Sq
Squalene
SqualeneBarrier
Unsaturated form of squalane. Naturally present in human sebum; oxidizes quickly, so cosmetic use is rare.
What it does
Squalene (with an 'e') is the natural unsaturated form found in human sebum and shark liver. The 'a' version — squalane — is the stable, hydrogenated form used in skincare. Squalene oxidizes within hours of opening and the oxidized form is comedogenic and pro-inflammatory. Squalane is the molecule you actually want; squalene appears in older or poorly-formulated products.
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
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