Ingredient decoder

Squalane: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Squalane

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic1 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Light, stable oil similar to skin's own oils.

  • Skin-identical
  • Emollient
  • Hair conditioning
  • Refatting
  • Skin conditioning

Squalane in plain English

Squalane is a stable, lightweight oil made by hydrogenating squalene, a lipid your skin produces naturally. It softens skin without feeling greasy. It is generally considered a good choice for acne-prone skin that needs a little oil.

Is squalane bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Squalane is not a known pore-clogger: it scored 1 out of 5 in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test of the raw ingredient. Our checker rates it as fine for acne-prone skin, so judge by how your own skin reacts.

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Also called

  • Squalane
  • Olive squalane
  • Sugarcane squalane
  • Perhydrosqualene
  • Plant squalane

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Frequently asked questions

Is squalane comedogenic?

Squalane scored 1 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does squalane do in skincare?

In short: light, stable oil similar to skin's own oils. In formulas it is used for emollient, hair conditioning, refatting and skin conditioning.

What else is squalane called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, squalane can also appear as Olive squalane, Sugarcane squalane, Perhydrosqualene or Plant squalane.

Sources