Squalane: learn all about the active of the moment to moisturize the skin
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If you are always up to date with beauty trends, you have surely heard of squalane. Used in moisturizers, serums, lip products and even in some Covid-19 vaccines It is derived from squalene, a chemical compound discovered in 1906 and present in shark liver oil.
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Discovery of squalane
When conducting research with a breed of shark from the South Pacific (more specifically from the deep waters off Okinawa, Japan), scientists found a curious fact about the animals: they did not develop malignant tumor .
They soon realized that this was due to the presence of squalene, which can also act on the hydration The problem is that killing the sharks to acquire this compound was not sustainable at all, so the researchers started looking for other (safer and more effective) ways to obtain the active ingredient.
This is how they found squalene in plant sources, such as olives, almonds, and sugarcane And even in human skin: our sebaceous glands produce the substance from the time we are babies, but production begins to decline by the age of 20.
From there they developed squalane, a more stable form of squalene that goes through a process called hydrogenation to become a saturated oil. This makes it easier to use on the skin because it lasts longer.
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What it is used for
The squalane hydrates the skin, besides ensuring more firmness and elasticity, which contributes to the prevention of wrinkles and expression lines. acne In other words, the active is quickly recognized and absorbed by the body, without leaving a "sticky" feeling and without clogging pores.
In addition, specialists often use squalane as an adjuvant in the composition of certain vaccines The intention is to enhance the production of antibodies .
How to use squalane
On a daily basis, you can find the substance in facial moisturizers, serums, lip balms But it can also be used in make-up, shampoos and conditioners, body lotions, and products for the hands and cuticles.
Versatile, squalane can be combined with vitamin C, E, retinol and salicylic acid .
