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The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane bottle
The Ordinary

100% Plant-Derived Squalane

Face Oil 30 ml
9.1OUT OF 10
Great formula

Formula has a high safety profile. Suitable for most skin types.

1
Safe
0
Caution
0
Higher risk

Score breakdown

Safety10/10
Barrier support10/10
Acne-safe10/10
Active treatment0.6/10

Our verdict

A one-ingredient product, and one of the few cases where that is a genuine strength rather than a gimmick. Squalane is the hydrogenated, shelf-stable version of squalene — a lipid your own sebum already produces, and one that declines steadily with age. Because it is skin-identical, it absorbs cleanly, softens without heaviness, and reduces water loss without the occlusive weight of a balm. With no fragrance, no preservatives and nothing else to react to, it is about as low-risk as skincare gets: safe for sensitive skin, unlikely to clog, and usable anywhere from face to cuticles to hair ends. It is also the classic buffer — a drop mixed with or applied after a retinoid or acid takes the edge off irritation without blocking the active. What it does not do is treat anything. There are no antioxidants, no actives, no anti-aging mechanism; this is pure emollient. It also will not hydrate on its own, since it seals moisture rather than supplying it — apply it over damp skin or a hydrating layer, not onto dry skin alone. For that job, at this price, it is close to unbeatable.

At a glance

What it does
barrier support
Best for
sensitive skinacne-prone skindry and dehydrated skinmost skin types
Not enough for
visible hyperpigmentationactive anti-aging treatment

Key ingredients

Squalanesoftens and supports the barrier

Full ingredient list (1)

Squalane

Colour indicates our safety assessment for each ingredient — green is well-tolerated, amber warrants caution, red is higher-risk. Tap any ingredient to read its full profile.

Frequently asked

Is squalane good for acne-prone skin?
Generally yes. Squalane is lightweight, non-fragranced and rated very low for comedogenicity, and because it mimics skin's own lipids it tends to sit well even on oily skin. As with any oil, patch test first, but it is one of the safer choices for blemish-prone skin.
Does squalane moisturise on its own?
Not exactly — it is an emollient and light occlusive, meaning it softens skin and slows water loss, but it does not supply water. Apply it over damp skin or on top of a hydrating serum or moisturiser so it has moisture to seal in.
What is the difference between squalene and squalane?
Squalene is the unstable form found naturally in sebum and plants; it oxidises quickly. Squalane is the hydrogenated version — stable, long-lasting and suitable for skincare. The Ordinary's is plant-derived (typically from olives or sugarcane), not shark-derived.
What is the score based on?
The score comes from the same Pure Moonlight ingredient analyzer used across the whole site. It weighs safety, barrier support, acne and comedogenic risk, and active-ingredient strength. A single-ingredient emollient scores low on active strength by design — that is not a flaw here.

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