Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.

Most likely squalane is a new term in your vocabulary, yet it’s not a new substance. In fact, squalane is hailed as one of the best oils to keep skin hydrated, clear of blemishes, and protected from the elements. So, how is it that not everyone has heard of and uses this seemingly magical product? If you practice a plant-based or vegan lifestyle, then, up until now, you’ve avoided squalane and for good reason. Oftentimes, this compound is sourced from shark livers making it a cruel and environmentally harming substance.

Luckily, in recent years, researches have found that (like most things) squalane can also be sourced from plant-based products such as olives and fermented sugar cane. This means that this wonderfully nourishing skincare ingredient is now available in vegan-friendly design!

Squalane “is a colorless poly-unsaturated hydrocarbon liquid that’s found naturally in many animals and plants, including human sebum.” If you haven’t heard the word ‘sebum’, then it’s definitely time to get acquainted. Sebum is an essential component of healthy and youthful skin as it is “one of the many natural lipids your body produces to lubricate and protect your skin.” Those that suffer from acne generally find themselves boosting the health and reducing the production of sebum given that it’s “estimated to make up about 10 to 12 percent of your skin’s oil.”

Squalane is a “highly-effective emollient and natural antioxidant” and is excellent for moisturizing, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, eliminating scars, lightening freckles, reducing skin pigmentation, fighting free radicals, and even reversing UV damage.

With that said, as some squalane products are sourced from animals, it’s incredibly important to be wary of what you’re buying. Look for vegan products, as these will only use plant-based ingredients, generally harvested from olives, wheat germ oil, rice bran, and fermented cane sugar. Here are 10 vegan-friendly squalane skincare products to get you started!

1. Sweet Essentials 100% Pure Vegan Organic Squalane OilSweet Essentials 100% Pure Vegan Organic Squalane Oil

Sweet Essentials 100% Pure Vegan Organic Squalane Oil

This Sweet Essentials 100% Pure Vegan Organic Squalane Oil relies on non-greasy, quick absorbing, vegan vegetable and olive oil squalane. This oil promises to nourish, boost cell regeneration and oxygenation, enhance elasticity, increase moisture retention, protect against sun damage, and even prevent age spots. These unique benefits help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, won’t clog your pores, counteracts eczema and psoriasis, and is great for sensitive acne prone skin! A 2-liquid ounce bottle costs $15.99.

Ella Belle says “I am so pleased with this brand of Squalane and that it is derived from organic olive oil. I was buying a more expensive brand that I loved, but recently they changed over to selling Squalane derived from sugar beets. I don’t know if it really makes much difference, but I just wanted to stick with an olive oil derived Squalane, so I am glad to have found this brand on Amazon, and at a much better price too!”

2. Equal by Nature Squalane Oil 100% Pure & VeganEqual by Nature Squalane Oil 100% Pure & Vegan

Source: Equal by Nature Squalane Oil 100% Pure & Vegan

This Equal by Nature Squalane Oil 100% Pure & Vegan offers an all natural, potent, and one hundred percent vegan squalane product. This pure squalane oil focuses on providing maximum hydration without leaving a greasy residue. Equal by Nature is proud to offer a fragrance-free product that promotes skin suppleness for all skin types. A 30-milliliter bottle costs $14.99.

Shannon Browne says “Great product. Used for my clients and myself.”

3. Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel MoisturizerBiossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Biossance is a Berkeley, California-based research lab that turned its sights on plant-based, cruelty-free, animal-product and by-product free skincare products. This Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer follows these strict and environmentally-friendly guidelines. Biossance offers a unique nontoxic, paraben free, peg gree, and fragrance-free blend of sustainable sugarcane-derived squalane and lactococcus ferment lysate probiotic to help improve hydration, calm and reduce redness, and reduce pore size. A 1.6-ounce jar costs $93.00.

macleish says “I was in the market for a new exfoliator and a sales rep at Sephora recommended this one. I am so impressed. It leaves your skin feeling super soft and brighter. While on skin you can feel it tingle (which in my mind means it’s working). After about 10 minutes, you gently exfoliate with the cream and done. All in one perfect facial routine. I am in love!”

4. Swanson Vegetarian-Vegan Squalane OilSwanson Vegetarian-Vegan Squalane Oil

Swanson Vegetarian-Vegan Squalane Oil

This Swanson Vegetarian-Vegan Squalane Oil offers a plant-based, odorless, colorless moisturizer that can be mixed with your favorite hand and face cream or diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or olive oil. Swanson sources their squalane from all natural olive oil. This product was manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices and is guaranteed purity and potency. A 2-fluid ounce bottle costs $13.07.

Amazon Customer says ” Love, Love, Love this product!!! I look years younger and family and friends continually comment at how ‘I never age’! No one believes that I will be 70 in less than a year! Try it! You will never regret it!!!”

5. Naked 100% Pure Olive-Derived Squalane Oil Naked 100% Pure Olive-Derived Squalane Oil

Naked 100% Pure Olive-Derived Squalane Oil

This Naked 100% Pure Olive-Derived Squalane Oil is a perfect natural skin moisturizer utilizing squalane lipids that are already naturally present in our skin. Naked sources their squalane from high quality, sustainably grown olive oil trees with zero pesticides or other contaminants. This blend nourishes the skin with nutrients that promote wound healing, soothe irritation and sunburn, and can replenish lipids over time. A 30-milliliter bottle costs $14.20.

Brittany says “I’m leaving a review for this product hoping that it may help others as it helped me! I apply this on my face in the evening after moisturizing, and in the morning before I apply my makeup, and it makes a WORLD of difference for my normally dry and sometimes flaky skin. It produces a healthy looking “glow” and a smooth appearance. It is especially great because every other serum or oil I’ve tried irritates my sensitive skin. This squalene oil is completely natural, feels great, and never has irritated my skin once. You only need a few drops to do the job. Would highly recommend!”

6. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived SqualaneOrdinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

This Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a simple, plant-based squalane serum that focuses on not only providing hydration but helps the skin retain moisture long term. Moisture retention helps boost dermal suppleness and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Ordinary does warn customers that this product has no safety seal. A 30-milliliter bottle costs $12.50.

Nancy Lindquist says “Light serum in a dark bottle. Cold pressed and not animal derived, it can be marine-derived, or olive oil, according to the company. I was a cosmetic formulator by trade and The Ordinary seems to be incredibly minimal, but dead on as to particular skin conditions. I have mature skin and acne, yuck. I am fifty three and no acne would be nice. I’ve tried other oils, but honestly they made me look dewy and drippy. Squalane is not like that. It’s a little runny, be careful when you drop some, you don’t need to squeeze the end, it will run into your hand, apply with clean fingers and allow to stay, or rinse with warm water, gently, then tone, non-alcohol, no drying, and sunscreen, or your nighttime routine. I love how this sinks into my skin, is not greasy and seems to be all in there before I rinse and use toner. I love it.”

7. Amara Beauty Squalane Oil Moisturizer with 100% Pure Plant Derived Squalane Amara Beauty Squalane Oil Moisturizer with 100% Pure Plant Derived Squalane

Amara Beauty Squalane Oil Moisturizer with 100% Pure Plant Derived Squalane

Amara is a trusted brand that offers a variety of vegan and cruelty-free products including this Amara Beauty Squalane Oil Moisturizer with 100% Pure Plant Derived Squalane. This product is lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for sensitive and acne prone skin. With a vegan, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic, sugarcane-derived squalane oil blend, this product helps boost and retain moisture and hydration. A 2-fluid ounce bottle costs $15.95.

Judi says “It’s a lightweight smooth clear oil that soaks into skin. I use 2 to 3 drops on face. One on neck. I massage in, if any excess, blot with tissue or soft cloth. Then I add a little creamy moisturizer. Then my liquid makeup base. Blend well, I love the round red sponge to blend (old school guess). Buff with lightweight powder, must use very light layer. Anyways, LOVE IT. My wrinkles are softening. Wish I had this when I was younger. P.S. I put the whole bottle in a heavy short drinking glass because I am afraid I will knock the bottle over on my bathroom counter since you use a dropper type dispenser, works best for me since I am in a rush a lot.”

8. Kantora Squalane Nourishing Organic Olive Oil MoisturizerKantora Squalane Nourishing Organic Olive Oil Moisturizer

Kantora Squalane Nourishing Organic Olive Oil Moisturizer

This Kantora Squalane Nourishing Organic Olive Oil Moisturizer is a completely undiluted, plant-derived, moisture boosting facial oil. Kantora is proud to use fair trade and 100 percent organic ingredients. Use this oil not just on your skin, but also on your hair! This blend will not only hydrate, but it will repair and strengthen hair, restore skin’s elasticity, and diminish signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. A 2-fluid ounce bottle costs $19.99.

martha l nowygrod says “Squalene is used in skincare products as a highly-effective emollient and natural antioxidant. Historically, it has been used in the medical field to treat wounds and skin problems. Squalene can be used as an effective skin moisturizer. Once squalane is absorbed into the skin, it naturally operates as an antioxidant. It is good for hair too. Squalane is a deeply nutritive emollient which shares all of olive oil’s natural skin enhancing and softening benefits. I have seen improvements in my skin and hair since I started using this emollient three weeks ago.”

9. Biossance 100% Squalane Oil 41qE55kkY5L

Source: Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

This list would not be a good vegan squalane compilation without more than one Biossance product! This Biossance 100% Squalane Oil is completely plant-derived, cruelty-free, and has zero animal-product. It’s great to use for your face, body, and hair. This product is also paraben free, non-toxic, fragrance-free, and peg free. Biossance sources their squalane from sustainable and renewable sugarcane. This blend moisturizes, calms redness, and soothes irritation. A 3.3-liquid ounce bottle costs $46.48.

Gordie says “Love the feel of it and it doesn’t have any scent attached to it. Like the fact that it is made in the USA as well.”

10. Timeless Skin Care Vegan and Cruelty-Free 100% Pure Squalane61WM1tXtMzL. SY679

Source: Timeless Skin Care Vegan and Cruelty-Free 100% Pure Squalane

The packaging is simple and so is this clean and pure squalane product! This Timeless Skin Care Vegan and Cruelty-Free 100% Pure Squalane sources its squalane from 100 percent pure olive oil. Timeless Skin Care promises their product to be non-greasy, quick-absorbing and free of parabens. This product helps lubricate and protect your skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. A 2-fluid ounce bottle costs $14.75.

Susan E. Harper says “After a week using this product, I’m ecstatic with the results. I have aging skin, with wrinkles and loss of elasticity. (My throat has its own savings account for plastic surgery.) Nothing has worked to relieve the red, sagging skin and I have a closet full of turtle necks. I can’t wait to cleanse my face every evening and apply this. My throat’s texture is markedly better. If it improves more, I may take a big vacation instead of scheduling a throat lift. My nightly routine is now cleanse am and pm with Cetaphil, rinse with a warm washcloth, apply squalane all over my face and neck, chest and hands. After a few minutes, I apply Cerave moisturizer which was recommended by my dermatologist. It’s super lightweight and wonderfully hydrating. This and sunscreen (in my Cerave) is all I’m taking to Colorado. I get really dry there, but I feel confident it’s enough. I don’t write many reviews, but I read them. This product is spectacular enough to warrant the time. Excellent value. Fabulous product. You won’t regret risking ten bucks for a large bottle.”

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!

Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please support us!