Squalane
Pronunciation /SKWAY-lane/
What it is — A stable, lightweight oil — originally extracted from shark liver, now mostly made from olives or sugarcane.
What it does — Mimics the natural oil your skin produces. Locks in moisture without feeling greasy.
What is it?
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
What does it do?
Squalane is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
-
Hair conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and manageability of hair
-
Refatting
restores oils and lipids that washing strips from skin or hair
-
Skin conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and condition of skin
-
Skin conditioning - emollient
softens the skin by reducing roughness and friction between skin cells
Often found in
- face oils
- moisturizers
- serums
- lip products
Good to know
Look for "plant-derived squalane" or "olive squalane" if shark-sourced is a concern (most cosmetic squalane is now plant-based).
EU regulatory status
Squalane is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Squalane?
Squalane is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. 2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
Is Squalane allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Squalane is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Squalane do in cosmetic products?
Squalane is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: hair conditioning, refatting, skin conditioning, skin conditioning - emollient.
What is the CAS number of Squalane?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Squalane is 111-01-3.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010