The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser Ingredients Explained

4.4   from 18 ratings
95
18
80
9

Updated on January 25, 2024

Overview

What it is

Face cleanser with 20 ingredients that contains AHA and Vitamin E

Cool Features

It is vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

Fun facts

The Ordinary is from Canada. This product is used in 1273 routines created by our community.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

You should know

Here's our breakdown of the notable ingredients, benefits, and concerns we determined from the ingredients in this product. Click any item to learn more.

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (3)
Rosacea

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
6

Ingredients Overview

Here's our quick-to-read summary of the ingredients in this product. Keep scrolling if you'd like to learn more about what each ingredient does!
Ingredient
Features
1
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
2
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
3
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
4
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
0 / 0
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
5
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
6
Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
7
Masking, Skin Conditioning
8
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
9
Humectant
10
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
11
Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
12
Emulsion Stabilising
13
Emulsifying
May cause irritation Icon
14
Absorbent, Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
15
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
0-3 / 0-3
Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon
16
Skin Conditioning
17
18
Buffering
AHA IconMay cause irritation IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconMay worsen Rosacea IconHelps brighten skin Icon
19
Skin Conditioning
20
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ingredients Explained

This product contains 20 ingredients. Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
1
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Stearate is derived from stearic acid and sucrose (sugar). It is an emollient and emulsifier.

As an emulsifier, it prevents oils and water from separating in a product. This property also makes it a surfactant and therefore a cleansing agent.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Ethyl Macadamiate isn't fungal acne safe.

7
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
8
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.

9
What it does: Humectant

We don't have a description for Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.

10
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Dilaurate isn't fungal acne safe.

11
What it does: Emulsifying

Sucrose Trilaurate isn't fungal acne safe.

12
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.

It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.

One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.

Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
13
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isoceteth-20 comes from Isocetyl Alcohol. It is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

14
What it does: Absorbent, Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid.

Sodium Polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer. It can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Sodium Polyacrylate is also used to stabilize products.

Learn more about Sodium Polyacrylate
15
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
16
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is a synthetically created molecule made to mimic ginger extract.

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe skin.

According to one study, it is an HA booster, antioxidant, and anti-irritant.

In this study, this ingredient was able to stimulate higher hyaluronic acid levels of the dermal and epidermal layers on a skin-like model. Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, which means it helps attract moisture to your skin. Humectants help keep skin hydrated.

As an antioxidant, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is able to fight off damage from free-radical molecules.

Learn more about Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
17
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

18
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Malic Acid is an AHA derived from unripe fruit. The word "Malic" comes from the word "Malum". In Latin, "Malum" means apple.

Malic Acid has both AHA and BHA properties, but is considered an AHA because its AHA properties are stronger. Like other AHAs, it removes the top layer of old and dead skin to reveal the newer layer underneath. It also helps with improving fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, skin texture, and acne blemishes.

Due to its exfoliating properties, you should wear SPF when using Malic Acid.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Malic Acid
19
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

20
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin
Embed Ingredients

Here's what our community thinks of the 20 ingredients in this product ✨

30% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

When to use

We've created a guide with info on when you should use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. We've also included some recommended products to use it with, as well as some routine inspiration!

Read our guide on when to use Squalane Cleanser ->
Verified by SkinSort

We're dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date and science-backed ingredient info out there.

The data we've presented on this page has been verified by a member of the SkinSort Team.

Read more about us

Top Reviews

View all 18
magicalmarion's Avatar'
Jan 13, 2024

I really liked the product for make up removing. Even though I have fungal acne- for the short time i had it on the skin it did not break me out. If you wear waterproof eye make-up i would use a separate eye make-up remover with oil tho....

I really liked the product for make up removing. Even though I have fungal acne- for the short time i had it on the skin it did not break me out. If you wear waterproof eye make-up i would use a separate eye make-up remover with oil tho. Great size for travel make up remover too but not big enough for long time use. Wish they had a bigger package. If you like the texture of cleansing milk definitely try it out. Great product for moderate money.

Great Value
Light
No Scent
Works Well
mikkoflam's Avatar'
Dec 23, 2023

My HG oil cleanser. I know it's not really marketed as an oil cleanser, but let's be honest, it is. Once you really rub it in, it turns into an oil. I love this as my 1st cleanse in a double cleanse since it removes my mineral SPF, but...

My HG oil cleanser. I know it's not really marketed as an oil cleanser, but let's be honest, it is. Once you really rub it in, it turns into an oil. I love this as my 1st cleanse in a double cleanse since it removes my mineral SPF, but its also SO moisturizing after you rinse. Other oil cleansers have broken be out, but this just doesn't. Such a trustworthy product. Will always repurchase!

Latest Reviews

View all 18
NomieTchtchnigboNoNo's Avatar'
Mar 12, 2024

used it for a while but then started to get whiteheads and my texture got worse the second i used it (same thing with the oat cleanser balm from Inkey List)

used it for a while but then started to get whiteheads and my texture got worse the second i used it (same thing with the oat cleanser balm from Inkey List)

Broke Me Out
Irritating
Valerija's Avatar'
Mar 11, 2024

When I first purchased it I couldn't understand the hype and simply hated this product. The problem was me using it on wet skin... it would not behave as an oil cleanser and so it didn't clean much. At some point I realized it has to be...

When I first purchased it I couldn't understand the hype and simply hated this product. The problem was me using it on wet skin... it would not behave as an oil cleanser and so it didn't clean much. At some point I realized it has to be used on dry skin and it made such a difference! I love the sensation it gives when melting into my skin and removing sunscreen leaving it very hydrated without any oily residue. Sometimes I also use it to massage my nose and it helps to somewhat unclog the pores. Recently I repurchased it in jumbo size, love it!

Great Value
Hydrating
No Scent
Works Well
Read more reviews ->