Squalane

Squalane is a stabilized version of squalene, a lipid your own skin already produces as part of its natural oil. That’s exactly why it’s so well tolerated by nearly every skin type.

Description

What is it?

Squalane is the hydrogenated (stabilized) form of squalene, a lipid your skin’s sebaceous glands naturally produce as part of sebum. Because squalane closely resembles a lipid your own skin already makes, it’s considered highly biocompatible and non-comedogenic — meaning it doesn’t typically clog pores.

What does it actually do?

It’s chemically close to what your skin already produces. According to PubMed, a review of skin surface lipids (Mijaljica D, Townley JP, Spada F, Harrison IP. “The heterogeneity and complexity of skin surface lipids in human skin health and disease.” Progress in Lipid Research, 2023) confirms squalene is a major component of natural sebum, alongside cholesterol and fatty acids — the same chemical family squalane is derived from. (DOI)
Supports measurable improvements in skin moisture and smoothness. According to PubMed, a randomized, double-blind trial (Kato S, Taira H, Aoshima H, Saitoh Y, Miwa N. “Clinical evaluation of fullerene-C60 dissolved in squalane for anti-wrinkle cosmetics.” Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010) found that a squalane-based cream improved skin moisture and skin-surface smoothness over an 8-week period. (DOI)

Who is it good for?

All skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, since it’s lightweight and non-comedogenic.

No real precautions — very low irritation risk.

How Mystic Dust uses it

Formulated in Hydration Boost Moisturizer, and in the Barrier Restore Advanced Barrier Repair Body Lotion.

Pairs well with

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide — already co-formulated with it in Mystic Dust products.

Use with caution alongside

Nothing specific.

Research & Findings

According to PubMed: -

Mijaljica D, Townley JP, Spada F, Harrison IP. “The heterogeneity and complexity of skin surface lipids in human skin health and disease.” Progress in Lipid Research, 2023;93:101264. DOI

Kato S, Taira H, Aoshima H, Saitoh Y, Miwa N. “Clinical evaluation of fullerene-C60 dissolved in squalane for anti-wrinkle cosmetics.” Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010;10(10):6769-6774. DOI