What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin?

The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Women's Health article discussing squalane, an ingredient being increasingly used in moisturizing skincare products.

Dobos explained squalane is the stable version of squalene, a oil found naturally in human skin, shark liver and plants.

“Squalane is the hydrogenated form of squalene. Adding hydrogen atoms makes it much more stable,” said Dobos, a cosmetic chemist and adjunct instructor in UC's Cosmetic Science Program in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. The stability means the final product can have a longer shelf life.

Part of the reason squalane is becoming more popular is simply that it feels nice on the skin.

“It’s silky and lightweight, not as heavy as things like petrolatum but thicker than other natural oils," Dobos said. "You’re getting all of those moisturizing properties but with a really nice skin feel."

Read the Women's Health article.

Featured photo at top: A close-up image of a skin moisturizer and pipette. Photo/Andrey Mitrofanov/iStock Photo.