Squalane (e.g. from wheat germ, rice germ, avocado or olive oil)

SQUALAN is one of the main building blocks of the skin's barrier layer and therefore part of the skin's natural hydro-lipid film. It mimics the lipids in our skin and thus acts as a 'natural facelift'. Squalane is a little miracle cure for dry skin as it effectively helps the skin to retainits moisture long term, thusreducing water loss from theskin. This leads to a better moisturized skinwith fewer wrinkles. Thus squalaneis also effective against dryness wrinkles. In addition, it has a regenerating effect, increases the absorption of other active ingredients and promotes the transport of oxygen into the cells. Squalane is absolutely non-irritant, non-comedogenic and prevents the oxidation of the skin's own lipids.

One would think that with these properties squalane belongs in every moisturizing cream as thelist of positive properties is long. However, its relatively high price and limited shelf life are probably the reasons why it is only found in selected products. Squalane oil has a maximum shelf life of 12 - 24 months after opening.