Olive Squalane
Lightweight Hydration for Soft, Supple Skin
Olive squalane is one of the most skin-compatible emollients available. Lightweight yet remarkably effective, it helps soften skin, reduce moisture loss, and leave behind a silky, velvety feel without the heaviness or greasiness of many oils.
Because its structure closely resembles the protective lipids naturally found in human sebum, it absorbs beautifully and feels as though it belongs on the skin.
Squalene, from which squalane is produced, is one of the major lipids naturally found in human sebum—the protective oil our skin produces to help keep itself soft, supple, and resilient.
Although it was first identified in shark liver oil over a century ago, it is now obtained from renewable plant sources, including sustainably grown olives, providing a cruelty-free, vegan alternative to animal-derived sources.
Our Olive Squalane is 100% plant-derived, sourced from sustainably grown olives. We chose olive-derived squalane because it aligns with our commitment to thoughtfully sourced botanical ingredients while delivering the same exceptional skin compatibility and elegant sensory feel that make this ingredient so highly valued in skincare.
The amount of squalene our skin produces naturally is highest during our younger years and gradually declines with age. As these protective lipids decrease, skin often becomes drier, less supple, and more prone to moisture loss. Olive squalane helps reinforce the skin's moisture barrier by creating a lightweight, breathable layer that helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), leaving skin feeling noticeably softer, smoother, and more comfortable.
One of the qualities we appreciate most about olive squalane is the way it feels on the skin. Unlike many richer oils, it provides exceptional glide and cushion without feeling oily or heavy. It glides effortlessly across the skin, softens rough texture, and leaves behind a smooth, velvety finish rather than a waxy or coated feel. Despite its moisturizing properties, olive squalane is considered non-comedogenic, making it an excellent choice for dry, combination, oily, and blemish-prone skin alike. This beautiful sensory profile makes it especially well suited for facial moisturizers, eye care products, and formulations designed for sensitive or reactive skin.
This beautiful sensory profile makes it especially well suited for facial moisturizers, eye care products, and formulations designed for sensitive or reactive skin.
Its remarkable compatibility with the skin, exceptional stability, and elegant feel are just a few reasons why olive squalane has become one of our favorite botanical emollients. We use it in our best-selling Face & Eye Mousse, where it helps create the silky, cushiony texture and lasting softness our customers love.
Squalene vs Squalane
Squalene (with an “e”) is a polyunsaturated oil found naturally in many plants—including olives, rice bran, wheat germ, amaranth, sugarcane, and palm—as well as in human sebum. Our skin produces squalene as part of its protective lipid layer, helping keep skin soft, lubricated, and comfortable. It is also found in large amounts in shark liver (squalene from sharks has been banned in the European Union since 2009).
The challenge with squalene is that it is highly unstable. Exposure to oxygen causes it to oxidize rapidly, turn rancid, and spoil—making it unsuitable for use in cosmetic formulations.
In order to make squalene more stable, it is combined with hydrogen. This hydrogenation process converts the polyunsaturated squalene into a stable, saturated oil known as squalane (with an “a”).
Hydrogenation, which does not alter the ingredient’s beneficial properties, prevents oxidation and increases the shelf life. Some Squalane is also found naturally in plants and human sebum, but in very small amounts.
Buyer Beware: Because hydrogenation is required to produce squalane, it cannot legally be certified organic under USDA rules. If a company claims to sell “organic squalane,” it is wise to request their USDA organic certificate for that specific ingredient—something they will not be able to provide.
