Squalane

Squalane is a saturated, branched hydrocarbon lipid with the molecular formula C30H62, derived from the hydrogenation of squalene, a natural triterpene found in shark liver oil, olive oil, and sugarcane. It appears as a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid at room temperature, with low water solubility (approximately 1.42x10-5 mol/L) and high lipophilicity (log Kow 5.49), making it highly hydrophobic and suitable for applications requiring stability and emolliency. Biologically, squalane mimics components of human sebum, where it constitutes about 2% of adult sebum, aiding skin lubrication and permeability without auto-oxidation due to its fully saturated structure. It lacks enzymatic or receptor activity and plays no direct role in cellular signaling, metabolism, or disease pathology, distinguishing it from therapeutic targets. Instead, squalane is widely employed in cosmetics as a skin conditioning agent, emollient, and refatting ingredient, enhancing moisturization and product stability, and in pharmaceuticals as a lubricant or carrier for lipid-soluble substances. Its biodegradable nature under aerobic conditions and low environmental persistence further support non-toxic profiles in industrial uses. No drugs target squalane for therapeutic modulation, as it is an inert excipient rather than a bioactive molecule.

Other names

PerhydrosqualeneDodecahydrosqualene2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane