Given the popularity of facial oils, you might be wondering which facial oil is the right one for you.
There is a list of unending benefits and a huge variety to choose from: coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, and grapeseed oil, just to name a few.
For now, let’s talk about squalane and rosehip oil.
Apart from being gentle, lightweight, non-comedogenic, and non-greasy, both these facial oils strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, nourish the skin, and increase skin elasticity.
They are suitable for almost all skin types and are full of antioxidant properties and anti-aging benefits. They reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and heal acne scars while keeping the skin hydrated.
Here is a comparison of squalane vs. rosehip oil so you can choose which is the right facial oil for you, according to your skin type and skin concerns.
Squalane Vs. Rosehip Oil – Key Differences
Let’s dive into the key differences between squalane and rosehip oil, which are as follows:
1. Suitability For Different Skin Types
- Squalane oil:
Though both oils are suitable for most skin types, squalane is best for dry skin, sensitive skin, and even oily skin types. Since squalane is one of the most moisturizing oils that are non-comedogenic, it is also beneficial for acne-prone skin types.
- Rosehip oil:
Considered safe for everyone, the rosehip seed oil is the most suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, mature skin, dull skin, and damaged skin.
2. Skin Benefits
- Squalane oil:
Squalane oil offers intense hydration, boosts the skin barrier, and soothes the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for sensitive skin, dry skin, and individuals with inflammatory conditions such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and even acne.
As it is a natural antioxidant, it fights free radicals to prevent sun damage and premature aging and also promotes collagen production.
- Rosehip oil:
On the other hand, rosehip oil has antioxidant, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat acne breakouts, heal acne scars, and fix uneven skin tone.
What’s more, it can boost collagen production, and plump up the skin cells, along with some anti-aging benefits such as reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Interestingly, some people pair rosehip oil together with retinol in their skincare routine, to achieve most powerful anti-aging effects.
3. How Long Does It Take To See The Results?
- Squalane oil:
Since squalane oil is an extremely hydrating emollient, you will see an immediate improvement in skin hydration as it keeps your skin hydrated and plump. It takes a few weeks to see changes in inflammatory skin conditions and aging skin.
- Rosehip Oil:
Normally, it takes about 6-8 weeks to start noticing the anti-acne and anti-aging properties of rosehip oil.
4. Color & Scent
- Squalane oil:
Squalane oil is colorless and odorless.
- Rosehip oil:
Rosehip oil ranges from a deep golden hue to a vibrant red-orange color with an earthy and woody scent.
5. Composition
- Squalane oil:
It is a hydrocarbon and a major constituent of human sebum. It is a hydrogenated form of squalene, a naturally occurring lipid in our skin1.
- Rosehip oil:
Rosehip seed oil is rich in multivitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E), essential fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid), carotenoids, minerals (copper, iron, zinc, etc), and phenolic acids (ferulic acid, etc.)2.
6. Source
- Squalane oil:
It has both animal and plant sources. It comes from olive oil, rice bran, sugar cane, wheat, and shark liver oil. Owing to environmental sustainability and well-being, most brands are shifting toward plant-derived squalene3.
- Rosehip oil:
Rosehip oil, also known as rosehip seed oil is sourced through seeds of flower buds when the petals have fallen. The most common species are Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa canina and Rosa moschata.
7. Fatty Acids Content
- Squalane oil:
Squalane oil is rich in oleic acid, which is super hydrating and caters to dry, sensitive, normal, and combination skin with its hydrating benefits.
- Rosehip oil:
Rosehip seed oil is full of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Since acne-prone skin and oily skin types often lack sufficient essential fatty acid levels on the skin’s surface, rosehip oil benefits them with its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
8. Comedogenic Scale Rating
- Squalane oil:
Squalane oil has a comedogenic rating of 0-1, which means it does not clog pores4.
- Rosehip oil:
Rosehip oil has a comedogenic rating of 1. This means you do not have to worry about rosehip oil clogging pores.
9. Shelf-life
- Squalane oil:
Squalane oil has a longer shelf life as it is a hydrogenated form of squalene (a lipid found in the human skin). Since squalane does not oxidize due to the hydrogenation process, it is long-lasting and does not go bad5.
- Rosehip oil:
Since rosehip oil is full of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid) and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), it has a shelf life of 6 months to 1 year after which it can go rancid6.
Everything You Need To Know About Squalane
One of the most hydrating face oils, squalane oil is commonly used in skincare products (cleansers, moisturizers, creams, serums, etc).
It absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy feel and is non-comedogenic which means it does not clog pores.
Due to its moisturizing properties, it boosts the skin’s protective barrier and reduces transepidermal water loss. It is great for every skin type, ranging from normal skin to sensitive skin.
Other skin benefits of squalane oil include soothing inflamed and irritated skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
This characteristic makes it great for sensitive skin, broken or damaged skin, or inflammatory conditions like eczema, redness, or psoriasis.
Squalane oil is rich in Vitamin E and is a great antioxidant that fights free radicals and minimizes skin damage.
Incorporating it into your skincare routine can reduce signs of aging, and damage while boosting the skin barrier and firming up the skin.
Squalane Vs. Squalene
Squalane is actually a hydrogenated version of the naturally occurring lipid, squalene (with an “E”) found in human skin, shark liver oil, rice bran, wheat germ, and olive oil. Since it is unstable, it has to be hydrogenated so it does not oxidize on exposure to air.
Benefits Of Squalane
These are the benefits of squalane oil:
- Super hydrating
Since squalane oil is an emollient, it is great for moisturizing the skin and protecting the skin barrier.
By the way, if you’re looking for the best solution for dehydrated skin, I recommend you to check out my article about using squalane oil and hyaluronic acid together.
- Soothes the skin
Squalane oil has anti-inflammatory properties, so it works well to reduce redness, skin irritation, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Nature’s antioxidant
Squalane fights free radicals and slows down skin wear and tear, boosts collagen production, and gives you glowing skin.
- Detoxifies the skin:
As proven by research7, squalane oil not only detoxifies the skin but also has anti-cancerous properties8.
- Noncomedogenic
Squalane has a rating of 0-1 on the comedogenic rating scale, which means it does not clog pores and absorbs quickly into the top layer of the skin.
- Enhances product absorption
According to some studies9, squalane maximizes the absorption of subsequent skincare products, making sure you get the best out of your skincare routine.
Who Should Use Squalane?
Though it is suitable for everyone, squalane is the best for dry, normal, combination, and dehydrated skin types.
Hemi-squalane, a lighter version of squalane, is a good alternative for people with oily and acne-prone skin.
Does Squalane Have Any Side Effects?
Though squalane is generally safe to use, it is recommended to perform a patch test to rule out any allergic reaction (redness, itching, swelling).
Everything You Need To Know About Rosehip Oil
Now that you know all about squalane, let’s discuss rosehip oil, which is quite popular among facial oils.
Rosehip seed oil is a natural skincare ingredient commonly used in serums, moisturizers, and creams. It is sourced from rosehip fruit seeds, mainly from the Rosa canina, Rosa rubiginosa, and Rosa moschata species10.
Rosehip oil is enriched with the goodness of essential fatty acids, multivitamins (vitamins A, C, and E), minerals, carotenoids, and phenolic acids (ferulic acid)11. The essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid are anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and have skin barrier-protective benefits.
It has a lightweight and non-greasy texture and is considered a dry oil, which means it does not feel tacky or oily like most facial oils do.
Rosehip oil is loved for its antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
It fights free radical damage and reduces premature aging as well as sun damage to the skin. It boosts collagen production and helps in smoothing the texture and brightening the skin.
Rosehip oil works to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, age spots, and hyperpigmentation, evening out the skin tone and improving overall skin health.
Since it has anti-inflammatory characteristics, it fights the bacteria that cause acne. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, this is a wonderful face oil to treat acne and fade scars, while also calming redness and irritated skin.
Acne-prone skin has low levels of essential fatty acids and is dehydrated, which often results in excess production of oil to hydrate the skin.
Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) and oleic acid, so it prevents excess sebum and does not clog pores, making it great for acne-prone skin.
Benefits Of Rosehip Oil
The benefits of rosehip oil are as follows:
- Anti-aging
Rosehip oil is great for aging skin as it promotes collagen production and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (melasma, dark spots), and sun damage that leads to photoaging.
- Reduce acne breakouts
Rosehip seed oil helps minimize excess oil production which can lead to clogged pores if left unchecked.
Due to its ability to fight acne-causing bacteria, rosehip seed oil greatly reduces acne and even heals acne scars, making it a great option for acne-prone or blemish-prone skin.
- Promote skin healing
Due to its healing and restorative properties, rosehip seed oil helps fade scars, heal wounds, reduce irritation, and soothe the skin.
- Improves the skin tone
With regular application on the skin, rosehip oil brightens the skin tone due to its antioxidant and brightening properties.
- Clear skin
It has vitamin A which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and improves the skin texture.
- Hydrating benefits
Rosehip oil is nothing less than an emollient and is great for moisturizing the skin.
- Antioxidant protection
Brimming with multivitamins, rosehip oil is a goldmine of antioxidants that fights free radical damage, oxidative stress, and premature aging.
- Reduces sun damage
Rosehip oil repairs sun-damaged skin. The carotenoids help produce new cells while healing the skin.
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
Rosehip seed oil helps reduce redness which may be due to acne breakouts, blemishes, or other inflammatory conditions.
Who Should Use Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is great for individuals with damaged, mature, oily, and acne-prone skin types.
Possible Side Effects Of Rosehip Oil
Though rosehip oil is generally safe, it is best to perform an elbow patch test to rule out any allergic reaction.
Final Verdict: Is Squalane Or Rosehip Oil Better?
Now that we have discussed all the nitty gritty about squalane and rosehip oil, you might be wondering: “Is squalane or rosehip oil better?”.
Here are my two cents on this.
Both facial oils are moisturizing, lightweight, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic. They have antioxidant properties that boost skin health and slow down premature aging.
Let’s review squalane oil.
Squalane is a moisturizing emollient that hydrates the skin, boosts the skin barrier, and soothes irritated and inflamed skin.
It is a hydrogenated form of a naturally occurring lipid called squalene, which is sourced through plant and animal sources and is a component of our skin, which recedes with aging.
Though anyone can use it, it is exceptionally great for dry skin. People with blemish-prone skin can benefit from a lighter version called the hemi-squalane.
On the contrary, rosehip oil is a magical elixir sourced from rosehip seeds. It is chock-full of multivitamins, essential fatty acids, minerals, phenolic acids, and carotenoids.
It has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, and antioxidant properties, which make it great for everyone. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage.
It evens out the skin tone and clears out rough and dull skin. Other than that, it hydrates the skin and soothes any inflammatory conditions such as redness, irritation, or swelling.
It also reduces acne breakouts and fades scars and wounds.
Rosehip oil is great for people with oily, acne-prone, damaged, and mature skin.
Since both oils address different concerns, it is best to choose the one that suits your skin the most.
Squalane Vs. Rosehip Oil – Which Is Better For Oily Skin?
Though both facial oils have moisturizing and anti-inflammatory characteristics, rosehip seed oil is better for oily skin.
The linoleic acid in rosehip oil prevents the skin from overproducing oil, which otherwise leads to clogged pores. Also, the squalane derived from olive oil can break out oily and acne-prone skin due to the fatty esters and by-products.
Squalane Vs. Rosehip Oil – Which Is Better For Acne?
Rosehip oil is better for acne as compared to squalane.
The reason is rosehip oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, which help treat acne and reduce inflammation. Since rosehip oil reduces excess sebum production, it minimizes the chances of acne.
Also, rosehip oil has vitamin A, which increases skin cell turnover and is great for skin health.
Squalane Vs. Rosehip Oil – Which Is Better For Dry/ Dehydrated Skin?
Though both facial oils add moisture, squalane is the better option for dry and dehydrated skin as it prevents transepidermal water loss and boosts the skin’s protective barrier with its emollient nature.
Can You Use Squalane And Rosehip Oil Together?
Yes, you can use squalane and rosehip seed oil together, since they pair well. The emollient properties of squalane oil hydrate the skin deeply while rosehip seed oil fights acne, aging, and inflammation.
You can use squalane and rosehip oil in your skincare routine directly as facial oils (it does not matter which one goes on first), or use them in the form of different skincare products.
Just remember to layer the products in the right order from thinnest to thickest.
Which Oil Is Better Than Rosehip Oil?
This depends on your skin concerns and the type of your skin. Generally, the following oils are better than rosehip seed oil, according to their characteristics:
- Sweet almond oil – it moisturizes, nourishes and softens the skin.
- Grapeseed oil – it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant.
- Cacay oil – it has 3x more vitamin A than rosehip seed oil.
- Marula oil – good for dry skin.
- Argan oil – this one hydrates and rejuvenates the skin.
- Jojoba oil – recommended for sensitive skin, suitable for all.
Why Squalane Is The Best Face Oil?
Since it is lightweight, has a non-greasy texture, and rejuvenates skin health with its antioxidant nature, squalane oil is one of the best face oils.
Another think that makes squalane the best face oil is its suitability for all skin types. It does not clog pores so you can use it even if you have oily or acne-prone skin. It deeply hydrates dry skin, and it’s super gentle and non-irritating for sensitive skin.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
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Source of second picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwa8KgpOOF/
Source of fifth picture: https://www.carousell.sg/p/the-ordinary-100-organic-rosehip-oil-1107401059/
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Resources:
- https://www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- https://www.researchgate.net/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/
- https://www.scirp.org/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://www.greenbeautytalk.com/
- https://dawatermelon.com/
