1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
The Ordinary
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
face oil
The Ordinary
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
face oil
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
90%
Combination (dry)
90%
Balanced
70%
Combination (oily)
20%
Oily
20%
See how this fits your skin
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1
Ingredients
2
Benefits
0
Actives
A lightweight plant-derived solution that supports healthy hydration
Key Insights
Benefits
2
Anti-Aging
Hydration
Full Ingredients
1 total
About 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Overview
100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a rich oil from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as rich: occlusives and butters sit high enough in the order to give it real weight on skin.
What the formula does
Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Squalane.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Squalane.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Dry and Combination (dry) skin best, and is the least natural fit for Combination (oily) and Oily skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, oil control, brightening and tone and soothing. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
What is not in it
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after serums. Seal in your serums with it; in the morning, sunscreen still goes on top.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No fragrance or declared allergens
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
- No common irritants flagged in the list
- No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
May suit
- Balanced skin
Less suitable for
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
Sensitive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Anti-Aging 1 ingredient
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
-
Hydration 1 ingredient
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Soothing
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
Moderate
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
Moderate
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
None
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
None
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
None
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
None
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
None
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Fragrance-free
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
- AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
- BHA (salicylic acid)
- PHAs (gluconolactone)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
Where it fits in a routine
Morning
Evening
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Treat
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Moisturise" step.
- Seal in your serums with it; in the morning, sunscreen still goes on top.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 1 ingredients on the label.
1
Emollient
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 10–40%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Emollient
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
9 scientific references
- Cosmetics Ingredient Review, 2019, ePublication
- ACS Open, July 2017, pages 3, 989–3, 996
- Indian Journal of Dermatology, May-June 2016, pages 279-297
- The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, June 2014, pages 25-32
- Journal of Cosmetic Science, January-February 2013, pages 59-66
- Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012, pages 223-233
- Molecules, January 2009, pages 540-554
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology, November 2006, pages 2, 430-2, 437
- Free Radical Research, April 2002, pages 471-477
Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
SQUALANE.
How do I use 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
-Apply a few drops daily or as needed to entire face ideally after water-based treatments.
What skin types is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Dry, Combination (dry) skin best. It is the least natural fit for Combination (oily), Oily skin.
Is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane good for sensitive skin?
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane fungal acne safe?
No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.
Can I use 100% Plant-Derived Squalane while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane fragrance free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
Does 100% Plant-Derived Squalane contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does 100% Plant-Derived Squalane contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is 100% Plant-Derived Squalane paraben free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
What can I layer with 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
When should I apply 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
Use it morning and evening, after serums.
How many ingredients does 100% Plant-Derived Squalane have?
It lists 1 ingredient, of which 0 are recorded as actives.
Who makes 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.