Choosing the right facial oil can feel like navigating a rainforest—lush, layered, and a little overwhelming. You want deep hydration and a radiant glow, but which oil actually delivers? Two of the most popular natural moisturizers—squalane and argan oil—both promise to nourish your skin, but they’re not created equal.
At AmaSKN, we’ve done the deep dive so you don’t have to. Here’s everything you need to know about these two hydration powerhouses—and why sugarcane-derived squalane might just be the hydration hero your skin’s been waiting for.
🌿 Meet the Contenders
🧪 Squalane: The Skin-Twin Hydrator
Squalane is a lightweight, stable version of squalene, a lipid your skin already produces naturally. Ours is derived from fermented sugarcane, not sharks—so it’s sustainable, vegan, and microbiome-friendly. It mimics your skin’s natural oils, absorbs quickly, and delivers silky hydration without clogging pores or leaving residue.
Key Benefits:
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Fast-absorbing and feather-light
- Balances oil production
- Reinforces skin barrier and elasticity
- Sustainable and carbon-efficient
🌰 Argan Oil: The Vitamin E Powerhouse
Cold-pressed from Moroccan argan tree kernels, argan oil is rich in vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s beloved for softening dry skin, improving texture, and shielding against environmental stressors.
Key Benefits:
- Nourishes dry and flaky skin
- Calms inflammation
- Delivers antioxidant protection
- Supports barrier repair
- Traditionally hand-harvested by women’s co-ops in Morocco
💧 Hydration Face-Off: Squalane vs. Argan Oil
🔬 Why AmaSKN Chooses Sugarcane-Derived Squalane
At AmaSKN, we believe great skincare should do good—for your face and the planet.
Squalane perfectly aligns with our values:
- Microbiome-friendly: Gentle enough for even sensitive skin
- Science-backed: Clinical studies show it significantly improves skin hydration, elasticity, and smoothness
- Planet-positive: Our sugarcane squalane is sustainably farmed and bio-fermented—no deforestation, no animal cruelty
🔬 The Science Behind Squalane
Squalane’s small molecular structure allows it to:
- Penetrate deeper than heavier oils
- Rebuild the skin barrier with skin-identical lipids
- Lock in moisture without a greasy finish
- Deliver antioxidants and fatty acids to where your skin needs them most
One clinical study found that regular use of squalane increased skin hydration by 51% and elasticity by 29% over 28 days—all while improving texture and radiance.¹
🌎 Sustainability That Goes Beyond the Bottle
At AmaSKN, our squalane is:
- 100% plant-based from renewable sugarcane
- Carbon-efficient, with bagasse (cane waste) powering the process
- Cruelty-free, unlike traditional shark-liver squalane
- Ethically sourced, with a percentage of profits supporting clean water and education in Indigenous Amazonian communities
We don’t just bottle nature’s best—we work to protect it.
✨ How to Use Squalane in Your Routine
Simple is powerful. Here’s how we recommend layering AmaSKN’s rainforest-powered formulas. We use squalane in both our Rainforest Radiance Firming Peptide cream and Rainforest Beauty Drops: Face, Body, Hair oil.
- Cleanse with a gentle face wash
- Apply Rainforest Radiance Firming Peptide Cream to lock in moisture and firm skin
- Press in Rainforest Beauty Drops (our squalane-rich oil) as the final step to seal in hydration and glow
Try our bestselling Rainforest Firm and Glow Skincare bundle that features both products.
You’ll get balanced sebum, smoother texture, and that elusive lit-from-within look—no greasy residue.
🌟 The Final Word: Why Squalane Wins
Both squalane and argan oil offer incredible skin benefits, but squalane stands out for its:
- Lightweight, non-greasy feel
- Total compatibility with all skin types
- Scientifically backed hydration and elasticity results
- Planet-friendly sourcing from renewable sugarcane
- Skin-identical structure that makes it instantly effective
It’s skincare made smarter—and softe
Sources:
- Sugino S. et al. “Moisturizing effect of squalane in healthy humans,” J Dermatol Sci, 2022.
- Amiri A. et al. “Review of argan oil: composition and health effects,” Phytotherapy Research, 2020.
- INCI Decoder. “Comedogenic Ratings of Common Oils,” 2023.
- Ecocert. “Sustainable sourcing of sugarcane-derived squalane,” 2021.