What It Does

Both squalane and squalene seem to help:

• Moisten your skin
• Make it more supple or elastic
• Make fine lines and dry patches less visible

Even though squalene is oily, skin products that include it may be safe to use if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Talk to your dermatologist first before trying.

Scientists sometimes use squalene as part of a substance that’s added to certain vaccines. They hope it’ll boost your body’s defenses. They call these types of added substances “adjuvants.”

What It’s Used In

Product makers use squalene from certain animals or plants in things like:

• Health foods
• High-grade machine oil
• OTC drugs
• Dietary supplements

How It’s Made

Scientists turn squalene into the more solid squalane by adding hydrogen to it. That’s a process called hydrogenation.

Where It Comes From

The squalane used in cosmetics, medicines, and supplements often comes from sharks. That’s because sharks — especially ones that live in deep water — have a lot of squalene in their liver oil.

In people, squalene is a key building block of certain hormones and other substances. Your bloodstream carries it throughout your body. Much of it goes to your skin. Newborns seem to have the most squalene. Your liver starts to make less of it after you turn 30 years old.

Squalene shows up naturally in foods like eggs and vegetable oils.