Squalane (SQA)

Squalane is a hydrocarbon and triterpene derived by hydrogenation of squalene. Due to the complete saturation of squalane, it is not subject to auto-oxidation. This fact, coupled with lower costs associated with squalane make it desirable in cosmetic applications where it is used as an emollient and moisturizer. The label of squalane as "natural moisturizer" is somewhat exaggerated. While squalane can be found in small quantities in sebaceous secretions (sebum), it is squalene that is most commonly found in nature, most notably in the livers of sharks. Squalane has low acute toxicity and is not an irritant at the concentrations used in cosmetics. Squalane is in the midplane of the lipid bilayer: implications for its function as a proton permeability barrier. Squalane lies predominantly in the bilayer center, parallel to the plane of the membrane.