- WAN Team
- Oct 1, 2020
Updated: Aug 23, 2021
Featuring Ingredient by WAN Cosmetics
Tags:
Ingredient Insights
Squalane vs. Squalene
Olive Squalane
Rice Bran Squalane
Why Squalane?
Effective and natural ingredients form the backbone of WAN Cosmetics and are an integral part of our core formulation philosophy. Today, we’re introducing one of our beloved ingredients - squalane and explaining its role in modern skincare.
Squalane is a natural substance that our body produces and plays a key role in how our skin stays hydrated, soft, and youthful. As we age, as early as in our 20s, the amount of squalane naturally produced by our bodies decreases, and can result in dry, dull, or textured skin over time. To help replenish our skin’s natural supply, the cosmetics and skincare industry has long searched for sources that are vegan, sustainable, and cruelty-free. With the rising popularity of squalane, has the industry found a winner?
Not only does squalane address the ethical and environmental methods of previous sources, it is extremely compatible with all skin types and is a go-to ingredient for regenerative and anti-aging formulations.
For those of us who are nervous about oils and how they might affect our skin, not to worry! This plant-based alternative is highly moisturizing and hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy. Squalane penetrates the skin at an astonishing rate of 2mm/second and is an extraordinary ingredient for the skin, hair, and body.
Squalene vs. Squalane
Human skin, covering the entire outer surface of the body, is the largest organ and is constantly exposed to sunlight stress, including ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The skin tissue is rich in lipids, which are thought to be vulnerable to oxidative stress from sunlight.
Squalene is a structurally unique triterpene compound that is one of the main components (approx. 13%) of skin surface lipids. It was so named because it was first isolated from shark liver oil, which contains large quantities and is considered its richest source. It is transported in serum generally in association with very low density lipoproteins and is distributed ubiquitously in human tissues, with the greatest concentration in the skin.
Squalene is widely distributed in nature, with reasonable amounts found in olive oil, palm oil, wheat-germ oil, amaranth oil, and rice bran oil. Squalene as the main component of skin surface polyunsaturated lipids, shows some advantages for the skin as an emollient and antioxidant, and for hydration and its antitumor activities. Human sebum contains 13% squalene as one of its major constituents.
Squalane is a saturated derivative of squalene and also found in the same sources mentioned above. In contrast to squalene, due to the complete saturation of squalane, it is not subject to auto-oxidation. Squalene was traditionally sourced from the livers of sharks, with approximately 3000 required to produce one ton of squalane. Due to environmental concerns, other sources such as olive oil, rice and sugar cane have been commercialized as alternatives in more sustainable fashion.
Benefits You Can Feel:
Squalane truly offers the whole package and is beneficial to the skin, hair, and nails. Highlights of its benefits include:
Aids the absorption of other ingredients
Odorless, lightweight, and quick-absorbing
Suitable for all skin types, non-comedogenic, and low risk of irritation
Boosts cell regeneration and oxygenation
Fights aging, reduces appearance of wrinkles, and helps prevent UV damage to skin
Highly stable against oxidation
Includes antibacterial properties
Sustainable and environmentally friendly sourcing methods
Where can squalane be found in WAN Cosmetics:
At WAN Cosmetics, we believe in building our products around ingredients that our skin will love. Our products aim to maximize results with minimal effort and we want you to feel great about anything you apply to your skin.
Our Glisten Essence Face Oil, which incorporates olive squalane & rice bran oil, is formulated with natural ingredients sourced from across the world. Deeply nourishing and full of antioxidants, experience the incredible effects of olive & rice bran squalane by incorporating our Glisten Essence Face Oil into your daily skincare routine, or add two drops into your makeup for an ethereal glow that you’ll satisfy.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31619649/
#wan #wancosmetics #modernminimalist #sanfranciscobrand #squalane #squalene #antioxidation #skincare #antiaging #ricebranoil #olivesqualane #sustainability #plantbased #veganbeauty #cleanbeauty #skincare101
