The ingredient, explained

Squalene

Squalene has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

EmollientAntistaticHair conditioningRefattingSkin conditioning

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

2‚6,10‚15‚19‚23-Hexamethyltetracosa-2‚6,10‚14‚18‚22-hexaene

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Antistatic: Reduces the build-up of static electrical charge on surfaces.
Hair conditioning: Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
Refatting: Replenishes lipids on hair or the outer skin layers.
Skin conditioning: A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The report summarizes animal toxicity and irritation studies and limited human irritation or sensitization testing of squalene-containing formulations.

What this does not tell us

Historical safety assessment, not a clinical benefit trial. The original journal citation is 1982; migrated publisher header shows 1990.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.3109/10915818209013146 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 5 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.