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Those who’ve ever had to deal with dry skin know the difficulties of keeping your skin properly hydrated at all times. There are so many options out there for dealing with these issues, ranging from oils to moisturizers. Today we’ll be discussing a hydrating powerhouse that’s called squalene.
Squalane is a byproduct of squalene. Squalene is a hydrocarbon which is naturally occurring in our bodies. Our bodies contain as much as 13% of squalene. Just like collagen, the amount of squalene in our skin lowers as we grow older, so it’s for our skin to tap into those resources when it needs extra hydration. Keeping this in mind, it’s wise that we start using various resources of both squalene and squalane as early as our mid-twenties. These resources can be found both in food and in topical products.
If you’re a fan of using oils on your skin, then using squalane will not be a difficult transition for you. But there are some people who feel uneasy about directly putting oil on their skin, particularly on the face area. You might not check the ingredient list on your favorite products, but you’d be surprised if you found out that many of them contain some kind of oil, particularly squalane.
In the past, this ingredient was primarily obtained by using shark liver oil. Today, thanks to modern technology, it’s not required to tear down shark livers in order to get high amounts of squalene. It’s easily taken from plants and made into a substance which then continues to be used either in isolation or in conjunction with other ingredients. Many products such as moisturizers, creams, and serums contain squalane as a source of natural hydration. It’s recommended to use at least one of these products that contain squalane, or use it in isolation like the methods below demonstrate.
Other than our own bodies, squalane is also contained in olives, wheat germ, amaranth, sugarcane, and rice bran oil.
What you can do to boost your squalane levels is to incorporate more squalane food in your diet. Adding extra virgin olive oil, the Mediterranean wonder, to your next salad is an easy way to go. You could also cook up some amaranth and add in some vegetables for an extra vitamin boost.
You might have come across these two phrases and wondered whether it’s just a typo or there’s actually a difference between these two terms. Well, there actually is one! Squalane is made from hydrogenating squalene. By doing these, squalane becomes firmer and it has a higher melting point than previously.
Their formulas are pretty similar both in terms of what they’re made of and what their consistency is. However, it’s true that hydrogenated fats are not so easily accepted by the skin, and they can be more comedogenic. More on that later.
If you’re not yet convinced about using squalene in your regular skincare routine, then you might change your mind once you see all the skin issues it can actually help with and all the healthy ways it impacts the skin. Continue reading to discover all the great squalane oil benefits.
Everybody needs a little moisture in their lives unless you have extremely oily skin. However, oily skin types also get a smaller amount of squalane as they get older, which means that a change in skin types is likely to occur. It’s not uncommon that people change skin types in their thirties.
Squalane can help your body become more moisturized in a natural way since it’s already found in our bodies. If you have dry skin, it can help immensely by providing constant moisture. If you get regular dry skin during the winter, it will help you battle these common symptoms of cold weather. If you have combination skin, it will treat the dry areas on your face (most often the cheek areas).
You probably wouldn’t have guessed it, but squalane has natural antibacterial properties. If you suffer from acne or other skin concerns such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, it will help you treat the bacteria that’s causing your skin issues.
Bacteria is tricky to deal with. Many patients who suffer from acne or any other problems relating to the skin are prescribed antibiotics. They can certainly be helpful while you’re taking them, but once you go off them your issues start to come back because the root problem isn’t addressed. And what’s even worse is that you can develop antibiotic resistance if your skin grows accustomed to this medicine.
Squalane is a safe bet and you don’t risk getting antibiotic resistance by using it regularly and for a long period of time.
Probably the most important thing when choosing a skincare product is seeing how high it scores on the comedogenic scale. Lucky for us, squalane is non-comedogenic, meaning it scores pretty low and it’s not likely to cause any acne and spots. This means that it’s suitable for any skin type out there, even sensitive skin.
Since the oil is absorbed quite slowly into the skin, it doesn’t leave the skin especially greasy and shiny-looking after you’ve applied it, which is probably the worst feeling when it comes to oil application.
Due to the fact that it’s non-comedogenic, you probably won’t have any issues regarding its application. If you don’t use any products that contain squalane currently and this is the first time you’re using it, it’s wise to do a patch test before applying it on your whole face. If the majority of the population responds well to a product, chances are so will you. But, just for sake of being cautious, apply it on a smaller area on your face for a couple of days and see how that area reacts to it. If you don’t see any redness, itching or blemishes, you’re probably good to go.
Did you know that dry skin types are more prone to getting premature signs of aging than oily skin types? This is due to the fact that when the skin is being deprived of moisture for longer periods of time it’s more likely to wrinkle. So, how can you avoid this? One of the answers is by using squalane on a regular basis.
It keeps your skin hydrated without clogging up the pores, which other oils often do. if you’re using it as a moisturizer, it will not only hydrate the skin but it will also soften it, which will reduce the appearance of any premature signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re on the lookout for a natural and effective anti-aging product, try giving squalane a go.
It might be surprising, but this ingredient has the power to prevent oxidative damage to the skin, which is one of the most harmful processes that our skin goes through, and one which leads to much trouble (like causing premature aging, acne, and dark spots). It’s no secret that these radicals bring havoc to our bodies, but our skin suffers as well. By applying squalane to the skin on a regular basis, you’re preventing oxidative damage from occurring in the first place, which is of major importance if you’re after healthy and glowing skin.
We’ve all heard how important applying sunscreen actually is. UV rays cause as much damage as free radicals do, although the effect isn’t as immediate. Excessive sun exposure can not only lead to sunspots, which are quite difficult and annoying to deal with on their own, but it can also cause skin cancer, and you definitely don’t want to risk that. The best way to avoid these premature signs of aging and hyperpigmentation is not only through applying sunscreen each time you get out in the sun, but also by incorporating products such as squalane in your regular skincare routine which will help fight off these issues.
Another great benefit of squalane is that it can treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation, so if you’re already suffering from any of these you can also incorporate it in your routine. It works not only as a preventative measure but also as a treatment.
If you’re careful about the products you put on your face, chances are you’re already well aware of how they can cross-react with each other and not only mess with your progress but also cause unwanted side-effects.
Luckily, with squalane you won’t have to worry about any of that. The good news is that squalane doesn’t interfere with other products you might be using at the moment. This means that whatever your skincare routine is currently, you can only benefit from adding in squalane.
Now that we’ve seen all the amazing things which squalane can do for our skin, let’s explore all the different options in which you can incorporate it in your regular routine.
If you want to increase the amount of squalane in your skin, or primarily use it for its moisturizing benefits, then you can start by applying the oil directly on your skin a couple of times per week. Once your skin gets used to it, you can increase the application by using it every night.
It’s easily absorbed into your skin and it won’t cause any irritation so you don’t need to worry in that regard. Squalane actually produces a barrier between the skin and any environmental factors, so it’s a good idea to use it before leaving the house in order for it to protect your skin against any environmental pollutants such as dust and pollution.
Another option is to buy a regular moisturizer which already contains squalane in it. This will also ensure that you get the proper moisture which your skin deserves, but it will also be more convenient for application.
As we’ve mentioned before, squalane has the unique benefit of helping treat hyperpigmentation and dark spots, conditions which many people suffer from, particularly those who’ve already had acne at some point in their life.
Using a product that contains squalane for a certain period of time can potentially fade these dark spots over time and protect new ones from forming. On top of that, using squalane oil for the skin will ensure that it is protected from within, so you’ll be effectively dealing with any occurring skin issues in the long run.
When it comes to hyperpigmentation, it’s important to stay consistent and patient with the methods you’re using.
We’ve gone over the amazing anti-aging benefits that can come from applying squalane topically. Add a product or two that contains squalane as a part of your regular routine, whether you’re already experiencing fine lines and wrinkles or if you want to protect your skin from any that might occur. If you want a full-blown anti-aging routine, you should consider using Retin A in addition to squalane.
Are you looking for a way to spice up your current skincare routine? It’s understandable. Applying the same products over and over again can be boring, especially to those who want to experiment with their products regularly.
This is the perfect way to use squalane if you’re one of those people. Spice up your everyday skincare routine with this easy DIY mask you can make at home. For other DIY ideas, click here.
Papaya is a potent source of antioxidants. It gives your skin elasticity and it increases the levels of collagen, making it amazing for achieving anti-aging benefits. Turmeric, on the other hand, is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial powerhouse. These two ingredients are already extremely popular within the skincare community, so try this mask out for yourself and see why first hand!
For this mask, you’ll need:
Mix all these ingredients together and apply the mixture on your previously washed face. Let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes before washing it off with warm water. It’s best to use this mask no more than three times per week.
Other than the skin, squalane can also be used in various other ways which can be quite beneficial if you’re into practical products.
If you’re suffering from dry cuticles, try adding a drop or two of squalane in your fingertips and massaging your cuticles with it. This will not only moisturize them but also help with the nail polish removing process.
Another productive way to use it is by putting it on your hair. Squalane oil for hair can result in many benefits, like helping repair split ends and softening your hair. You can apply it on both wet and dry hair.
There are little to no side-effects from using squalane topically. You might experience some irritation and redness, but this is very rare.
If you’re an environmentalist or a vegan, make sure the squalane you purchase is from plant sources since extracting it from shark livers is damaging to our ecosystems and downright cruel.
Using squalane is a sure way to bump up its amount in our body. It has incredible benefits, ranging from anti-aging to hydrating ones. If you’re not sure about using it on your skin, you can always consult your dermatologist.
