Squalane is a ‘buzz’ ingredient – but just what is it? Well, it mimics your skin’s own natural oils, making it a brilliant emollient. It is also naturally antioxidant.

Your own skin cells naturally make something called squalene (with an ‘e’). But like most things, production in our bodies slows down over time, leading to dryness and roughness. In nature, squalene is present in rice bran, olives, sugar cane – and when processed, to improve stability, it becomes squalane (with an ‘a’. Yup, that’s pretty much it.

Leaving aside the science, though, squalane is darned good stuff. Skin almost slurps it up (hairdresser Sam McKnight uses neat squalane oil on his skin, we’ve been told, as a moisturiser). And it is the key ingredient in what is a rather excellent cleanser that’s crossed our path, from disruptive skincare brand The Ordinary.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is seriously make-up melting, suitable for all skintypes, and leaves skin bouncy, plump and nourished. It emerges like a balm; they recommend warming it in your hands till it transforms to an oil, but actually, we like to do the massage ON the face.  

The tube is also brilliant for travel (you can take it in a carry-on).

Guys, you can get your hands on this for just over a fiver! And the tube we bought a month ago is going to last absolutely ages. A proper, proper steal – never mind the weekend, but ANY day of the week. 

£5.50 for 50ml – buy here

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