Find out what shark liver and the human skin have in common, and why there’s squalene in beauty products you’re already using.
The human skin is quite an amazing organ! Not only is it the largest organ in the human body, but it’s one of the most self-sustaining of all. With proper circulation–delivering food and oxygen–the skin can basically cleanse itself, protect itself, and get rid of infections. You’ll find that your skin is also one of the toughest parts of your body! Your skin produces a lot of sebum, which is essential oil. Roughly 10% of that skin oil is sqaualane, a nutrient that serves as a protective barrier. The squalane locks moisture inside your skin (keeping it nicely hydrated), but it also keeps toxins and pollutants OUT. It shields your body from the environment. Interestingly enough, squalane is produced by your liver. It’s a sort of pre-cursor to cholesterol, and it will help to keep your skin healthy.
Squalene, on the other hand, is a compound that comes from shark livers (and the livers of other deep sea sharks). In order to produce squalene, sharks must be killed and their livers harvested for the oil–the same oil that is produced by your skin. Squalene is far less natural than squalane, and it is not as stable when exposed to oxygen.
The good thing about squalane is that it’s a natural compound produced by your skin, and it’s the far cheaper option. It has a longer shelf life than the squalene derived from deep sea shark livers. You’ll find that the average squalane product lasts for about two years after opening, while squalene products won’t last quite that long.
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What Does Squalane/Squalene Do?
- Lubricate the surface of your skin, trap moisture beneath the surface of the skin, and keep toxins and pollutants out
- Fight bacteria and germs, and even possibly treat eczema
- Reduce the excess production of oil, thereby helping to reduce acne problems
- Balance your complexion (making it an excellent spot treatment)
- Reduce the visibility of scars and freckles, reverse damage done by the UV rays of the sun, and eliminate wrinkles
- Fight free radicals (reducing the damage done to your skin)
- Condition your hair (when applied to your scalp), making the strands strong, shiny, and far more supple and less likely to break
- Protect your body from cancer, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, shingles, psoriasis, and hemorrhoids (when ingested in capsule form)
As you can see, squalene and squalane both offer A LOT of health benefits, particularly to your skin.
“But,” you may be wondering, “is there any way to get squalane and squalene products without killing sharks? That just sounds cruel!”
Well, there are forms of squalene that are produced from plant sources. Rice, wheat germ, bran, amaranth seeds, and olives all contain squalene, and the compound can be extracted and used just like the stuff that comes from shark liver oil. To find the non-animal squalene, look for the “vegetable-based” or “vegetable origin” products. They will be the ones that are made from the plant sources listed above, and will be made without harming any animals in the process. Squalane and squalene are both excellent for your skin’s health. The nutrient is exactly like the compounds your skin produces, so it’s easily absorbed into your skin and is highly effective at protecting it from damage.
