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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.