In the ever evolving world of ingredient-forward cosmetics, Squalane has cemented its place on shelves as a hydration hero. But, what makes it different (and better) than the rest? Welcome to Squalane 101, where we discover what it is, how it's sourced, and the properties that make this ingredient a star for healthy, radiant skin.
Squalane (with an "a") is an oil that is sustainably bioengineered to mimic the body's naturally-occurring Squalene (with an "e"), making it the ideal lightweight moisturizer for every complexion type. Sadly, our natural Squalene production decreases with age, contributing to drier and less elastic skin. That's where lab-created Squalane comes to the rescue. Its molecular structure allows it to penetrate our skin's layers to provide deep, long lasting hydration without clogging our pores. It also forms a protective barrier on the surface, preventing transepidermal water loss! The most exciting part about this ingredient, though, is that it provides benefits far beyond hydration.
One of the key reasons BiotechBeauty incorporates Squalane at high concentrations in each of our formulas is because this ingredient is clinically proven to increase microbiome diversity, which is a characteristic of younger and healthier skin. A balanced, nourished microbiome is the key to a healthy, radiant complexion as it helps shield our skin against pollution, environmental stressors, and other irritants. Check out Microbiome 101 to learn more!
Now that we know how Squalane supports our skin, let's explore where this ingredient comes from.
Some of us may already know, not all Squalane is created equal. This oil was traditionally harvested from shark livers, until biotechnology recently facilitated the creation of a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative. BiotechBeauty uses bioengineered Squalane oil developed from highly renewable, fermented sugarcane grown in Brazil.
Along with its hydration and microbiome-supporting properties, this lab-made innovation has been demonstrated to deliver 40 times more of an active ingredient into the skin than another traditional emollient. By including it in our beauty routines, we can boost the absorption and efficacy of our other skincare ingredients!
The other naturally-occurring vegan source of Squalane is olives, which consume an inefficient amount of natural resources to produce compared to bioengineered Squalane. The Squalane that we formulate with requires significantly less natural resources and contains remarkably less impurities in the final product. So, it's more environmentally sustainable than olive-derived Squalane, more ethically-sourced than shark-derived Squalane, and outperforms both in terms of purity and efficacy. Easy choice, if you ask us!
Alright, that's oil for now.
XO,
BiotechBeauy
