Choosing the right face oil can be an overwhelming task. There are so many out there, each with different properties claiming to be good for your skin in some way. You might not have even used a face oil before and are wondering why you’d even want one. Don’t worry, I’m here to help! Let’s go through the basics of a face oil, and then I’ll explain why squalane oil is the perfect starter oil and why one brand in particular is my all-time favorite.
What are Face Oils and Who Should Use Them?
Let me start with this: face oils can be used for all skin types. It doesn’t matter if have oily, dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin, you can apply a face oil, you just have to find the right one for you.
You also need to be careful of how brands describe their face oil. Many of them will call them hydrating or moisturizing, but those are in fact two different things. Products that are hydrating will help to attract and bind water to the skin, like hyaluronic acid.
Many face oils, unless they include hydrating ingredients, are moisturizers. Specifically, they are classified as emollients and occlusives. Emollients have the ability to smooth and soften the skin by filling in the barriers of the skin cells. This in turn helps the skin become stronger and more elastic, and as a bonus, bacteria isn’t able to penetrate it easily. Occlusives help create a protective barrier over the skin so that you do not lose any moisture and your skin stays hydrated.
In other words, face oils do help hydrate the skin, because they help stop water from escaping, but they themselves are not hydrating products. That is why face oils should be used along with other skin care products that help keep the skin hydrated.
That wraps up my little mini lesson on face oils, now it’s time to introduce you to my personal favorite. It’s an old one but a good one. It’s called squalane oil. Be sure not to confuse it with sqalene oil!
Squalene Oil Vs. Squalane Oil
Squalene is a natural part of the skin’s lipid barrier. Unfortunately, sometime in your twenties, your production of squalene will go down. According to one source, it can drop from around 12% to under 5% when you reach 50 years old!
If squalene is the oil that our bodies naturally make, why am I recommending squalane instead? The problem with squalene oil is that is it’s very reactive and oxidizes quickly. Once squalene becomes oxidized, it becomes inflammatory, causing breakouts and damaging the skin.
However, once it becomes squalane through a process called hydrogenation, the story completely changes. Then it becomes an extremely stable oil. It is in fact one of the most stable oils, even among different UV temperature and oxidative conditions. The best part is that the body will recognize squalane and absorb it quickly, easily and deeply. Thus, the odds are high that it will not react negatively with your skin.
Of course, everybody’s skin is different, so you should be careful when using any new skincare product. Another thing to note about squalane oil is that it’s supposedly not going to clog your pores nor cause breakouts. So, if you are the type of person who is new to using face oils and has those worries, this is the face oil for you.
But that’s not all squalane oil can do for you.
The list of squalane oil benefits is pretty long. It can: help cracked or chapped skin; alleviate eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis; fight bacteria; and help reduce sebum production. Another great thing about squalane oil is that it is not just for your face. You can use it on your body, lips, and even your hair.
You may be wondering that something so wonderful, so versatile, so amazing must come with an expensive price tag. Depending on the brand, this can be true. However, the one I use is called The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Oil which is sold for 7.90 USD in the U.S. That’s right. This bottle of magic is less than a movie ticket. Even here in Korea, it’s only 9,600 KRW despite the fact that it’s an imported product. Usually with other Western brands, the markup when it reaches Seoul is painful.
For me, squalane oil is a trusted old friend. Whenever my skin needs a break from trying new products, I always turn back to it as I know it will help heal and protect my skin’s barrier. I think it can be a good friend to you as well.
Cost & Where to Buy
Disclaimer: I have am not affiliated with any of the following links. They are merely suggestions of where they can be purchased, so please proceed at your own discretion when purchasing. Furthermore, sites labeled “Internationally” or “Worldwide” may not offer shipping to all countries.
Worldwide
Cost:
7.90 USD / 9,600 KRW
Ingredients
Squalane
Beauty Bap 