Hemi-squalane, also known as squalane, are one of the newest ingredient taking over the haircare world. Hemi-squalane is a lightweight oil, derived from sugar-based plants and is a natural alternative to silicone. If you like the way silicones look and feel on your hair, but are looking for natural alternatives because of the side effects (a coating on the hair that's difficult to remove with non-water soluble silicone and excess buildup), hemi-squalane is a clean and sustainable alternative that gives hair slip, shine + softness, without any drawbacks.
What Is Hemi-Squalane?
Hemi-squalane is derived from the fermentation of sugar-based plants like sugarcane. When used on the hair, hemi-squalane is a lightweight oil that feels more like water, and is an ingredient perceived as a part of the ‘skinification of hair’ trend, wherein high-end and sophisticated formulas headlining the skincare industry are weaved into hair care products to reflect the importance of treating our hair with the same amount of care as our skin.
Recently, caring for the scalp and hair in the U.S. has been a trend however in India and South Korea, treating the scalp and hair like the skin is a way of life. With skincare ingredients making their way into skincare (including hemi-squalane) these ingredients improve the overall health of the scalp as well as hair strands.
Hemi-Squalane vs. Squalane
Although the names may be similar, there is a slight difference between squalane and hemi-squalane. The major similarity is that they are both natural, and can be derived from sugarcane. However, hemi-squalane boasts a lower molecular weight, which gives it a more lightweight feel than squalane, making it the perfect option for people who are worried about their hair being weighed down or too greasy.
Squalane vs. Squalene
Squalene (spelled with an -e) is a lipid produced naturally by the body by the oil glands in the skin to hydrate and maintain the barrier of our skin. Natural squalene can also be found in olives, rice bran, sugarcane, and shark livers. In order for natural squalene to be used in skincare and hair care products, it must be hydrogenated into squalane, a more stable molecule, so it will not oxidize when exposed to air and no longer provide its benefits.
Hemi-Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid
Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid are primarily used to hydrate and plump the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is a key natural component of skin that increases skin's water content but tends to deplete as we age and reduces the moisture levels in skin. Squalane is rich in fatty acids that acts as a barrier, keeping the moisture locked in the skin and hydrating the skin at a cellular level. In addition, Squalane has powerful anti-aging properties which help reduce the signs of aging as well as it's anti-inflammatory benefits that help with skin conditions like acne and eczema. Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane work well together, which is why we have utilized varied molecular weight Hyaluronic Acids, in combination with Squalane, to increase hydration and seal in moisture. You can find Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane together in our pre-shampoo detox treatment (SAVE ME FROM Product Overload) and our moisturizing heat protecting treatment (SAVE ME FROM Thermal Obsession).
6 Benefits of Squalane Oil for Scalp and Hair Health
Squalane oil has a number of beauty benefits for both the skin + hair. One of the most sought-after benefits of using hemi-squalane for the hair, is its excellent emollient properties that help keep hair hydrated and moisturized, and it's ability to control frizz without weighing hair down. Since hemi-squalane is a natural emollient, it seals moisture into hair and strengthens strands by coating them which also helps which manageability and to prevent breakage. In addition, hemi-squalane also works as an excellent styling product too as it makes hair feel softer, look healthier and shinier.
- Seamlessly absorbs: The super lightweight texture of hemi-squalane penetrates into the hair shaft almost immediately, leaving no product-feel behind.
- Lightweight: Hemi-squalane has a thin, water-like consistency that's incredibly lightweight and won’t weigh hair down.
- Helps control dry, frizzy hair: One of the biggest benefits of hemi-squalane is its ability to help with hair manageability by taming frizz, without the extra grease or heaviness on your strands or scalp. Hemi-squalane acts similar to silicone as it prevents water loss, and can reduce some hair frizz without leaving the scalp feeling greasy.
- Prevents breakage: Hemi-squalane coats the hair strands, maintaining a persistent emollience for hair and makes hair less prone to breakage and split ends.
- Biodegradable: Hemi-squalane is a great choice for those looking for a natural alternative to silicones. Unlike silicone, hemi-squalane is biodegradable and doesn’t build up on the hair over time like silicones.
- Spreads easily: Like some silicones, hemi-squalane spreads well and can coat your hair efficiently while using less product.
How to Use Hemi-Squalane On Hair
If you're interested in incorporating squalane oil into your daily hair care routine, using products with hemi-squalane or using hemi-squalane alone once a day helps rehydrate, de-frizz and smooth your hair. To leave your hair softer and shinier, apply several drops of squalane oil to your hands, starting at the ends + working up the the scalp. If you have a dry scalp, hemi-squalane is a great oil to massage into the scalp and help treat dryness + flakiness.
Hemi-squalane is in every SAVE ME FROM product
Hemi-squalene is one ingredient that to consider using in place of silicones as it improves the condition of your hair over time by protecting smoothing all types of hair and textures. Our hemi-squalane is cruelty free and sourced from plant-based ingredients through a bio fermentation process using sustainable sugarcane, providing weightless nourishment to the scalp and hair, without compromising hair health. In clinical studies, hemi-squalane found in SAVE ME FROM has shown an instant reduction in frizz, keeping frizz at bay in humidity and improves hair health over time.
Our eco-extraction technology harnesses hemi-squalane (derived from sugarcane) and other plant-based actives to create a potent, effective + clinically proven rinse out hair repair treatments or leave-in serum that you can now customize based upon your hair lifestyle and save your hair from future damage! Not to mention, your scalp needs just as much care since a healthy scalp promotes beautiful and stronger hair, giving it the perfect start. Our Reboots repair the hair from damage and nurtures the scalp where your hair starts its growth journey.
Does Your Hair Need Moisture or Fenugen?
Does your hair need moisture? It's likely your hair can benefit from hemi-squalane but it's also worth mentioning the proven hair reparative benefits of Fenugen. Inspired by Ayurvedic medicine, we've harnessed the fenugreek's rich phytonutrients including medium and long chain fatty acids, terpenoids, polyphenols, phospholipids and vitamins A, C and B variety vitamins and paired these with bio-boosters like ubiquinone (also known as Coenzyme Q10 for hair), organic karanja (also known as pongamia) and medicum chain triglycerides (MCT’s derived from coconut). You’ve guessed it, like a Red Bull for your scalp, Fenugen is also a rich source of nicotinic acid (niacin), nicontinamide (niacinamide) and trigonelline. These phytonutrients include niacinamide hair benefits and have been shown to promote healthy blood flow to help enhance the nutrition essential for follicle survival, boost keratin and ceramide synthesis, restore barrier function and empower you with hair that emerges from the scalp healthier with more resistance to damage. Through a patented eco extraction process, we've magnified these phytonutrients into our clinically proven technology. Fenugen possesses the rich nutrients of fenugreek seeds in a complex 5x more potent in polyphenols. These nutrients include Vitamin A, B Vitamins, Vitamin C and more. With daily and consistent, long-term use of this concentrated hair cream (that you dilute into a silky scalp serum with water), hair bonds are rebuilt, hydration is restored helping to reduce frizz, the scalp is energized and nourished from within allowing hair that's more resistant to damage to emerge. Rooted in Ayurveda, our Save Me From hair products are clinically proven to transform hair from tip to root, inside and out.
