Here’s What to Know About the Popular Skincare Ingredient
Over the past few months alone, it’s safe to say I’ve seen my fair share of skincare ingredients rise and fall in popularity. As a beauty editor and someone who frequents major social media platforms like it’s my job (TikTok, for example, provides nonstop inspiration for all things skincare), I have a knack for recognizing these trending ingredients before the products that contain them sell out at Sephora, Ulta, and beyond. In fact, it’s almost second nature for me to jot down an ingredient in my iPhone’s Notes app in case I want to write a deep-dive story on it later.
Below, I’m zeroing in on one of the biggest skincare essentials occupying my For You page lately: squalane. While the use of squalane in skincare is nothing new, it certainly seems to have piqued the interest of many who are on the hunt for fast-working products that can promote healthy, youthful-looking skin. Keep scrolling to see everything I found out about squalane and which products infused with the ingredient are actually worth your time and money.
What Is Squalane?
So, what is squalane, and why is it experiencing a renaissance across the skincare space as a superstar ingredient? We tapped two skincare experts to break it down. “Squalane is a plant-derived, lightweight oil that mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it an ideal hydrator and barrier protector. It locks in moisture, prevents water loss, and enhances overall skin hydration,” explains Courtney Allen, FNP-C, founder of cosmetic dermatology clinic Canvas Skin. “Squalane also boasts antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation and shielding the skin from environmental damage caused by free radicals.” It’s also noncomedogenic, making it ideal for use on all skin types (including sensitive and acne-prone skin).
To fully reap the benefits of using squalane-infused skincare in your well-rounded skincare routine, experts tell us that consistency and smart application is key. “As a moisturizing oil, it’s best used to lock in hydration after applying water-based serums or a lightweight moisturizer,” adds Indie Lee, skin expert and founder of her namesake skincare brand. Lee highlights the multitasking product as one of her favorites, sharing that she likes to use it on her face but that’s it’s also a go-to for softening elbows, cuticles, and rough patches. She also uses it as a beauty hack by mixing a drop of it into concealer when a formula feels too thick and to sooth the skin after getting waxed.
Allen also tells us that the popular skincare ingredient reinforces the skin’s natural lipid barrier by promoting a healthier, smoother complexion while also preventing dryness and irritation. The best part about squalane? It’s extremely versatile and easy to add into your skincare routine since it can be found in many moisturizers, serums, and facial oils. “Whether used as a standalone product or as part of a formulation in other skincare products, squalane delivers long-lasting hydration without feeling greasy—a must-have for a healthy, balanced complexion,” adds Lee. So if you’ve been wondering if squalane skincare is worth the investment, take this as your sign to finally stock up.
How Should Squalane Be Used?
Using squalane skincare starts with understanding which products will best serve your goals. For the best results, Allen recommends applying squalane products following cleansing and toning to seal in hydration. “It can be used morning or night, either alone or layered under sunscreen during the day and heavier moisturizers in the evening,” she says. Its lightweight texture and formula makes it a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin types, while its soothing and hydrating properties are ideal for use with dry, sensitive, and mature skin types.
The Best Squalane Skincare Products, Listed
The Best Squalane Skincare Products
1. Oils
Indie Lee
Squalane Facial Oil
Of all the transformative squalane-based skincare on the market, Lee’s top pick is her namesake brand’s Squalane Facial Oil. “It’s 100% olive-derived and COSMOS-certified, which means it’s both sustainably and ethically sourced. What sets it apart is its purity—just one simple, high-quality ingredient that delivers effective results,” Lee tells us. It’s also lightweight, fast-absorbing, and leaves the skin feeling silky-smooth without greasy residue.
Customer Review: “I can’t live without this product! I use 3-4 drops every night. It’s hydrating and my skin has responded amazingly. This will always be in my skincare routine rotation.”
Herbivore
Lapis Facial Oil
If you have combination, oily, or blemish-prone skin, you’ll want to get your hands on this skin-balancing facial oil. Herbivore’s Lapis Facial Oil uses a formula designed to provide moisture to the complexion without clogging the pores with a blend of 100% natural and pure plant oils. I’ve noticed that with this oil, my skin easily locks in moisture without producing as much excess oil. (I don’t fly through my oil-blotting sheets as quickly.)
Customer Review: “Helps calm my sensitive, fair skin and reduce redness. I do have oily skin and this seems to help balance the excess oils. I mix this with another serum in the mornings and I’ve seen a big improvement in the texture of my skin.”
Matter Of Fact
Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment
Admittedly, I’m often hesitant to incorporate antioxidant treatments into my skincare routine for fear or disrupting the natural balance of my skin. However, since I began using Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment, I’ve noticed my skin looks much healthier. It delivers skin-mimicking lipids and powerful antioxidants that support the skin barrier by helping it maintain moisture and combating environmental aggressors.
Customer Review: “This oil is absolutely heavenly. I like to apply it at night before I go to bed and I wake up w my skin silky smooth! It’s a must have for the dry skin baddies! 10/10 would recommend. I think even my skin texture has improved too.”
Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil
I’ve been a longtime fan of Youth to the People, so I’m surprised by how long it took for me to finally try its Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil. It was well worth the wait! Formulated with antioxidants, fatty acids, and superberry extracts, this fast-absorbing facial oil provides rapid hydration and long-lasting glow. It can also be worn alone as a hydrating primer or mixed in with your favorite foundation or blush for a picture-perfect dewy finish.
Customer Review: I’ve been wanting to add a face oil to my skincare routine and I’m so glad I went with this one. My face just looks and feel way more hydrated. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t make you feel/look greasy. Also the scent is so lovely.”
2. Serums
Biossance
Squalane + Firm and Lift Dual Serum
Biossance’s Squalane + Firm and Lift Dual Serum has easily become one of my top serums for combatting dryness. This shake-to-activate, dual-phase serum visibly lifts areas that are prone to fine lines with a transformative formula using hyaluronic acid, squalane, and Hydralift Complex. While the hyaluronic boosts hydration levels, the squalane increases the potency of its benefits.
Customer Review: “I have been using Biossance products off and on for years and this is another great product. My skin has felt extremely dry the last few months and this serum has really helped hydrate my skin. I use this twice a day and have been waking up with hydrated and glowy skin. This has become a staple in my routine.”
Joanna Vargas
Rescue Vitamin C + Squalane Serum
Joana Vargas’s concentrated corrective vitamin C serum is a must-have for anyone looking to brighten and boost the radiance of their skin. It features an antioxidant-infused formula (featuring vitamin C, vitamin E, squalane, elderberry extract, and fatty acids) to nourish and shield the skin against exposure to free radicals while also locking moisture. So yeah—the hype is real for this one.
Customer Review: “I love this serum. I have tried a lot of different brands and acne products to help clear my acne and my scars. This one took my acne away and is clearing the scars too. I love this serum and will continue to buy it. I’m so glad I found Joanna Vargas.”
The Ordinary
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
What better way to experience the peak benefits of squalane than with a serum that’s crafted with nothing but the skin-brightening ingredient? The 100% Plant-Derived Squalane supports healthy hydration of the skin barrier by preventing ongoing loss of hydration and promoting dermal suppleness. Not only does it work for all skin types (although, it’s notably ideal for dry skin), but it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
Customer Review: “This product is truly amazing. I use it every night before bed to fight aging and wrinkles that are forming. I have uneven skin tone and noticed a significant difference after using this product. It’s absolutely the best on the market and made with high quality ingredients for reasonable cost.”
Allies of Skin
Azelaic & Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum
I was introduced to this skin-clarifying serum last fall and can’t remember what my skincare routine was like without it. It combats breakouts, excess sebum, enlarged pores, redness, and more using a blend of 10% azelaic acid and 1% kojic acid to diminish the look of blemishes while brightening and refining the skin texture. Plus, its nourishing formula also features a calming complex of licorice and bakuchiol oil for a vibrant complexion.
Customer Review: “I have been waiting for this serum! It is simply amazing for my combination yet dehydrated skin. I am sure my skin suffers from all the products I am using but this serum has made a huge difference in its appearance in just three days. I will never be out of it!”
3. Moisturizers
The Outset
Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer
Another easy way to incorporate squalane into your skincare routine is by investing in a daily moisturizer that has a formula infused with it. This one hydrates the skin for up to 24 hours while also soothing and protecting it from the effects of pollution and free radicals. It uses a noncomedogenic formula featuring moisture-boosting squalane, brightening edelweiss extract, and more to thoroughly hydrate your skin without blocking pores.
Customer Review: “Holy grail status for me! Feels so silky and smooth and super lightweight while being extremely hydrating! I love that there is no fragrance or other irritating ingredients.”
Both dermatologists agree that using squalane-infused skincare can help promote a healthy skin barrier function, so it may be smart to consider the Canvas Skin Kalo Cream. It restores the skin with a nourishing formula infused with fatty acids, growth factors, lipids, squalane, and cholesterols to balance the skin barrier and support skin cell regeneration (which, in turn, slows down the aging process).
Customer Review: “[I] always keep this on hand and have noticed an improvement in my skin this past year using it!”
Biossance
Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
Restoring the health of your skin barrier doesn’t have to be a struggle, and we love Biossance’s Squalane + Omega Repair Cream because it makes the process that much easier. Ideal for all skin types, this moisturizer visibly plumps fine lines and wrinkles with ceramides and fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, and vegan sugarcane-derived squalane to address dryness. It’s thee beauty-editor secret to achieving dewy skin without having to deal with a greasy feel.
Customer Review: “I have been using this product for two weeks now and have been really impressed. My skin was so dry from the cold weather and this really made a huge difference. My skin looks so much healthier and feels much better now.”
S.Nature
Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream
If you like fast-absorbing, lightweight moisturizers, give S.Nature’s Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream a try. Using a transformative formula infused with aquaxyl and squalane, this moisturizing cream deeply hydrates and smoothes the skin while also tightening pores and controlling sebum. It’s ideal for sensitive skin but can work well for all skin types since there’s so little irritation.
Customer Review: “This moisturizer is really nice! It absorbs into my skin really nicely and feels luxe. I have been using at night mostly and while I don’t know that I’ve really noticed a decrease in pore size just yet, my skin looks great! I don’t have any heavy oiliness or residue on the skin at all. As someone with sensitive skin, it’s nice to find a product that helps keep my skin radiant without irritation.”
4. Masks
Éminence Organic Skin Care
Charcoal & Black Seed Clay Masque
Although it’s not a proven fact, I’m convinced you can never have too many hydration-boosting masks at your disposal. One of my favorites of all time is the Charcoal & Black Seed Clay Masque. The purifying clay mask is formulated with activated charcoal and black seed to unclog pores and absorb excess sebum for balanced, hydrated skin. It also reduces the look of dark spots (a must for anyone struggling with hyperpigmentation).
Customer Review: “This product is perfect as a whole face mask or even as a spot treatment. It completely dries up acne without drying out your skin or causing any additional damage. I can finally treat my skin without worrying about the side effects.”
Shani Daren
Signature Nourishing Facial Mask
Got stressed-out skin? Shani Daren’s Signature Nourishing Facial Mask is clinically shown to calm redness, reduce irritation, and protect the skin barrier with moisture-replenishing squalane, colloidal oatmeal, and a triple-tea complex (white, green, and chamomile tea). Inspired by Shani Daren’s hand-whipped mask she uses for her facials, this clay-based treatment mask leaves the skin radiant and rejuvenated. Plus, it’s safe to use on all skin types.
Customer Review: “Beautiful mask! Has an almost whipped texture, super smooth application and left my skin feeling super smooth and nourished without feeling at all dry or stripped. This came with a cute little brush too- overall pleased with this product, another great one from Shani Darden.”
Laneige
Water Sleeping Mask
Did you know you can use squalane-infused skincare while you sleep? The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask addresses any dryness, dullness, and loss of firmness and elasticity using a formula packed with the probiotic-derived complex, squalane, and niacinamide to deliver a hydrated glow while also supporting the skin’s moisture barrier. I noticed a change in the appearance of my complexion the day after I tried this one.
Customer Review: “Love this product. I will say I use very little at a time because money is tight but this product tops it my skincare so well. It is quickly absorbed into my skin and the texture is so smooth I literally feel like my face is glowing.”
Kiehl’s Since 1851
Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask
To moisturize and strengthen my skin barrier overnight, I’m obsessed with using the Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask. Infused with 10.5% squalane and skin-balancing glacial glycoprotein, it’s designed with dry skin in mind. The hydrating, fragrance-free mask works overtime to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent overnight moisture loss so you can wake up with glowy, healthy-looking skin.
Customer Review: “I’ve been using this product for over a year now and it is so amazing. I get super flakey patches on my face, so I use this product day and night as a daily moisturizer. Nothing will ever top this. It gets rid of my redness, texture and leaves my skin super soft after use. The smell is initially annoying, but you get used to it! Highly recommend.”
