Squalane
Squalane
- Role
- A light hydrocarbon oil that softens the skin and makes application smoother.
- Catalog formulas
- 3
- Type
- Texture
- Verified
- 09.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
A saturated branched hydrocarbon, C30H62 (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane): a clear, colourless, odourless oil obtained from olive oil or made synthetically. INCI functions: skin conditioning and emollient, refatting agent, hair conditioning.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In the catalogue it appears in roll-ons and a spray, where as an oil component it softens the after-feel. It does not reduce sweating.
The CIR found Squalane safe in 1982 and, after reviewing new data in 2023, reaffirmed that conclusion for the present practices of use and concentration; the 2014 CIR summary table lists use concentrations of up to 31%.
It is used as an emollient; an individual reaction to the finished product is possible.
Not to be confused with Squalene: squalene (C30H50) is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with double bonds, while squalane is its saturated counterpart (C30H62). They have different INCI names.
Products containing Squalane
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- EU CosIng: Squalane Supports: INCI functions, substance identity
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe): Squalane Supports: substance description
- CIR: Squalane and Squalene, re-review (2023) Supports: safety conclusion
- CIR: Quick Reference Table (summary of conclusions, 2014) Supports: use concentrations
- PubChem: Squalane (CID 8089) Supports: substance identity