What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- SQUALANE
- CAS number
- 111-01-3
- EC number
- 203-825-6
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Squalane in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Hair conditioning
-
The register’s hair role for ingredients that make hair feel softer, smoother or easier to comb. Most conditioners, masks and leave-ins list several.
Register definition: “Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.”
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Refatting
-
Puts back oils that washing takes off hair or skin.
Register definition: “Replenishing the lipids of the hair or of the top layers of the skin.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 3 labels First five names: 1 of 3 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
- Hair oils 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Hair oils without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (9)
- Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 3rd of 38 names
- Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 11th of 41 names
- Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion Styler 16th of 48 names
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment Protein treatment · listed as Squalane* 4th of 35 names
- Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask Protein treatment 14th of 37 names
- ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Protein treatment 37th of 44 names
- Curlsmith Miracle Shield Heat protectant 15th of 34 names
- Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil Hair oil 16th of 31 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 5th of 51 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other hair conditioning ingredients on these labels
- Glycerin 131 labels
- Panthenol 72 labels
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil 69 labels
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate 38 labels
- Caprylyl Glycol 37 labels
- Behentrimonium Chloride 34 labels
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine 34 labels
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil 34 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.