Educational guide
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Versus Biossance Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Versus Biossance Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil This hydrating oil is formulated around Squalane to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This acne oil is formulated around Squalane and Melaleuca Alternifolia
This guide cannot diagnose a condition or recommend a personal treatment plan. Discuss medical questions with a qualified professional.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Versus Biossance Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil
This hydrating oil is formulated around Squalane to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This acne oil is formulated around Squalane and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
C13-15 Alkane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Physalis Angulata Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Tocopherol
Limonene
Linalool
Squalane, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Physalis Angulata Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.