The Ordinary vs Biossance Squalane
Two of the most popular 100% squalane oils, head to head. The molecule is the same — so what actually separates them?
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Prices are pulled live from Amazon and can change. How this works.
Both of these are 100% squalane — the exact same molecule — so neither is 'more effective' than the other in any meaningful sense. What differs is source transparency, bottle size, packaging, and price. Here's the honest breakdown.
The case for The Ordinary
It's the value pick and the easiest recommendation for most people: a single-ingredient, sugarcane-derived squalane at one of the lowest entry prices of any name brand, stocked almost everywhere. If you just want squalane and don't care about the bottle, this is it. Full notes in our The Ordinary squalane review.
The case for Biossance
Biossance leads on sourcing transparency and a larger bottle, with the polish of an established clean-beauty brand. The premium is at checkout rather than per ounce: the bottle is more than three times the size, so its cost per ounce has sat within cents of The Ordinary's at almost every price check we've run. You're paying for a bigger bottle and the brand, not a better molecule. See the Biossance squalane review.
Buyer-first verdict: the active is identical, so decide on how you buy. If you want the smallest spend at checkout or a small bottle to try, The Ordinary wins. If you'll use squalane regularly and value sourcing transparency, Biossance's bigger bottle costs about the same per ounce — compare the live figures below.
Compare the two
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
9.2A single-ingredient, plant-derived squalane in a full 30 ml bottle at a low price, stocked almost everywhere — the default pick for most people.
Read our review
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
8.8A sustainably sourced, sugarcane-derived squalane in a larger bottle — the polished pick if you want brand pedigree and a bigger size.
Read our reviewSources
Frequently asked questions
Is The Ordinary or Biossance squalane better?
Both are 100% squalane — the same molecule — so effectiveness is a wash. The Ordinary wins on checkout price and availability; Biossance wins on sourcing transparency and bottle size, and per ounce the two usually cost about the same. Choose based on which of those you value.
Is Biossance squalane worth the extra money?
If transparent sugarcane sourcing, a larger bottle and brand pedigree matter to you, yes. If you only care about the ingredient, most of the extra is up-front: per ounce Biossance has tracked The Ordinary closely, so The Ordinary is the better buy mainly if you want a smaller bottle or a lower spend at checkout.