Squalane at Typology, a vegan ingredient.

Squalane is derived from the hydrogenation of squalene, a component naturally present in human sebum in a percentage of around 15%. Because of this characteristic, squalane is particularly well assimilated by the skin and the capillary fibers. It is also completely harmless and can be added to a cosmetic formula up to a maximum concentration of 100% without any contraindication.

In terms of benefits, squalane is a dry oil that repairs the hydrolipidic film, allowing it to play its full role: limiting water loss and protecting the skin from external aggressions. Thus, squalane is mainly recognized for its moisturizing properties; it is recommended for dry skin as well as for dry and split hair. Squalane also has excellent sensory properties. It is an emollient: it softens the touch of the formulas and facilitates their spreading.

Squalane has been extracted from shark livers since its beginning of use. This process of obtaining is more and more regulated, but unfortunately a large proportion of this active ingredient present on the international market remains of animal origin. At Typology, we only use vegan squalane. Find out how it is extracted below.

Vegetable squalane from olive oil began to be used as a replacement for animal squalane in the 1980s.

The vegan squalane is derived from olive oil residues, sugar cane, rice, wheat, sugar beet, palm oil or amaranth. In the case of olive oil squalane, the process consists of recovering the unsaponifiable squalene through a distillation process to remove the olive pulp that will be used to supply the oil. The squalene is then hydrogenated to squalane. Hydrogenation consists in combining a compound with a molecule of dihydrogen (H₂). The whole process takes place without any solvent. Moreover, the olive is the preferred source, with a particularly low environmental impact in the context of sustainable or organic agriculture, which preserves biodiversity and limits the use of irrigation.

Our nourishing serum contains 100% squalane derived from olive oil. It is particularly recommended for dry skin, applied daily morning and evening. In addition, we have developed several cosmetic products enriched with vegan olive squalane:

• The regenerating face scrub gently exfoliates and unclogs pores. This gel transforms into an exfoliating oil when massaged, then into a milk when in contact with water. Containing essential oils, it should not be used by pregnant women.

• The hydrating botanical assembly with papyrus is a night serum that helps restore skin's hydration and promotes cellular regeneration.

• The tightening botanical assembly with prickly pear is a night serum that helps firm the skin with the toning and regenerating actions of 7 botanical extracts, including immortelle flower essential oil.

• The nourishing face cream with hyaluronic acid and shea butter is enriched with lipid-replenishing and moisturizing active ingredients to make the skin supple and reduce feelings of tightness.

• The tinted serums are enriched with vitamin C for a radiant complexion and aloe vera to moisturize the skin. They provide light coverage and even out the complexion. In addition, these 2-in-1 products exclude fragrance, nanoparticles, or silicones that are often used in traditional foundations and that can cause the appearance of imperfections. Each tinted serum can match a wide range of skin tones. All six shades of our serums were developed according to the Fitzpatrick phototype scale.

• The antioxidant shower oil with vitamin E+F 2.5% and  bitter almond extract restores suppleness to the skin and reduces feelings of tightness while delicately perfuming the skin with a light almond scent. 

• The nourishing body cream restores the lipidic barrier, reduces feelings of tightness and protects the skin from external aggressions.

• The shampoo nutrition complex of biolipids 1% + camellia oil repairs and nourishes the hair fiber in depth, smoothes and fills the hair scales. This shampoo moisturizes and soothes the scalp without weighing the hair down. Containing a very low concentration of Hô Wood essential oil, it has no contraindications and can be used by pregnant and nursing women.

Note: Our two hair oils also contain vegan squalane, not from olives but from sugarcane bagasse (fibrous residue of sugarcane). The dry hair oil containing açaí and hibiscus oil strengthens, nourishes and protects the hair fiber without weighing the hair down. It restores shine and softness to hair. The rich hair oil with pequi and argan oil nourishes and restructures the hair fiber to protect it from heat.