There is endless talk about the benefits of facial oil for the skin, but problematic and oily skin has no place in these stories. However, it all comes down to knowing the types of oils and their level of comedogenicity, which inevitably leads you to do a little research. Along the way, you will undoubtedly come across squalane, an oil that is often called oil-free and is recommended for skin with a problem with excessive sebum secretion.

Introducing a new ingredient into your routine is always exciting, but also scary, so rather than leave you to research this interesting and seemingly strange oil on your own - below we'll tell you everything you need to know about it.

SQUALEN OR SQUALEN?

At the beginning, it is important to explain the difference so that there is no confusion. Squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon that is found in our sebum, as well as in the liver of sharks - it is the extraction of squalene from killed sharks that has led to the endangerment of certain species, which is why squalene is now mostly obtained from plants. primarily olives. On the other hand, squalane is a saturated derivative of squalene.

Squalane is a more stable variant of squalene, which means it is much more difficult to oxidize, i.e., it is more difficult to cross-link.

HOW DOES SQUALAN WORK?

First of all, it is praised as a so-called non-greasy oil because it is suitable for problematic and oily skin because it does not cause clogging of pores. Its specific texture and chemical structure are similar to our sebum and actually give the body a signal that the face is naturally “moisturized” enough so that the pores will not produce additional sebum - thus squalane balances sebum production and helps to avoid extreme oiliness of the skin.

Because it is an emollient, it creates a light protective layer on the skin's surface and helps retain hydration in the skin, but it also has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties that help the skin age beautifully and healthily and alleviate various skin problems.

Because squalane is more stable than squalene, meaning it oxidizes more strongly, it acts as an indirect antioxidant, as it replaces the naturally occurring squalene in our skin. Our squalene oxidizes easily, especially if we are exposed to the sun too much without a protective factor or use a low-quality protective factor, or if we lack antioxidants in our diet or skin care. Poorly performed skin care can also have a pro-oxidative effect on the skin and cause a chain reaction that accelerates the oxidation of our squalene. Squalene-oxidizing products have been implicated in the development of some skin diseases, such as acne.

STILL SKEPTICAL?

Don't worry, most skin types will never have a reaction to squalane. It can be worn morning and night, you can mix it with makeup, and you don't have to worry about it making your skin oily faster. Plus, over time, you'll notice a beautiful glow to your skin, firmer skin, and a more even complexion. Try it in L'ADRIA REJUVENATING OIL too.