There’s been a lot of buzz over the past few years about oils in skincare. We at Jag constantly are being asked if they’re safe, what they come from, and most importantly, if they’re going to clog someone’s pores. Though there are lots of products which we wouldn’t recommend when it comes to oils, we will never have an issue with this one – squalane. This little ingredient alone has created a lot of buzz, it seemed to come out of nowhere and then suddenly took the skincare world by storm. But how is it helping you?
Squalane is an interesting ingredient because it’s so close to something we naturally produce within our own skin. Our natural sebum is in part made up of squalene, but don’t panic! This is good stuff that keeps your cells hydrated (aka your skin soft), so it’s a very useful ingredient for keeping the skin supple and our moisture barrier healthy. Like everything in life, as we age our skin slowly depletes its natural squalene production, allowing for a rougher texture and a less hydrated skin. So, adding it back topically means we can help hydrate it more successfully.
With that being said, the next big question comes into play. What is the difference between squalene which we produce, and squalane which we apply topically? Simply – squalane is the shelf stable derivative we’ve all been waiting for. It’s a better option for shelf life, it’s lighter and better for all skin types, and helps effectively reduce fine lines and dry patches. Bonus, it’s also an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation!
4 products which contain it at Jag: