There are very few skincare ingredients that suit virtually every skin type, work at every age, and have a clear and well-understood mechanism of action. Squalane is one of them.
It is not a new ingredient. It has been used in skincare formulations for decades. But it has attracted considerably more attention in recent years as the natural beauty industry has moved away from synthetic alternatives and towards ingredients with a genuine biological rationale. Squalane has both — a natural origin and a compelling reason to be on your skin.
Here is what it is, where it comes from, and why it is in the Pūraka Active Day Cream.
What squalane actually is
Squalane is a stable, saturated form of squalene — a lipid that occurs naturally in the human body. Squalene is produced by the sebaceous glands and forms part of the skin's own sebum. It plays a role in keeping the skin supple, protecting it from oxidative damage, and maintaining the integrity of the moisture barrier. The problem with squalene in its natural form is that it is highly unstable — it oxidises quickly when exposed to air, which makes it impractical in skincare formulations.
Squalane is squalene that has been hydrogenated: a process that stabilises the molecule without compromising its skin-identical properties. The result is an ingredient that behaves like the skin's own lipids, absorbs efficiently, and remains stable in a formula.
Where it comes from
Squalene was historically derived from shark liver oil — a source that is both ethically problematic and environmentally unsustainable. The shift in the industry towards plant-derived squalane has been one of the more straightforward wins for both animal welfare and clean beauty.
Plant-derived squalane is most commonly sourced from olives, sugarcane, or amaranth. The squalene content of these plants is extracted and then hydrogenated to produce squalane. The resulting ingredient is chemically identical in its behaviour to shark-derived squalane, but entirely vegan and considerably more sustainable.
All squalane used in Pūraka formulations is plant-derived.
Why the skin responds so well to it
The reason squalane works so effectively across such a wide range of skin types comes down to its skin-identical nature. Because squalene is already part of the skin's own lipid profile, the skin recognises squalane and absorbs it readily. It does not sit on the surface or create a heavy, occlusive layer. It integrates.
This makes squalane particularly useful for skin types that struggle with heavier oils or rich creams. It provides genuine moisture support and barrier reinforcement without triggering congestion or leaving a greasy residue. For skin that is sensitive, reactive, or prone to breakouts — as well as for skin that is dry or mature — squalane offers hydration without compromise.
It is also a remarkably effective antioxidant. Squalene's original role in sebum includes protecting the skin from oxidative stress — the damage caused by free radicals, UV exposure, and environmental pollution. Squalane retains this protective quality, helping to shield the skin from the kind of cumulative damage that contributes to premature ageing.
What happens to squalane levels as we age
This is where squalane becomes particularly relevant for skin in its 40s and 50s.
Squalene production in the skin peaks in adolescence and declines steadily from early adulthood onwards. By the time most people reach their 40s, their skin is producing significantly less squalene than it was a decade earlier. This decline contributes directly to the dryness, loss of suppleness, and increased sensitivity that many women notice as they move through perimenopause and beyond.
Replenishing squalane topically is one of the most logical responses to this decline — not because it reverses the ageing process, but because it gives the skin back something it is producing less of itself. The skin knows exactly what to do with it.
At some point in your 40s, something shifts. The moisturiser that worked perfectly well for years suddenly feels i...
