I am going to be doing a series of informational posts highlighting the various carrier oils, what they do, how they are beneficial, and how they are sourced. This is one of 13 oils used in our standard carrier blend.
Today I will start with one of the more misunderstood oils: Olive Oil Derived Squalane.
Originally, squalene (with an “e”) is a natural compound found in olive oil, shark liver, and even in our own skin’s sebum. It’s a hydrocarbon that helps keep skin soft and protected.
But squalene is unstable—it oxidizes quickly and doesn’t last long in formulations. That’s where squalane (with an “a”) comes in. Through a process called hydrogenation, squalene is converted into squalane, making it shelf-stable, skin-friendly, and perfect for cosmetic use.
Olive oil is one of the most popular plant-based sources. It’s rich in natural squalene, and with careful extraction and purification, producers isolate it and transform it into squalane. This involves cleaning the oil, breaking down the fats, filtering out unwanted compounds, and distilling the pure squalene before stabilizing it. The result is a silky, odorless oil that mimics your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Other sources include sugarcane (especially popular in sustainable formulations), rice bran, wheat germ, and amaranth seed. Shark liver used to be common, but ethical concerns have pushed the industry toward plant-based alternatives.
So when you see squalane in a beard oil or moisturizer, know that it’s not just a fancy name—it’s a lab-refined version of a natural compound that your skin already loves. And when it’s derived from olives, it carries a bit of Mediterranean heritage with every drop.
Olive Derived Squalane — a friendly, no-nonsense take 🌿
Olive‑derived squalane is a stable, lightweight lipid that mirrors the oils our skin and hair naturally produce. It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy residue, and feels like a reassuring bridge between therapy-level hydration and everyday practicality ✨.
Hair benefits 💇♂️
• Adds moisture and shine. Squalane smooths the hair cuticle, reduces frizz, and creates a natural-looking sheen without weighing hair down ✨.
• Reduces breakage and split ends. By improving flexibility and sealing in moisture, it helps strands resist mechanical stress from combing and heat 🔧.
• Supports scalp comfort. Lightweight and non‑greasy, squalane hydrates a dry scalp while helping balance oilier scalps so they feel less reactive 🌱.
How it assists your own natural oils 🤝
• Biomimetic support. Squalane’s structure is very similar to lipids already present in skin and hair, so it layers seamlessly with your natural oils instead of displacing them 🧪.
• Barrier reinforcement. It helps restore and protect the skin’s lipid film, reducing transepidermal water loss and keeping moisture where it belongs 💧.
• Sebum balance. Regular use can help skin regulate its oil production: dry areas retain moisture and oily zones respond with less rebound oiliness ⚖️.
Skin benefits 🧴
• Lightweight hydration and repair. Squalane locks in moisture and helps rebuild the protective lipid layer that keeps skin smooth and resilient 🌟.
• Gentle and widely compatible. It’s non‑comedogenic and calming, suitable for sensitive, acne‑prone, and dry skin types alike 🤍.
• Improves texture and appearance. With consistent use it softens roughness, supports even tone, and helps skin look healthier overall ✨.
Environmental and availability advantages 🌍
• Plant-based and traceable. Olive-derived squalane comes from olive oil processing streams, making it a transparent, agriculturally traceable ingredient 🫒.
• Efficient use of existing resources. It can be produced from the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil, essentially upcycling part of the olive harvest instead of requiring new crops or land 🔄.
• Reliable supply options. Olive extraction techniques and broader plant-based production methods provide scalable, consistent access for formulators mindful of sustainability 📈.
