Crafting Cosmetics
Olive Squalane
Olive Squalane
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Product Overview
Olive Squalane is a premium, plant-derived emollient obtained through the hydrogenation of olive oil unsaponifiables, prized for its exceptional oxidative stability and biocompatibility. As a highly versatile cosmetic raw material, it delivers lightweight, non-greasy moisturization that helps restore the skin's natural lipid barrier and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Formulators value this ingredient for its ability to impart a silky, elegant slip and a remarkably smooth afterfeel, significantly enhancing the sensory profile and performance of both skin care formulations and hair care applications.
Key Benefits & Cosmetic Applications
When formulating with Olive Squalane, chemists and DIY creators alike benefit from an ingredient that seamlessly bridges high-performance skin feel with robust formulation stability. Its natural affinity with human sebum allows it to integrate beautifully into a wide array of systems, providing immediate textural improvements and long-term barrier support.
- Exceptional Emolliency & Barrier Support: Delivers lightweight, non-greasy moisturization that helps restore the skin's natural lipid barrier and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL), improving overall hydration, elasticity, and suppleness.
- Outstanding Oxidative Stability: Unlike its precursor squalene, squalane is a fully saturated hydrocarbon that is highly resistant to oxidation, ensuring extended shelf life and consistent performance in complex, stable emulsions.
- Superior Sensory Profile: Imparts a silky, elegant slip and a remarkably non-greasy afterfeel, providing exceptional texture enhancement for water-based serums, rich creams, and anhydrous systems.
- Biocompatibility & Skin Affinity: Naturally present in human sebum, it exhibits excellent affinity with the skin and hair, supporting the skin's natural barrier recovery and improving the appearance of aged or stressed skin types without clogging pores.
- Versatile Formulation Enhancer: Functions beautifully across a wide array of systems, reducing the drag of heavier butters and improving the spreadability of UV filters in professional cosmetic formulations.
Common Cosmetic Applications
- Facial Oils & Anhydrous Serums
- Moisturizers & Stable Emulsions
- Cleansing Balms & Oil Cleansers
- Hair Care & Scalp Treatments
- Color Cosmetics & Lip Care
- Body Care & Massage Formulations
Technical Profile & Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Squalane |
| CAS Number | 111-01-3 |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, practically odorless |
| Purity / Active Content | ≥ 92.0 % |
| Solubility | Oil-soluble; dispersible in most organic solvents; insoluble in water |
| Functional Class / Role | Biomimetic Emollient |
| Suggested Usage Rate | 1.0% – 10.0% |
| Recommended Processing Phase | Oil phase or cool-down phase |
| Shelf Life & Storage |
2 years. Store in a tightly sealed, light-resistant container away from exposure to direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. Although squalane is highly resistant to oxidation compared to its unsaturated counterpart (squalene), standard lipid storage protocols should be maintained to prevent potential environmental contamination or degradation of packaging integrity. |
Formulation & Processing Guidelines
How to Incorporate
- Add to the oil phase of emulsions or anhydrous formulations.
- Highly heat stable, allowing for incorporation during the heating phase, though it can also be added during the cool-down phase for cold-process systems.
Compatibility
- Compatible with virtually all cosmetic ingredients, including active compounds, UV filters, and rheology modifiers.
- Not sensitive to pH changes or electrolytes due to its non-ionic, anhydrous nature.
- Highly stable and non-oxidizing, making it an excellent carrier for oxidation-sensitive actives.
Formulation Tips
- Use at 2–5% in lightweight lotions and gel creams to improve slip and reduce the soaping effect of emulsifiers.
- Use at higher concentrations (up to 100%) in facial oils, massage blends, and anhydrous balms for intensive barrier support.
- Its excellent spreading properties make it ideal for reducing the drag of heavier waxes in color cosmetics and improving the distribution of pigments.
Suggested Applications
- O/W emulsions (face creams, body lotions)
- Anhydrous systems (facial oils, cleansing balms, solid serums)
- Hair care applications (leave-in conditioners, hair oils, scalp treatments)
- Color cosmetics (lipsticks, liquid foundations)
- Sun care formulations (to improve spreadability of UV filters)
Sustainability & Ethical Profile
Olive Squalane is a plant-derived emollient obtained through the hydrogenation of the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil. By utilizing olive oil unsaponifiables, this ingredient represents a thoughtful approach to maximizing the utility of renewable botanical feedstocks. As a fully saturated hydrocarbon, it offers inherent biodegradability and exceptional environmental stability without the risk of rancidity associated with unsaturated plant oils.
In alignment with Crafting Cosmetics sourcing standards, this ingredient is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Regulatory & Safety Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This product is supplied as a cosmetic raw material for external use only. It is intended for cosmetic and personal care formulation applications only and should not be used as a finished product.
Technical Documentation
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