The Ordinary’s Hemi-Squalane: The Best Oil for Combo Skin

The time has finally come to talk OIL! I haven’t discussed any facial oils on here yet because honestly…I’ve avoided them. In the past, all I’d experienced when using oils was an uncomfortable layer of grease at night that led to extra oily skin the next day. Things just didn’t seem to be working the way they should. Enter The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane, i.e., the oil of my dreams. I will be repurchasing this product in perpetuity, and here’s why:

Ingredients

The only ingredient in this is C13-16 Isoparaffin, which according to The Ordinary, is a non-polar hydrocarbon produced by fermenting “sugar-based feedstock.” It’s my understanding that they source their product from sugarcane. Another common plant source of squalane is olives.

You may be wondering, “What’s the difference between squalane and hemi-squalane?” The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane is half the molecular weight of their 100% Plant-Derived Squalane, which makes it lighter and drier than the original. Both are non-comedogenic and can be used by all skin types. If you have oily skin and have been hesitant to add an oil to your skincare routine, this is a great place to start!

Usage

Face

Hemi-Squalane is an oil that is incredibly convenient and versatile to use. I use it both during the day and at night! In the daytime, I’ll use one layer before my moisturizer and SPF, and at night I might use two, one before and one after my moisturizing step.

I use the dropper to put one drop of oil on each cheek, then I gently pat it in. I apply it to my cheeks because the lower half of my face tends to be dryer than my forehead. I like to pat it around my cheeks, eye area, and chin first, and then I pat any excess onto my forehead.

Lips

I put a generous amount on my lips because squalane is a fantastic product for lip care! Its thinner texture makes it ideal for penetrating the skin, leaving your lips incredibly plump and moisturized! It’s a good idea to apply a thicker, more occlusive balm on top of the squalane to seal in all that fantastic moisture.

Hair

As if you aren’t already getting enough bang for your buck with this product, you can use it on your hair too! Lightly dry your hair with a towel once you get out of the shower, then apply the oil to damp hair. How much you’ll need depends upon how thick/thin your hair is, so it may take a little trial and error.

When you treat your hair, don’t forget to give your eyebrows some love too! You can use squalane oil as both a brow gel and a conditioner. Just like the hair on our heads, our eyebrows thrive when they are well-conditioned.

Scent

The hemi-squalane is described on the site as being odorless, but I pick up the slightest skunk-y scent to this. It’s the only way I can describe it, ha! But the good news is that this smell doesn’t stick around, and I don’t pick up on it at all when I use it on my hair.

Results

My skin has absolutely flourished with the addition of this oil to my routine! Instead of just sitting on top of my skin like other oils seemed to do, The Ordinary’s Hemi-Squalane sinks in within minutes. Like I mentioned in the “Usage” section, I can even apply two layers at night without ending up greasy.

During the fall and winter my skin calls out for something nourishing that will fortify it and keep it from becoming dehydrated. This oil fits the bill perfectly! I found that my skin stayed much more hydrated throughout the day and didn’t feel nearly as dry by the time I got home from work. My undereye area looks much less dry when I use this oil, and my fine lines stand out far less.

As I’ve moved into spring usage, I still find that this oil is great for my combination skin. I think I’ll even still be using it in the summer because it is so lightweight.

You can get The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane on Deciem’s website, and it’s only $3.95 for a 1 oz (30 ml) bottle. Considering the many ways that you can use this product, it’s a fantastic deal.

If you have combination or oily skin, and you’ve avoided using oils because you’re afraid that it’ll make you oiler, this is the best product to start with. When you use an oil, you are able to prevent dehydration. Dehydration actually causes your skin to produce extra oil to make up for the moisture loss. (To get extra hydration under any oils you use, try a hydrating toner like the I’m From Rice Toner!)

This oil gives your skin the feeling of being nourished in the best way, without leaving a layer of grease that just sits on the surface. It keeps my lips and under eyes, two parts of my face prone to obvious dehydration, looking much more plump and happy.

If I could go out and give a sample of this to everyone with combination or oily skin, I would! I wish that I had discovered it sooner, honestly. I’m happy to have it in my routine now, and I couldn’t recommend it more to my fellow combination/oily folks!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This post was not sponsored, nor does it contain any affiliate links. All links provided are solely for the convenience of the reader.