrator on the block that’s suitable for ALL skin types and might just overthrow coconut oil as the most multipurpose beauty oil!

What is it?

Squalane oil is a plant-derived oil that is most often sourced from olives or sugarcane. It is produced naturally in our bodies and is a crucial part of sebum production. It’s lightweight, odorless, and has the consistency of a thin gel more than a traditional oil.

Squalane vs. Squalene

Basically, squalane is a saturated and stable version of squalene, meaning it has been hydrogenated (i.e., hydrogen has been added to the molecule). This prevents squalane from going rancid and acts as a natural preservative. Always make sure your beauty products are using 100% squalane, not the unsaturated variety, squalene.

Squalane oil is lightweight, odorless, and has the consistency of a thin gel more than a traditional oil

What are the benefits?

Squalane’s number one value is its hydration benefits:

• It’s super emollient and has a smoothing effect on skin
• Because of its light texture, it sinks in fast and locks in moisture
• It’s also non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores) and has naturally antibacterial properties so you don’t have to worry about it causing breakouts

Squalane has also been shown to help prevent photo-damage from UV rays and protect skin from free radicals that can cause signs of premature aging. It may also be helpful in fading scars and healing irritations such as chapped or cracked skin caused by conditions like eczema. And it’s not just for your face—it makes for a great body moisturizer and can be used on hair to add shine without weighing it down.

Who should be using it?

Squalane is great for all skin types! Because it’s able to control oil production, it works well as a moisturizer for those with oily skin but can also be layered with other emollient products for those with dry skin needing more hydration.

How can you use it?

I recommend 1 to 3 drops morning and night applied to slightly damp skin after toner but before any heavier cream moisturizers. And no need to worry about it affecting your other products—it absorbs so quickly you won’t need to wait long between skincare steps.

Squalane oil is suitable for all skin types

My favourite squalane oil products:

• Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil – This 100% squalane oil is derived from olives, is non-greasy and comes in a glass bottle with eye dropper.
• Indie Lee Squalane Facial Cream – This cream combines two of the beauty industry’s heavyweights, Squalane oil and hyaluronic acid for a powerful anti-aging formula.

Let me know down in the comments if you’ve tried squalane oil yet and what you thought of it! And don’t forget to stay tuned for our next edition of Beauty Buzzwords!