1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
The Ordinary
Squalane Cleanser
face cleanser
The Ordinary
face cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testDesigned to effectively cleanse the skin by removing makeup, dirt, and impurities, while also supporting the skin’s moisture barrier through hydration
Squalane Cleanser is a cushioning cleanser from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 20 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as moderately cushioned — emollient enough to feel like a cream, without the heaviest occlusives near the top. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin and Squalane, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane and Water.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Squalane.
On richness alone it suits Balanced skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), 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.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, oil control, cell renewal and firmness signalling. 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.
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.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
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.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
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.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Refines texture by gently exfoliating rough, uneven patches
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.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sucrose stearate
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Fatty Acid, Macadamia Nut Oil, Et Esters
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Sucrose laurate
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Maize starch, hydrolyzed, hydrogenated
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-Decanone, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-,[6]-Gingerone
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butenedioic acid, hydroxy-, (2S)-
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Cleanse" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 20 ingredients on the label.
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Forms a film that slows water loss
Dissolves and carries everything else
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Alcohols, coco, mixed esters with octanoic and decanoic acids
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sucrose stearate
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Fatty Acid, Macadamia Nut Oil, Et Esters
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Sucrose laurate
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Maize starch, hydrolyzed, hydrogenated
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Sucrose dilaurate
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Sucrose Trilaurate is the triester of lauric acid and Sucrose
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate, dimethylacrylamide, lauryl methacrylate and laureth-4 methacrylate, crosslinked with trimethylolpropane triacrylate
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Alcohols, C16-branched, ethoxylated (20 mol EO average molar ratio)
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-Decanone, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-,[6]-Gingerone
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butenedioic acid, hydroxy-, (2S)-
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Benton
Shares 4 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane
APLB
Shares 4 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Squalane
LA MER
Shares 4 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate
Round Lab
Shares 3 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
CeraVe
Shares 3 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Squalane
Arencia
Shares 3 key ingredients with Squalane Cleanser: Glycerin, Water, Tocopherol
SQUALANE, 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.
MALIC ACID.
Suggested Usage (use on dry skin): -Dispense product into hands. -Rub hands together to warm the product, allowing it to melt into an oil. -Massage well onto dry face and rinse with warm water. Tip for Shaving (face or body): Squalane Cleanser can substitute as a shaving balm (for the face or body). Apply to wet skin (the only time we will suggest applying Squalane Cleanser to wet skin) and shave as usual in the direction of hair growth. The moisturizing, rich texture will help offer a comfortable shaving experience.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), Combination (oily), Oily 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.
4 ingredients could feed malassezia: Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
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.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it morning and evening, first step.
It lists 20 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.
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