We all want our skin to be well-moisturized and healthy. For this, our body has a built-in system, where it produces substances that help keep the skin smooth. However, this ability of the body declines as we age, and we require external substances to moisturize the skin and hair. That’s where squalane for skin comes in.
Squalane as moisturizer mimics our skin’s natural oils. It is a natural antioxidant and an excellent emollient that has antitumor properties and protects the skin from carcinogens. Read on to know more.
What is the Difference Between Squalene and Squalane?
Squalane is an artificial substance that we derive from the naturally-occurring squalene. Squalene refers to a lipid that is produced by our skin cells. It is produced in a good amount during the teen years, but its production declines as we age. This makes the skin rougher and drier.
Squalane is produced artificially by hydrogenating squalene. This is required as squalene, derived from various animals (such as shark livers) and plants (rice bran, sugarcane, and olives), can’t be used as it is. It is too unstable to be used in skincare products, as it can turn rancid and spoiled under the effect of oxygen exposure.
Hydrogenation makes squalene a stable molecule, where squalene is converted into a skin-friendly saturated oil with an increased shelf life.
Hence, while ‘squalene’ is an unsaturated oil, ‘squalane’ is its saturated form that is usable in moisturizers.
Benefits of Squalane for Skin
Squalane as a moisturizer has the power to hydrate the skin and let it remain so for a longer time. It essentially maintains the skin’s moisture barrier. Hydrated skin is healthy, so topical application of squalane offers tremendous benefits. It makes the skin more vibrant.
Squalane for skin is an oil with antioxidants to fight skin damage and free radicals, slowing down the aging process. It is also known to act as a detoxifier.
Moreover, regular usage can boost the production of collagen, resulting in firmer skin.
Hair Benefits of Squalane
Squalane is not just for the face and body; it also moisturizes your hair. It can be used as an oil to the hair, thereby keeping it shiny and strong. The application of squalane prevents breakage, replenishes the strands, and protects them. It can help the hair remain strong despite the effects of weather, age, heat, and diet.
You just need to place a few drops of squalane and massage them into your hair to moisturize them. Then you can rinse the hair in the shower. Squalane also prevents dry hair and split ends and sits on the hair’s outer surface to smooth out them.
Squalane Benefits for Acne and Oily Skin
Squalane is safe for all skin types, even for the oily and acne-prone skin. While wrong products can worsen blemishes and trigger a breakout, squalane serves as an excellent and effective alternative for the skin. It is lightweight when compared to heavy and greasy products. It will not penetrate pores and has the property to nourish skin at its cellular level.
Squalane also comes with anti-inflammatory properties and reduces swelling and redness. In contrast to natural skin oils, bacteria, and dead skin cells, squalane oil for face does not clog the pores.
You can choose to use a gentle cleanser before applying squalane for skin and exfoliate once or twice a week to get rid of the dead skin cells.
Squalane Benefits for Eczema
For those suffering from a skin condition called eczema, squalane for skin has come out as a great anti-inflammatory product. It can soothe not just eczema but a variety of inflammatory skin issues like inflammatory acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis.
It works by boosting your moisture levels and reducing dry patches and flare-ups, thus preventing dry skin.
Squalane – Associated Risks
As with any skin product, there is a possibility of certain risks with squalane skin products too. One may face irritation or an allergic reaction.
When using squalane for skin for the first time, it is wise to try it first on a patch of skin of your hand to ensure you are not allergic to it. If there is swelling, redness, or itching, it may be a sign that you are allergic to squalane or the particular product.
You may also consider choosing only plant-derived squalane products so as to protect the environment. This is because squalane is highly derived from sharks, which requires killing them before harvesting them from their livers.
Conclusion
It is clear that there are immense squalane skin benefits as well as squalane benefits for the hair. It is essential that you pay attention to the labeling for safe and effective usage of a specific squalane product for the hair or skin. Regular use can present you with smooth and shiny hair and vibrant and healthier skin. So get a hair or skin product with squalane and see how it alleviates your hair or skin quality.
