Squalane, a moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics

Squalane is the main ingredient of some current moisturizing cosmetics. Before introducing squalane in detail, let's first understand the difference between squalene and squalene. The two are closely related. Squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon produced in the process of cholesterol synthesis and metabolism and is an important part of sebum. For the skin, squalene plays many roles, such as moisturizer, barrier protector, free radical antagonist, and can also inhibit the peroxidation of sebum and delay aging.

Relevant studies have shown that squalene is distributed in major organs of the human body, and its content in sebum is particularly high. Whether the skin is moisturized is affected by squalene. 15~18 years old is the peak age of squalene content, and the skin of people in this age group looks most hydrated. After the age of 20, the content of squalene in sebum gradually decreases, and it looks less watery. However, squalene is very unstable and has the disadvantage of being easily oxidized, making it inconvenient to use and store. Later, scientists discovered squalane, which is similar in structure to squalene, has similar effects, but is more stable and compatible with most cosmetic raw materials.

Squalane inherits the advantages of squalene, such as skin affinity, good permeability, and can quickly melt with the sebum membrane to form a natural protective barrier. At the same time, it has low polarity and moderate spreadability, and is pure, colorless, and odorless, and it can also inhibit the growth of mold.

Squalane, also known as deep sea shark liver oil, squalane, and isotriacontane. Initially, scientists obtained squalane by hydrogenating the squalene extracted from the liver of deep-sea sharks. In other words, squalane is a hydride of squalene. In recent years, it has been discovered that a small amount of squalane can also be extracted from olive oil, rice bran oil, wheat germ oil, Yeast, etc. Consumers are paying more and more attention to the protection of marine animals. Squalane made from olive oil is gradually replacing the squalane extracted from shark liver.

Squalane is a natural sealant. From a chemical point of view, it is inert, non-toxic, has good skin affinity, and does not cause skin allergies. Currently, squalane, as an oily raw material for advanced cosmetics, is often used in products such as creams, lotions, eyeliners, eye shadows and hair conditioners. What is the effect of squalane?

Common benefits of squalane

Squalane is a kind of oil that is most similar to human sebum. It has high oxygen-carrying properties. After use, it can be integrated with human sebum, forming a layer of good permeability protective film on the skin surface, allowing the skin to metabolize Water smoothly With AIR, it can not only prevent moisture loss, nourish the skin, but also not greasy. Squalane maintains the balance between skin and sebum. While deep moisturizing, it can also improve the skin's ability to absorb moisture and other nutrients. Long-term use can improve skin problems such as sagging, dryness, peeling, roughness, and dullness. The skin becomes supple.

Squalane has a good antioxidant effect, thanks to its ability to efficiently penetrate into the skin, promote the growth and reproduction of skin basal cells, and inhibit skin lipid peroxidation. Oxidation is one of the main causes of skin aging. From this perspective, squalane can delay skin aging. Epidermis and cells

Squalane can accelerate skin repair and repair damaged cells. This is due to the ability of squalane to open the pores of the skin, promote microcirculation between blood, accelerate the metabolism of skin cells, and then achieve the role of repairing damaged cells. For people with thin stratum corneum and red blood on the face, skin care products containing squalane are one of the best choices for removing red blood streaks and thickening the stratum corneum.

Some people have unhealthy sebum membranes, weak resistance, and are more sensitive to external stimuli, so they are not suitable for stimulating skin care products. Squalane is an alkane structure. It has a smooth skin feel, non-greasy, non-heavy, mild, and non-allergenic. The sebum protective film formed on the skin surface can help the skin block external pollution and irritation, prevent or relieve allergic symptoms, and is sensitive to skin. Safe ingredients that can be used.

The above is about the efficacy and effect of squalane. Skin care products containing squalane ingredients are very popular in the market, and many products are made by beauty bloggers willing to be "tap water" hot skin care products. Although squalane is highly skin-friendly and can delay aging, it also has some problems.

First of all, the use of skin care products containing squalane need to pay attention to the control of water and oil. Before using, be sure to do a good job of hydrating. For example, use a moisturizing spray, or pat water on your face after washing your face. Using squalane skin care products when the face is well hydrated can prevent acne caused by imbalance of water and oil. What needs to be emphasized is that oily skin produces strong oil. Squalane is an oily active ingredient. If you use it, you must start with a small amount and slowly find the amount that suits you. Dry skin is characterized by lack of water and oil, poor absorption capacity, and prone to fine lines. When using squalane skin care products, remember to do a good job of hydrating. Although the skin feel of squalane is very light and thin, it has medium moisturizing and water-holding ability. For dry skin, or in dry and cold seasons, it must be used with other products.

At present, most of the squalane used in squalane skin care products is extracted from olive oil, amaranth oil, palm oil and other vegetable oils, especially crude olive oil has the highest content of squalene, which is gradually Replace the squalane extracted from shark liver.

At present, as an active ingredient with good efficacy, squalane is relatively expensive and is generally used in medium and high-end cosmetics.