Squalene

Category: Emollient

Brief description: An unsaturated hydrocarbon found in the sebum of human skin and in plant and animal sources; precursor to squalane.

Benefits: Moisturizes, prevents transepidermal water loss, non-comedogenic, and antioxidant properties.

Skin type suitability/concerns: Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.

Target audience: All age groups and those with sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin.

Chemical composition: An unsaturated hydrocarbon with 30 carbon atoms.

Physical aspect: Clear, colorless, and odorless liquid.

Compatibility: Mixes well with other oils, butters, and ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

Concentration: Typically used at 1-10% in formulations.

Side effects/adverse reactions: Generally well-tolerated; may cause an allergic reaction in rare cases.

Regulatory status: No major restrictions.

Sustainability/ethical considerations: Opt for plant-derived squalene, as animal-derived sources (typically from shark liver oil) raise ethical and sustainability concerns. Squalene is less stable and more prone to oxidation than squalane, so it's less commonly used in formulations.