Squalane (CAS 111-01-3) — Citrus Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Squalane
CAS 111-01-3
What Is Squalane?
Squalane is a colorless, odorless oil originally derived from shark liver oil but now mostly plant-based. You’ll find it in moisturizers, serums, and luxury skincare for its silky texture. This ingredient matters because it mimics skin’s natural oils, providing hydration without greasiness. It’s become a clean beauty staple for its biocompatibility and sustainability when sourced from plants.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Squalane Smell Like?
Squalane is completely odorless, making it an ideal carrier oil for fragrances where neutrality is required. Its molecular structure allows it to seamlessly blend with both polar and non-polar fragrance components without altering scent profiles. In formulations, it serves as an invisible canvas that neither contributes top notes nor interferes with dry-down evolution.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the base carrier oil in this solid perfume format, allowing the fragrance oils to maintain purity while providing skin-conditioning benefits without scent interference.
Squalane serves as the odorless foundation in this citrus-aromatic composition, ensuring the yuzu and vetiver notes remain crisp and unadulterated throughout wear.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Squalane is the saturated form of squalene, a triterpene hydrocarbon. Naturally occurring in shark liver oil and plant sources like olive oil, modern production involves hydrogenation of squalene derived from sugarcane fermentation. The fully saturated C30 isoprenoid chain gives exceptional oxidative stability compared to squalene. Its branched structure provides unique spreading properties while maintaining biocompatibility with skin lipids.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 422.8 g/mol |
|---|---|
| XLogP | 14.7 |
| Formula | C30H62 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare | 5-20% | Up to 100% | Primary emollient |
| Fragrance Oil | 10-30% | 5-50% | Odorless diluent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to extend longevity of top notes without altering scent profile.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter-chain alternative with similar odorless properties but different skin feel and volatility profile.
Synthetic hydrocarbon with lighter texture, used when faster absorption is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe for all applications.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM classifies squalane as safe with no restrictions based on extensive testing.
Sustainability
Modern squalane is primarily derived from sugarcane fermentation, eliminating reliance on shark liver oil. The fermentation process has a lower environmental impact than traditional plant extraction methods. As a fully saturated hydrocarbon, it requires no antioxidants and has indefinite shelf stability.
Explore Squalane
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Squalane (CID 8089) PubChem 8089
- Biosynthesis of Squalene (2016) DOI:10.1016/j.ymben.2016.03.003
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID0046513
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 422.826 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.818 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 263 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -33.741 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 216.94 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.448 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 525.998 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.49 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 10.291 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 10.291 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 11.71 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 19.768 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 26.331 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 123.608 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 21 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 140.787 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 55.812 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
