Squalane is the organic compound with the formula ((CH3)2CH(CH2)3CH(CH3)(CH2)3(CH2)3CH(CH3)(CH2)2)2. A colorless hydrocarbon, it is the hydrogenated derivative of squalene, although commercial samples are derived from nature.[3] In contrast to squalene, due to the complete saturation of squalane, it is not subject to auto-oxidation. This fact, coupled with its lower costs and desirable physical properties, led to its use as an emollient and moisturizer in cosmetics.[4]
Sources and production
Squalene was traditionally sourced from the livers of sharks, with approximately 3000 required to produce one ton of squalane.[5] Due to environmental concerns, other sources such as olive oil, rice and sugar cane have been commercialized, and as of 2014 have been supplying about 40% of the industry total.[5]
In olive squalane manufacturing, squalene is extracted from olive oil residues in a green chemistry process, and is then hydrogenated into squalane.[7]
Uses in cosmetics
Squalane was introduced as an emollient in the 1950s.[5] The unsaturated form of squalene is produced in human sebum and the livers of sharks.[8][9] Squalane has low acute toxicity and is not a significant human skin irritant or sensitizer.[10][11]
^"Squalane - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 26 March 2005. Identification and Related Records. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
^Lal, Krishan; Tripathi, Neelima; Dubey, Gyan P. (2000). "Densities, Viscosities, and Refractive Indices of Binary Liquid Mixtures of Hexane, Decane, Hexadecane, and Squalane with Benzene at 298.15 K". Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 45 (5): 961–964. doi:10.1021/je000103x. ISSN0021-9568.
^Rosenthal, Maurice L. (2002). "Squalane: the natural moisturizer". In Schlossman, Mitchell L. (ed.). Chemistry and Manufacture of Cosmetics. Vol. 3 (Bk. 2) (3rd ed.). pp. 869–875.
