Squalane: What to mix it with?

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) are substances that remove keratinocytes by breaking ionic bonds, thereby destabilising the stratum corneum and causing its gradual detachment. The most common AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Glycolic acid, being smaller in size than lactic acid, penetrates deeper into the epidermis, hence its greater potential for irritation. For this reason, chemical peels based on lactic acid are generally recommended for more sensitive skin types. However, both lactic acid and glycolic acid are active ingredients that can dry out the skin. Therefore, after a chemical peel, it is recommended to use a squalane-based product to rehydrate the skin.

During your evening beauty routine, depending on the reactivity of your skin, you can use the gentle peeling serum Lactic Acid 10% + Acerola extract or the exfoliating serum Glycolic Acid 10%. Without rinsing, these treatments stimulate cellular renewal. You can subsequently apply our nourishing serum containing 100% olive squalane. Non-comedogenic, squalane is non-irritating and suitable for all skin types. It strengthens the hydrolipidic film potentially damaged by the chemical exfoliation carried out beforehand.

Retinol belongs to the family of retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A. It is permitted up to 0.3% in a non-rinse cosmetic product. Once applied to the skin, it is metabolised into retinal and then into retinoic acid, the active form. In practical terms, retinol exfoliates the surface of the epidermis, regulates the activity of melanocytes responsible for hyperpigmentation, and stimulates the production of elastin and collagen. It is therefore recommended for evening out skin tone, toning the skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

The most common adverse effect following the use of a retinol-based skincare product is an irritated skin characterised by the onset of redness, itching, and even slight burns. This is why this active ingredient is not recommended for sensitive and/or atopic skin. However, retinol requires a period of skin adaptation; if slight, bearable redness appears, it does not necessarily require discontinuation of its use but merely spacing out the applications to every other night, or even every third night. You can also use a squalane-enriched skincare product immediately after to strengthen the hydrolipidic film, which can be slightly damaged by the retinol treatment.

Thus, during your evening beauty routine, you can apply the wrinkle & fine line serum with retinol and then, after this initial treatment has been absorbed, apply the nourishing serum containing 100% olive squalane. If you prefer a cream texture, the nourishing face cream based on hyaluronic acid, shea butter and squalane is a treatment enriched with lipid-replenishing and hydrating active ingredients to restore suppleness to the skin and reduce feelings of tightness.

To amplify its nourishing and softening properties for the skin as well as the hair, squalane can be combined with other ingredients with somewhat similar virtues such as argan oil, shea butter or even pequi oil.

Thus, our rich hair oil combines squalane with pequi and argan vegetable oils. This treatment nourishes and restructures the hair fibre to protect it from heat. The hair becomes soft, shiny and manageable.

The nourishing body cream combines squalane with shea butter. This cream restores the hydrolipidic barrier, reduces feelings of tightness and protects the skin from external aggressions.

• Lou-Bonafonte JM, Martínez-Beamonte R, Sanclemente T, & al. Current insights into the biological action of squalene. Mol Nutr Food Res. (2018).