Squalane Cleanser Spotlight

Some cleansers leave skin feeling clean. Others leave it feeling tight, dry, or uncomfortable. A good cleanse removes makeup, excess oil, and daily buildup, while keeping skin feeling comfortable after washing.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is designed with that balance in mind. Its balm-like texture dissolves makeup and surface impurities before rinsing clean. Formulated with plant-derived squalane and lipophilic esters, it offers a gentle, effective cleanse that fits easily into a daily skincare routine.

Discover this bestselling formulation, the benefits of squalane in cleansing, and how a gentle cleanser can support healthy looking skin.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a moisturizing, all-in-one cleanser that dissolves makeup, dirt, and daily impurities. Formulated with plant-derived squalane, a well-known moisturizing agent, this non-stripping cleanser supports the skin barrier through hydration.

Squalane cleanser rinses off with water, leaving skin soft, smooth and hydrated. This formulation is non-comedogenic and soap free, making it an excellent cleanser for dry, sensitive skin.

Cleansing can do more than remove what sits on the skin’s surface. Depending on the formula, it can also influence how skin feels after washing: comfortable and clean, or tight and dry.

That difference matters because the skin’s outermost layer includes lipids and proteins that help maintain its barrier function. This barrier plays a role in moisture retention and overall skin comfort, which is why gentle cleansing focuses on removing buildup without leaving skin feeling stripped.

Over-cleansing or harsh surfactants can strip the skin and weaken the skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, uneven tone, and other concerns. A gentle face cleanser, like Squalane Cleanser, leaves skin soft, hydrated, and well-prepared for other products in your skincare regimen.

Squalane is a plant-derived moisturizing ingredient that mimics the skin’s natural oils. It acts as a gentle, hydrating solvent that helps remove daily buildup without disrupting the skin barrier. When used in a cleanser, squalane has several benefits:

Effective makeup removal

Squalane has lipophilic properties, which means it can dissolve oily substances like makeup that do not break down easily in water.

Added hydration

Squalane is a well-studied moisturizing agent and helps replenish hydration during the cleansing process.

Non-comedogenic

Because squalane is a skin-similar molecule, it cleanses without clogging pores..

Gentle and non-stripping

Squalane supports the skin barrier, making it suitable for daily use and for all skin types, including dry or sensitive skin.

Squalane Cleanser is a cream-like balm that transforms into an oil when massaged into the skin. When mixed with water, this formulation emulsifies into a milky texture and rinses away. For maximum effectiveness, apply Squalane Cleanser to dry skin.

Here’s how to use Squalane Cleanser:

1. Dispense a small amount into dry hands

2. Rub your hands together to warm the product, transforming it into an oil-like consistency

3. Massage well onto a dry face to dissolve makeup and impurities

4. Rinse with warm water

5. Follow with the remaining steps in your regimen

If you ever find yourself stuck without shaving cream, Squalane Cleanser can substitute as a shaving balm for the face or body. Apply to wet skin and shave as usual in the direction of hair growth. This is the only time we recommend applying Squalane Cleanser to wet skin.

A well-formulated cleanser should effectively clean and prep your skin without compromising your skin barrier. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser takes a gentle, hydrating approach to cleansing that supports healthy-looking skin from the first step in your regimen.

Use our Regimen Builder to design a personalized skincare regimen, starting with Squalane Cleanser.