Which is more beneficial to use as a substitute for Squalene or Squalane?
We’ve previously discussed the skincare industry’s overwhelming nature, specifically in regards to today’s two ingredients that are remarkably similar. Don’t worry, though, because I’m here today to explain things to you and determine which is superior, squalene or squalane? With this said, we should begin!
Is squalane identical to squalene?
Here is a concise description of the difference between squalene and squalane:
Squalene
Naturally present in the body and involved in the production of sebum (the natural oil present in the skin).
Is a supplement with a natural anti-inflammatory and can preserve the skin’s barrier.
Reduces the visibility of fine lines and sun-related damage.
Famous for having a short lifespan and being unstable.
Squalane
Originally derived from shark’s livers, but now it’s produced using vegetable oils.
Also possible via the process of hydrogenation, this is the process that results in the production of squalene.
It’s more constant than squalene and has a longer lifespan.
Facilitates the reduction of aging signs and patches of dry skin.
Squalene is actually produced by the body in the sebaceous glands of the skin. This substance is called an ‘e’. This is the area where sebum, the oil found in the body, is released onto the skin’s surface. This will, depending on the type of skin, determine the amount of sebum present. By this is meant that oily skin types have more sebum than others, but generally, for the skin to remain healthy and functioning as intended, it needs to have a certain amount of sebum to remain hydrated. With squalene being a lipid, it can maintain the health of the skin by repairing any damage while combating free radicals, such as the exposure of UV rays and pollution.
Squalene has a negative side effect: its production begins to slow down as we age past 30, this results in the skin having signs of premature aging and possibly becoming dry. To mitigate this intrinsic process, you can augment the hydrating effects of the skin with ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Also, there is an interesting aspect to remember regarding both of these ingredients: the instability of squalene is noted, this is why numerous formulations have been developed to convert squalane into squalene. To create the squalane with an “a”, it must first pass through a hydrogenated state, this results in a longer shelf life and the potential to be exposed to air without the fear of becoming oxidized and losing its potency.
For years, squalane was employed in products after it was gathered from the shark’s liver. For obvious reasons, the majority of the shift occurred toward a more ethical source, this led to squalane being derived from plants, such as olives and rice Bran, as well as other plant oils, such as, amaranth seed, wheat germ and sugar cane.
What is the purpose of squalane for your face?
Squalene is thought to have a production of up to 12% of the skin’s natural油脂, this is important for the health of the skin’s barrier. With its powerful hydrating capabilities, it can maintain the skin’s appearance and feel of moisture. Ageing signs and dry areas are reduced significantly by the squalane’s ability to maintain the overall health of the skin’s protective barrier, this prevents the skin from being exposed to the free radical damage caused by sunlight. This damage is inflicted by pollution, sunlight’s rays, central heating and other environmental adversaries that come in contact with the skin on a daily basis. With the assistance of squalane, your skin will appear fuller, healthier with a uniform texture, tone and consistency, all of which are associated with youth.
Is squalane more effective than hyaluronic acid?
Similar to squalene, hyaluronic acid is also produced naturally by the body, however, its production is also decreasing as we age. When considered as a whole, these plants seem to have a similar effect on the skin, both of them provide a significant amount of moisture to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is considered a humectant, which means it can enter the skin and attach to the water in the skin cells. This causes the skin to acquire water from the atmosphere and products around the face, this will also keep the surface barrier fully hydrated and in good condition.
For squalane, the results are similar but you may find that those with a dehydrated and dry skin type have a primarily benefactor’s effect, because of its ability to promote the production of sebum as well as maintain the protective barrier in a healthy state. For those with a hyaluronic acid-based skin type, this ingredient will be more beneficial. Any signs of uneven skin tone or the presence of acne scarring will be reduced significantly.
Can I incorporate squalane into my diet and take vitamin C with it?
You can actually say that there are certain serums and components that are successful together, along with vitamin C and squalane, these two components are among them. When compared to serums, their consistency is typically lightweight, which makes it easy to apply and have a greater reach into the lower layers of the skin. This enables the application of treatments that require hydration, or other properties, to the areas of the skin that have concerns, including the aging process itself, as well as uneven skin tone. When combining vitamin C with squalane, it’s best to apply the vitamin C first to the target dark spots and lackluster skin, followed by squalane to increase the hydration of the skin.
Does squalane occur prior to or following the moisturizer?
This is contingent on the product’s composition of squalane, which I am referring to is if it is in a face wash, serum or toner, it should be applied prior to a moisturizer. For the greatest effect, I would advise you to cleans your skin, Remove the buildup of dead skin cells using a toner that contains an AHA such as glycolic acid or lactic acid. Once the barrier is gone, you can use a serum that is rich in squalane to promote health and moisture to your cleaned skin. You can combine this with a moisturizer, eye cream, and SPF if you’re using this routine during the day in order to avoid the sun’s harmful radiation.
Today’s hope has helped you understand which is better and how to choose the ingredient that will best benefit you and your skin type. If you wish to learn more about squalane and squalene, you can explore our blog’s content. Remember to come back and join us on Instagram for daily updates, product launches and promotions!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
