This post answers the question: Squalane vs. hyaluronic acid – which is best for glowing skin? Here’s what you need to know about these two super hydrating ingredients.
Squalane and hyaluronic acid are two cult-favorite skincare ingredients known for their hydrating and moisturizing effects.
They are easily found on the market in serums, oils, and lotions claiming to solve all your dry skin-related woes. But which is the superior ingredient for glowing, lit-from-within skin?
We’re here to give you the low down on these two super skincare ingredients! It’s time to dive straight into the battle of squalane vs hyaluronic acid to see which comes out on top.
Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid: What Are the Differences?
To understand the differences between squalane and hyaluronic acid, you need to know what they are and what exactly each ingredient does to your skin.
What is squalane and what does it do?
Squalane is a lightweight, hydrating oil that is a modified form of squalene (spelled with an “e”) – one of the key components in human sebum. It is a plant-derived oil that most commonly comes from olives or sugarcane.
If you’ve had trouble with oil or clogged pores, then you’ll know what issues can arise if your body overproduces sebum. To keep the benefits that squalene provides to the skin minus the potential of clogged pores, it was put through a process called hydrogenation, creating squalane.
Squalane is much more stable than squalene and acts as a barrier to the skin. The ingredient is full of antioxidants which help to fight against free radicals while providing a light but nourishing hydration to your skin.
Because it’s so similar to squalene, your skin instantly recognizes it. This makes it an exceptional moisturizer for all skin types.
What is hyaluronic acid and what does it do?
Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is a humectant. Humectants are ingredients that pull water into the skin. Like squalene, hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body. It can be found in the eyes, joints, and skin.
Unfortunately, our bodies can’t produce the same amount of hyaluronic acid as we get older, and so we start to see the effects of aging within our skin.
You can begin using hyaluronic acid at any age, both for hydrating the skin and for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for keeping the skin plump and hydrated.
Hyaluronic acid is usually found in serums or water-based moisturizers that are absorbed into the skin more easily than oil-based products such as squalane.
Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Which is Better?
In the battle of squalane vs hyaluronic acid, there really isn’t a clear winner as both products deserve their place on your vanity for different reasons!
Because hyaluronic acid is a humectant, it is perfect for hydrating dehydrated skin and giving it a plump, dewy appearance. Squalane, on the other hand, helps to retain moisture by acting as a skin barrier.
While both skincare products overlap in many ways, they are also very different and have extra benefits for the skin that you should consider. But, who said you have to pick between the two in the first place?
How to Use Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid Together
Although this started as a battle between two hydrating skincare products, there’s nothing stopping you from using both products together.
You can claim all the benefits from squalane and hyaluronic acid, as long as you use them correctly! That’s right, your skincare products need to go in the correct order to get the most out of your routine.
So, which product should you use first?
The answer is simple – always start off with your hyaluronic acid or products containing the ingredient. This is because it’s absorbed much quicker and will boost your skin’s moisture.
After the hyaluronic acid has been thoroughly absorbed into the skin, you can go ahead and apply your squalane. Applying your squalane after the hyaluronic acid will lock in any hydration from the first product while adding a little extra of its own, too.
If you’re in a rush, some squalane-rich products can be added to your foundation, so you don’t have to sit around and wait for the product to soak into the skin!
So, you heard it here first – in the battle of squalane vs hyaluronic acid, both come out on top!
Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid for Plumper Lips
Did you know that the benefits of squalane and hyaluronic acid go beyond hydrated, glowing skin? These are both excellent ingredients for the lips as well.
Apply a drop of squalane oil to your lips in the AM and PM to lock in moisture for soft, conditioned, protected lips.
Now, if you plumper-looking lips are your goal, then hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient you are looking for! That’s because hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into the lips, leaving you with a hydrated and plumper-looking pout.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the key ingredients in Sublime Lips Manuka Honey Lip Plumper, our luscious, lip-enhancing treatment.
Hyaluronic acids restores hydration and fills in lip lines, while manuka honey softens and conditions lips. Plus, tripeptide-1 promotes younger, fuller-looking lips! Shop Sublime Lips here.
