The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane

5 Reviews

1. 

   emptyCheetah3

   Reply

   Hemi Squa is great for a light hair serum, as when the hair touches my face, I don’t break out there. Other oils and leave-ins, and serums, used sparingly, manage to break the sides of my face out the most (where hair touches it).

   For skin, I use this with some plain squalane mixed in too, when my skin is feeling really irritated, then wash off after a while. So it’s more of a treatment, as I wash it off. It really helps soften.

   Love this as much as plain Squalane, this one is light and has more of a slippery feeling reminiscent of silicone hair serums. The slippery feeling is annoying to me, and I found it too dry for my skin, so I did mix in normal squalane in small amounts.

   I cannot use non-HABA squalane as I tried and broke out like crazy.
   Maybe I am allergic to what it’s derived from, or idk. Nowadays I can only use squalane and hemi-squalane, all other oils (including camellia seed, rosehip, vit E etc) make my skin react no matter how little there is of any.

   Coconut oil is fine for my eye area, with the Squalane, but nowhere else.

   Oddly, my skin is fine with essential oils in very small amounts, it actually improved drastically when I did this (rose, frankincense, myrrh) in just a few drops, in the bottle of Hemi squalane + Squalane (rough amounts of the Hemi and plain Squalane, just kept mixing in till I liked the texture).

   I think I need much more of this, as one can go through it fast (another reason that I choose to blend normal squalane into it)

2. 

   sincereBoars1

   Reply

   Love this for hair!

   Great lightweight oil for skin or hair. I am using on my hair only at this time. Works well; leaves a shine without the weight of heavier oils. I have very dry hair and I can use this on damp or dry hair. I would start with a couple of drops.

   Ingredients:
   C13-16 Isoparaffin.

   Directions from manufacturer site:

   Hair Application—Work through damp, clean hair daily or as needed. Skin Application—Apply a few drops to the entire face once daily or as needed. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing. Keep out of reach of children.

   Also from site:

   Hemi-Squalane is a non-polar hydrocarbon that is produced from the fermentation of sugar-based feedstock. Squalane and Hemi-Squalane are both excellent non-comedogenic emollients that can help to reduce the ongoing loss of hydration that weakens dermal elasticity and suppleness. However, due to its low molecular weight, Hemi-Squalane has greater spreadability and leaves a light and dry after-feel, making it very suitable for reducing hair frizz.

   Note: The 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane used in our product is USDA Certified Bio-Based.

   Under $5.00 Cdn. Purchased from Well.ca. Available also on Canadian site. I will repurchase.

3. 

   pacifiedChile3

   Reply

   I really enjoy using this in my hair. My hair is very long and I only use 1 drop of this to moisturize. It makes my hair smooth and healthier looking. Sadly, I can’t use this on my face. It’s not enough moisture, but the original squalane oil is great for your face!

4. 

   sheepishWhiting1

   Reply

   tldr: found it really great for my hair, not so much for my skin

   this is seriously some amazing s**t for hair! it’s mind-blowing to me that a single ingredient (listed as C13-16 Isoparaffin) could do what so many other products with complicated formulations and tons of ingredients can’t? and it’s plant-derived! feel like the ordinary really hit the ball out of the park with this one.

   i have 2a/b-ish wavy hair that in recent years has thinned and changed texture and become incredibly prone to frizz (even more than it always had been as normal wavy hair). recently discovered devacurl’s wavemaker and was pretty impressed with that, but think this is even better in a very diff way. doesn’t add volume of course, but does completely take away frizz without leaving my hair weighed down or greasy or product-y feeling/looking AT ALL (not kidding, not at all). and you can apply quite a bit! i have yet to experience any greasiness at all, vs argan or other oils with which more than a few drops can be problematic. with this it doesn’t feel like there’s anything on my hair at all, it’s just shiny and soft and looks like i naturally have nicer hair.

   i’m trying to figure out what the catch is because it seems too good to be true esp at this price point. wondering if it’ll dry my hair out over tim or do something else, and wondering how this isn’t a key ingredient in all sorts of leave- in hair products (or maybe it is?). in any case, works great as a single ingredient by itself, and i personally highly prefer something like this to products with preservatives and fragrance and all the other crap.

   should note i have only tried applying this to wet hair and drying naturally or diffusing. i do not know yet how well it will work when blow drying hair straight, but for that i’d likely use it with other products because i’m not sure it offers any heat protection, so it will be hard to tell.

   for skin i didn’t like it at all. i’ve only tried it on my hands and it did nothing besides sit on top like a thin layer of barely-there super light oil – i guess exactly what makes it so perfect for hair. come to think of it, it kind of acts like silicones without the heaviness – and i hope/assume it’s water soluble.

   one caveat! i have noticed that the lower sides of my face have been breaking out with tiny, tiny, hard closed comedones – like tiny pebbles all over my skin. this in only happening where my hair grazes my face and i don’t usually have probs there, despite the many many hair products i’ve used over the years. it could be completely coincidental, but it does also seem to have a comedogenic rating of 3, based on the few sources i found that rated it. for both of these reasons, i don’t feel safe even trying it on my face.

   if the bumps don’t go away soon or get worse, i’m going to try to cut this product out for a while until they do and then reintroduce it. if this is the culprit, sadly, that will be a deal breaker, because i just can’t completely keep my hair off my face or pillow. i hope it isn’t but will update this review when i know for sure.

5. 

   excludedLard7

   Reply

   Unbeatable value – under £3! On application it almost feels like it evaporates as absorption is so quick. I have combination skin, but in winter can get dry patches on my face. I tap this on and it absorbs quickly and does the trick. This is a dry light oil and not same in consistency as marula/rose hip/argan etc – better for daytime use or top up normal moisturizers/sunblock

   This is a brilliant hair oil, as my fine curly hair has a tendency to go frizzy in high humidity – but oils often weigh it down. This is so light, it does a great job of protecting my hair but not weighing it down

   Highly recommend