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Squalane is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in sebum.

It sounds quite similar tosqualeneand can be easy to confuse if you aren’t familiar with their differences.

squalane on blue background

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“Squalane is the hydrogenated form of squalene,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner.

This is unsustainable given the increase in shark poaching which has damaged their population numbers.

Most companies are now using plant-based forms of squalane in their products.

you’re free to find this information on the product’s label.

However, if you have an adverse reaction, be sure to consult with your doctor.

For that reason, squalane makes a great base for actives like retinol and niacinamide.

you’re free to also use it beforeapplying retinolto cut down on irritation.

In addition, squalane has anti-inflammatory properties in and of itself that can help decrease irritation."

To combat this, Woodman recommends what she callsthe oil sandwich.

So layering a moisturizer after applying squalane can ensure that all of the good stuff sinks in.

Here’s a look at go-to products from beloved brands that incorporate squalane.