CAS# 111-01-3

Description:

SQUALANE: Squalane is a naturally occuring lipid in both plants and animals. This ingredient is listed in the PETA’s Caring Consumer guide as primarily derived from animals, especially shark liver oil. Due to environmental concerns, olive oil and sugarcane as non-animal sources have been developed and commercialized. Other plant sources yielding commercial supply are sunflower and rice, although the latter source only gives mediocre purity (75%). In a biotechnological process, farnesene is produced from fermentation of sugarcane sugars using genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains. Farnesene is then dimerized to isosqualene and then hydrogenated to squalane.

Not to be confused with Squalene. Squalane is a hydrocarbon derived by hydrogenation of Squalene. In contrast to 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.

Cosmetic Function(s):

• Skin-Conditioning Agent
• Hair-Conditioning Agent
• Occlusive
• Emollient
• Refatting