“Squalane?”Here!
Appears in 1 scanned product.
In personal care
A stable, saturated oil that is chemically very close to a substance your own skin already makes. It can be derived from olives, sugarcane, or (historically) shark liver, though plant sources now dominate the market.
Why it’s used
It is a lightweight emollient that softens and smooths skin without feeling greasy, and it resists going rancid the way many unsaturated oils do.
What the evidence says
EPA's TSCA screening review compiles multiple human and animal studies directly relevant to topical use: three human skin-sensitization studies using undiluted (100%) squalane under repeated occlusive patch conditions all reported negative results, and four human skin-irritation studies plus two rabbit studies (using 50-100% squalane) also reported negative results. Oral repeated-dose, reproductive/developmental, and genotoxicity studies in animals likewise found no adverse effects up to the highest doses tested, and dermal absorption was described as low. Some underlying studies note purity not reported or non-GLP status, and EPA's TSCA jurisdiction formally excludes personal-care products, but the hazard data itself (human patch studies with undiluted squalane) reflect dermal exposure consistent with cosmetic use and show no evidence of irritation or sensitization.
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