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Though you could buy and use it on its own, you’re probably already getting squalane skin benefits if you use an organic or high-quality, natural moisturizer.
This prized ingredient is cherished for its ability to restore balance to the skin, lock-in hydration, and its renewing properties that keep skin young. Here’s what you need to know about squalane skin benefits and how to use nature’s most rejuvenating moisturizer.
Squalane Vs. Squalene
Before we dive into what this ingredient is all about, it’s important to note how it differs from and gets confused with its cousin-Squalene.
Squalane (our star ingredient) and squalene are almost completely identically, perform the same, and contain equally beneficial properties. But the one, very important difference, is how they are sourced.
Squalane skin benefits were first experienced via squalene, something our skin produce’s naturally but it’s also found abundantly in the liver of sharks. First of all, gross…but the reality is more devastating. Like other exploited goods, the demand for squalene becomes high and the result was and over-fishing of sharks which would jeopardize and an entire oceanic ecosystem.
Fortunately, a scientist was able to replicate squalene using only plant sources (mostly olives and sugarcane), creating the bio-identical squalane.
However, that’s not to assume all squalane is vegan or that products that use squalane are in any way animal-friendly. Squalane can still be made using a mixture of plant and animal properties so it’s important to read the label thoroughly to confirm that you’re getting ethically-sourced, vegan squalane.
So, why all the fuss over this ingredient?
Squalane Skin Benefits
As you can tell from the title, squalane is known for its intensely moisturizing skin benefits. But it has a lot more to offer. Squalane can be applied to the face, neck, hands, chest, and any part of the skin that you want to keep radiant.
But, how does it work?
Moisturizer For All, Including Acne-Prone Skin
One of the hardest things most acne-prone skin has to face is excessive and unstable oil production. Oftentimes, the mere sensation of having oily or acne-prone skin may lead to you turning away moisturizer–but you shouldn’t! Your oil doesn’t hydrate your skin, but squalane can.
Unique squalane skin benefits are so effective because they behave just as the squalene our skin already produces…but better.
Squalane is an emollient that creates a balancing barrier on the skin. This means, like other oils, it will help prevent trans-epidermal water loss–which is fancy for the moisture that evaporates leaving skin dry. What it does that others can’t, is trick your oil-producing systems into equilibrium. Therefore, dry skin will have a boost of oil production that will plump and refresh skin, and oily, acne-prone skin will ease up on over-producing.
[ Also Read: The 7 Best Organic Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin ]
Anti-inflammatory–Bye, Bye Redness!
The Squalene that our skin naturally produces slows down over time, just like collagen, oil, sweat, and elastin. The result is thinning skin that is much easier to agitate, become red, or even inflamed.
Squalane protects your fragile, sensitive epidermis by reducing oxidative stress factors. That’s right–it’s a powerful antioxidant and your skin will drink it right up and the red patches and blotchiness will be no more.
The anti-inflammatory properties of squalane also make it suitable for skin with inflammation-causing damage including acne, scarring, oxidative stress, and broken capillaries from skin sensitivities. Squalane will reduce the appearance of redness and alleviate the discomfort of
Lightweight + Noncomedogenic
Squalane skin benefits don’t mean much if it feels like a grease bath. But of course, this miracle ingredient is featherweight and non-comedogenic, which means it absorbs easily without clogging pores.
The molecular structure of squalane (oil) is so similar to that of your skin that it’s able to treat, heal, and restore at a molecular level and feel virtually weightless.
Soothes, Softens, & Seals
Squalane skin benefits aren’t just at the molecular level and don’t take months to see. After just a few applications, potent properties in the natural fatty acids make skin noticeably softer, smoother, and more relaxed.
Restore Complexion
An uneven complexion and dark or white spotting is usually the result of cellular overproduction on an isolated part of your face or body. Working at a gentle and natural exfoliant, squalane improves cell turnover and hydration that will brighten dark spots and even out the overall complexion. Top squalane with a powerful SPF to keep dark spots away for good.
Anti-Aging
If it wasn’t for its scientifically supported anti-aging benefits, squalane would be just another healthy oil for the skin. Fortunately, regular application of this skin superfood is going to boost collagen production, exfoliate old, tired, weak skin cells, and improve cellular turnover.
Skin finally gets a second chance as time and aging slows the body’s natural processes that keep skin young, squalane is able to step in and kick skin elasticity, plump, and tightening effects into high gear. And as mentioned before, its antioxidant superpower fights off harmful free-radicals which are the primary cause of skin damage and aging.
How to Use Squalane
Squalane skin benefits aren’t limited to your facial skincare routine. This restorative oil can be used on your neck, hands, nails, hair, and brows for topical treatment and to revitalize your skin and hair’s natural radiance.
Apply squalane daily by gently massaging a small amount into the desired area. It can replace or be added to your favorite moisturizer.
If you’re new to using facial oils or not getting the results you want from the gimmicky serums you saw on Instagram–Squalane is the ideal place to start and the best swap to make. This oil so closely resembles what the body naturally produces that the bioavailability of its compounds creates immediate results.
Discover the restorative and balancing benefits of squalane with any of these featured products.
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