Squalane

Squalane is a saturated hydrocarbon with 30 carbon atoms: C₃₀H₆₂. The name "squalane" comes from squalene, that occurs in shark liver oil and in vegetable oils. Squalane is produced from squalene by complete hydrogenation, that is, by conversion of all unsaturated (double and triple carbon-carbon) bonds to saturated (single) C—C bonds by addition of hydrogen. It is also possible to first hydrogenate shark liver oil and then separate squalane from it.

Squalane is an apolar oil that is stable in air and oxygen. Since squalane does not oxidize easily, it is a better ingredient for cosmetics and perfumes than squalene. It is also used as a lubricant and transformer oil.

Chemical name: 2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane.