What Does Squalane Do for Skin: Benefits and Best Products
February 09, 2026
By: Lauren Sindel
Squalane is a natural oil used in skincare products like serums and lotions to moisturize dry skin and support the skin barrier. Squalane oil is an effective skincare ingredient for all skin types thanks to its slew of benefits.
Ahead, discover all about squalane oil including what it is, how it can benefit your skin, and the best squalane products for glowing, hydrated skin.
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At Truly, our formulas are developed with clean, proven ingredients with our signature luxury touch.
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One of our favorite ingredients is squalane oil, a key ingredient in The Hydrating Face Serum (the perfect, dermatologist-tested choice for dry, dehydrated skin) and Smooth Legend Serum (our bestseller for rough, bumpy, uneven skin).
Read on to learn the top squalane benefits for skin, the difference between squalene vs. squalane, and our favorite squalane products for getting you silky smooth and glowing.
What is Squalane?
Squalane is a saturated form of squalene, a lipid that occurs naturally in your skin to keep it hydrated while strengthening your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
According to a report on the Biological Importance and Applications of Squalene and Squalane from 2012, squalane is recognized as a highly stable form of squalene, which is hydrogenated into squalane to improve its shelf life and skin-friendliness.
Benefits of Squalane for Skin
Squalane oil has many skin benefits that can help you achieve smoother, softer, more radiant looking skin. Here are some of the top squalane benefits for skin.
1. It Deeply Hydrates
Squalane is an excellent emollient that mimics the skin's natural sebum to lock in moisture, improve hydration, and prevent water loss without leaving an oily, greasy residue. Using products with squalane regularly can help promote and support supple, youthful skin.
2. It Supports Your Skin Barrier
This plant-derived oil is widely used for its barrier strengthening qualities. Squalane reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL), fills in the gaps between skin cells, and forms a protective layer, strengthening the barrier against environmental stressors while reducing dryness and irritation.
3. It Won’t Clog Your Pores
Squalane is a non-comedogenic oil, which means it won’t clog your pores or lead to breakouts. Lightweight and non-greasy, squalane is suitable for all skin types, including oily skin and acne-prone skin.
4. It Smooths Bumps and KP
Squalane is an effective emollient for smoothing skin texture and managing keratosis pilaris (KP). By mimicking skin’s natural oils, it hydrates and softens the skin’s surface to improve the appearance of rough, textured skin.
It’s often combined with alpha hydroxy acids which exfoliate the bumps, while squalane seals in moisture. We’ve paired both in our Smooth Legend Serum.
5. It May Improve Signs of Aging
Squalane contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and skin damage, which can both lead to visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. According to research published in Molecules in 2025, squalane counteracts UVA-induced cell damage while boosting collagen production.
This suggests that squalane might be helpful in reducing the appearance of fine lines and increasing skin’s firmness alongside its anti-aging preventative benefits.
Truly’s Top Squalane Products
Truly’s squalane skincare products are clean, vegan, and made with one-of-a-kind blends to restore your skin’s barrier. Whether you want a a facial serum that keeps dryness away or a body serum for bumps and rough texture, you’ll love the real, visible results you see from our products.
Truly The Hydrating Face Serum
Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid
For very dry skin and signs of aging, we recommend Truly The Hydrating Face Serum. It features squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to drench your skin in deep, multi-layer hydration that lasts.
Our squalane moisturizer is dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, and won’t clog pores. It’s a daily must-have in your skincare routine, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Plus, it contains our proprietary Tru-Barrier Complex™ which reinforces the moisture barrier to keep your skin strong, soft, and feeling its best.
Truly Smooth Legend After Shave Serum
Squalane + AHAs
If you want to improve skin texture or reduce bumps, try Truly Smooth Legend After Shave Serum. Next to squalane, it contains a blend of alpha hydroxy acids including lactic acid and glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and unclog keratin plugs to visibly improve texture.
Even if you’re a bit sensitive, this formula features squalane, plum oil, and vitamin E to support a healthy skin barrier so your skin doesn’t dry out or feel irritated.
Truly Sun Drops Bronze Body Glow
Squalane + Turmeric
To tan and smooth textured skin at the same time, try Truly Sun Drops Bronze Body Glow. It’s formulated with a nourishing blend of squalane, turmeric, and cocoa extract to give skin a natural sunkissed glow while visibly brightening and smoothing skin.
Lightweight and fragrance-free, it leaves you with an even, natural-looking tan without a greasy residue or unpleasant scent.
Squalane vs Squalene: What’s the Difference?
Squalene is a lipid that occurs naturally in your skin and plays a key role in maintaining hydration and protecting the skin barrier. However, squalene is highly unstable. When exposed to air, it oxidizes quickly, which can reduce its effectiveness and potentially contribute to clogged pores or irritation. Because of this instability, pure squalene is rarely used directly in modern skincare products.
Squalane, on the other hand, is the hydrogenated, stabilized form of squalene. Through hydrogenation, squalene is converted into squalane, making it shelf-stable, non-oxidizing, and far better suited for topical use.
In skincare, squalane:
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Mimics the skin’s natural oils
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Helps prevent moisture loss
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Supports a healthy skin barrier
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Is lightweight and non-comedogenic
In short, squalene is what your skin naturally produces, and squalane is the skincare-safe version you want in your products.
How to Use Squalane Oil for your Skin
Squalane is most effective when used in formulations that include complementary ingredients. Look for products that pair squalane with humectants such as hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, niacinamide to support the skin barrier, or exfoliating acids like AHAs to enhance skin renewal.
While squalane can be used on its own, combining it with targeted actives helps maximize its moisturizing benefits. For best results, use squalane skincare products daily to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
FAQs About Squalane
Is Squalane Good for All Skin Types?
Squalane is good for all skin types, including dry, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. It is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and gentle on the skin.
Can You Use Squalane Every Day?
Squalane can be used every day, both morning and night. Daily use helps maintain hydration and support the skin’s moisture barrier.
Does Squalane Clog Pores?
Squalane does not clog pores. It is non-comedogenic and suitable for acne-prone skin.
Is Squalane Better Than Other Facial Oils?
Squalane is more stable than many facial oils and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It does not oxidize easily and is suitable for daily use.
Can Squalane Be Used With Active Ingredients?
Squalane can be used with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol, and AHAs. It helps enhance hydration and reduce dryness associated with active treatments.
What is the Difference Between Squalane and Squalene?
Squalene is a lipid naturally produced by the skin but is unstable. Squalane is the stabilized, hydrogenated form used in skincare products.
What's the Best Squalane Serum?
The best squalane face serum is Truly The Hydrating Face Serum which moisturizes and supports the skin barrier with a blend of squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The best squalane body serum is Truly Smooth Legend Serum, a combo of squalane and AHAs to gently resurface and smooth bumps while restoring the skin's moisture barrier.
Now that you know all the benefits of squalane for skin, give your skin the moisture it’s been craving with our top squalane skincare products.
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