What is squalane in skincare?
Squalane is the stable, hydrogenated version of squalene – a lipid your own sebaceous glands produce, and one of the components that keeps skin soft and water-resistant. Squalene itself oxidises quickly; squalane does not, which is why formulations use it.
It was historically harvested from shark liver, but cosmetic-grade squalane today is almost always derived from olives or sugarcane fermentation. Squalene levels in skin decline with age, which is part of why mature skin feels drier.
What skin concerns does squalane treat?
It relieves dryness, tightness and rough texture, and supports barrier repair without the heaviness of a butter or the shine of a traditional oil. It is lightweight, absorbs fast and is non-comedogenic, so oily and acne-prone skin can use it comfortably.
Research also points to antioxidant activity and a protective effect on collagen synthesis after UV exposure, giving it a mild role in ageing prevention as well as comfort.
What ingredients are best paired with squalane?
Use it as the sealing step over humectants – hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate – and alongside ceramides for full barrier repair.
It is an ideal buffer for strong actives: applied before or after a retinoid or acid, it noticeably reduces stinging and flaking without blocking the active. It suits every skin type and has almost no interaction risk. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is redness?
Facial redness is visible dilation of the small blood vessels near the skin’s surface. It ranges from transient flushing that comes and goes, to persistent erythema across the cheeks and nose, to fixed thread veins that stay visible all the time.
Redness is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. It can signal rosacea, irritation, an over-exfoliated barrier, eczema, an allergic reaction or simply reactive skin that responds strongly to heat and stress.
What causes redness?
Most persistent redness traces back to a compromised barrier and heightened nerve sensitivity. When the barrier thins, irritants penetrate more easily and the skin mounts an inflammatory response to things it would normally tolerate.
Common aggravators: over-exfoliation, high-strength actives used too often, fragrance and essential oils, hot water, alcohol, spicy food, sudden temperature change, sun exposure and stress. Trying to treat redness with more actives usually deepens it.
What ingredients are best for redness?
Prioritise calming and rebuilding over correcting. Niacinamide, azelaic acid, centella asiatica, green tea extract, liquorice root, allantoin, bisabolol and colloidal oatmeal all reduce visible inflammation.
Then repair the barrier with ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, glycerin, panthenol and squalane, and protect it with a gentle mineral SPF. Strip the routine back to cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen for a few weeks before reintroducing anything active. Take our Skin Quiz.
