Product review
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
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Biossance is the brand that made sugarcane-derived squalane a sustainability story, and the pack says so plainly: 100% squalane, fermented from sugarcane, vegan. The molecule is identical to what's in cheaper 100% oils — squalane is squalane — so what you're paying for here is the sourcing transparency, the larger listed size, and the brand polish.
Performance is textbook squalane: weightless, fast-absorbing, and completely non-greasy. It's an easy oil to recommend to someone who wants a considered, well-made bottle rather than the most utilitarian option. If you value knowing exactly where your squalane comes from, Biossance answers that clearly.
The only reason to hesitate is the checkout price, and it's less of a reason than it looks. The bottle holds 3.3 fl oz, more than three times the size of The Ordinary's 30 ml, so per ounce the two have landed within cents of each other at almost every price check we've run since launch — the spec table above shows today's figure. What Biossance really asks for is a bigger up-front spend and a bigger bottle to finish, not a higher price for the oil itself. If you only want to find out whether squalane suits you, a small budget bottle is the easier first buy.
The specs
Squalane — 100%, from fermented sugarcane.
Pure squalane, so the same 0–1 comedogenic profile; lightweight enough for oily skin.
What we like
- 100% sugarcane-derived squalane, transparently sourced
- Larger listed size than most single-ingredient rivals
- Vegan and fragrance-free
- Absorbs fast with no greasy finish
Keep in mind
- Higher up-front price than budget oils
- Same molecule as the budget oils — the extra spend buys bottle size and sourcing, not results
Who should skip it: Skip it if you only want a small bottle to try squalane — a budget oil costs far less at checkout for the same molecule.
Frequently asked questions
Is Biossance squalane worth the price?
If you want transparent sugarcane sourcing, a larger bottle and brand pedigree, yes. If you only care about the ingredient, the premium is smaller than the sticker suggests: per ounce it has tracked The Ordinary closely, and Timeless has usually been cheaper still. A small budget bottle costs far less at checkout if you just want to try squalane.
Is Biossance squalane sustainable?
Biossance derives its squalane from fermented sugarcane rather than shark liver, which is the more sustainable and animal-free source. It's vegan.