Squalane serves as a lightweight moisturizer and leaves skin hydrated, supple, and luminous. Because it's so similar to your skin's own oil, it tends to provide just the right amount of moisture without over(or under)doing it.
Squalane is a lighter oil so I would use it before applying a cream/moisturizer. Squalane absorbs pretty fast and layers well with water based products *and* other moisturizing products, so IMHO it's best when used after your serums and before heavier moisturizers.
Apply squalane: If you aren't using a moisturizer—or if you want to layer squalane under your cream—then you can apply the oil here. It can go all over your face, as well as your eye area, lips, neck and chest, if desired. A little goes a long way, so start with just a couple drops. You can always add more if needed.
"Squalane is great for softening or smoothing the skin as it may help to support the natural outer barrier of the skin," says Turner. "It is a good option for dry and irritated skin as it has been shown to help calm redness and inflammation. Squalane is non-comedogenic, so it can be used for all skin types.
Dermatologists recommend squalane oil for all skin types. It can even be used by people who have oily skin as it is lightweight and isn't greasy. This means that it's unlikely to clog the skin's pores and won't cause breakouts.
You can use squalane as a stand alone moisturizer but for severely dehydrated or extra dry skin, it's best used when paired with another rich moisturizer.
If your skin's happy with serum alone, you can skip moisturizer. But only a lucky few with normal and super oily skin can get away with this, in my experience. So, don't be too disappointed if your skin needs both.
Ultimately, face serum and moisturizer are both necessary for a holistic skin care routine and to ensure that your skin doesn't dry out during the day. Face serum can't replace moisturizer, and moisturizer doesn't give your skin the extra vitamins and nutrients it needs to succeed and look great for years to come.
This is one serious multi-tasking oil: “Jojoba oil can be used as a moisturizer, hair shine enhancer, makeup remover, face wash, cuticle treatment, foot softener, lip balm, and sunburn relief treatment,” says Stacy Chimento, M.D., a dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami Beach, Florida.
HA has the incredible capacity to attract and hold onto 1000x its weight in moisture. And here lies the key: Hyaluronic acid should be used in a moisturizer in order for it to work—when you add moisture to the skin, you're giving the HA added water to absorb and hold onto, rather than pulling moisture out of dry skin.
Both are naturally occuring, and present in the human body, but they both do slightly different jobs. While Hyaluronic Acid increases skin's water content, Squalane acts as a barrier, keeping moisture locked in and hydrating at a cellular level.
For that reason, squalane, she says, makes a great base for actives like retinol and niacinamide. "Niacinamide, in particular, is a great pairing, as both help to repair and promote a healthy, happy skin barrier."
Over time, using squalane in skincare can reduce scars, reverse UV damage, lighten freckles and erase skin pigmentation, all while fighting free radicals. 3 On some people it can even be used as a spot treatment.
Yes! You absolutely can use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together. In fact, this combination can offer a double-whammy of skin hydration as well as a number of other benefits.
Can I use hyaluronic acid every day? Yup! And you can even use it twice a day as long as you're applying it to clean, damp skin, then locking it in with a moisturizer and face oil. “If you put hyaluronic acid on top of a sunscreen or a moisturizer, it's not going to work,” Dr.
You can find oral hyaluronic acid supplements, but they aren't worth your time or money. Your stomach breaks down the HA molecules, making these supplements useless to your skin. However, glucosamine supplements are a great idea! Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements help your skin to produce more HA on its own.
As it's well tolerated by most people, niacinamide can be used twice a day everyday. It works at any time of the year although it comes in particularly handy in winter during cold, dry weather and frequent use of central heating. Use it in the run-up before starting your retinol treatment and alongside it, too.
"If squalene was not hydrogenated, it would oxidize when exposed to air and no longer have its benefits," Dr. Garshick explains. In other words, squalane is a more shelf-stable and effective version of squalene, which is why the former is the version that makes it into our skin-care creams, face serums and oils.
Squalane hydrates dry skin and restores moisture. Squalane helps reduce skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation to give you an even skin tone. Squalane is known for its anti-aging effects and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
“Squalane is really important because it can greatly help reduce spots and acne scars, since it's essentially a composite of your own skin,” says Lee. Our bodies naturally produce squalane into our twenties, explains Lee, but once that production slows, fine lines start appearing.
Since Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum does not contain any retinol or retinoids, it does not have the same contraindications as retinol. However, as with any product applied to the skin we recommend checking with your doctor before using while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.