Index / The Ordinary / Squalane
The Ordinary

Squalane.

The Ordinary Squalane
Serums

About this product

A 100% plant-derived squalane oil designed to seal in moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and provide nourishment as a final step in skincare routines.

Best for

Dry skinSensitive skin
Serums

The Guru Index verdict

87%

Approved

Approved · 87%
5Reviewers
5Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this product for delivering strong hydration and barrier support at an affordable price, especially favoring it as a nighttime occlusive or mixed into other products. The standout theme is reliable performance over time, several creators have repurchased repeatedly and consider it a staple. Texture feedback splits slightly: most find it lightweight and easy to apply in small amounts, though one reviewer notes it feels less breathable when layered separately. Overall sentiment is very positive, with gurus noting it works particularly well during winter and for compromised or dry skin.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Vitamin ESqualaneFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Squalane, Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/​Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"100% squalane to use on top at night is also going to help to trap fats so basically almost create a second layer of skin and trap water in the skin and allow the skin to feel more hydrated the next day."
All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan
GLASS SKIN FOR SKIN OF COLOUR
"Squalane or marula oil, both of which you can buy from The Ordinary, they're not that expensive and it's just a great last step your skin will thank you the following day."
Skincare & Haircare 40’s Dr Vanita Rattan
"100% squalane to use on top at night is also going to help to trap fats so basically almost create a second layer of skin and trap water in the skin and allow the skin to feel more hydrated the next day."
Approved
"The Ordinary Squalane is one of the oils I'd recommend if you have dry skin and like using oils. These oils can make your skin appear a little glowy and a little fresh."
Approved
"I was a little afraid at first when I tried it this morning like how runny it might be, but it actually kind of stayed in the area that you apply it pretty well. I do two to three drops of The Ordinary Squalane and I mix it up in the back of my hand and that's how I apply it. This is very very rich, nourishing, oil-based. Those layers if I apply them separately would feel okay but it just does not feel as breathable and as quite as airy. I know that that sounds surprising for these types of textures but this is just how my skin accepts it. It just wouldn't feel as good. I really like the method for using it with the slip that I've created."
All 3 takes from Kelly Driscoll
Melt the Day Away | Calming Skincare Routine
"I was a little afraid at first when I tried it this morning like how runny it might be, but it actually kind of stayed in the area that you apply it pretty well. I do two to three drops of The Ordinary Squalane and I mix it up in the back of my hand and that's how I apply it. This is very very rich, nourishing, oil-based. Those layers if I apply them separately would feel okay but it just does not feel as breathable and as quite as airy. I know that that sounds surprising for these types of textures but this is just how my skin accepts it. It just wouldn't feel as good. I really like the method for using it with the slip that I've created."
Rating My Empty Skincare with Emojis! 😍💩😒
"This has never been out of my skincare routine. I tried to not buy it, I tried to use something else in its place, and it only lasted about three days and I put my order in. The Ordinary Squalane is quickly becoming a top favorite, like holy grail type of product for me. I've been using this oil over the last couple of years and this is my favorite blend especially for winter time. It's very nourishing, it is comforting, it's soothing, it is skin barrier strengthening and super duper affordable."
11/10 ⭐ Skincare Empties I Recommend!
"I have mad respect for this product. It's probably one of my favorite products from Deciem because I do find their products to be on the gentler side, but there is something about this one that is very robust, very effective, and works very fast. I've been using this since 2018. There's not much I can say. It's definitely an 11 out of 10."
Approved
"Two of my favorite products are these two the ordinary zurine solution and the ordinary mat trixel mixed together they're known affectionately online as Botox in a bottle and they've worked wonders for me"
Approved
"I like to use a squalane product which essentially is the emollient and why do I use squalane because it is probably the best emollient available. It replicates our natural emollient produced by the oil in the body. I put that on top of the hyaluronic acid and I found that it's an excellent hydration and very consistently so as well. The Ordinary actually have a great product, the squalane cleanser which is great for compromised skin, so if you have really dehydrated skin, maybe like psoriasis eczema, squalane cleanser is actually quite a good product."
Top Pick: emollient
You might also like

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest