Definition:

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herbgreey®Squalene Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Squalene is a naturally occurring triterpenoid compound, named after its initial extraction from the livers of deep-sea sharks, such as those in the Squalus genus. It is now known to be present in a variety of sources, including plants, microorganisms, and human sebum (e.g. soybean oil, olive oil, palm oil, wheat germ, and secretions from human sebaceous glands). It is a colourless, transparent, oily liquid. It is prone to oxidation at room temperature, so commercially available products often require antioxidants (such as vitamin E) to maintain stability. Squalene is insoluble in water, but soluble in oils and organic solvents.

Particularities of herbgreey®Squalene:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, EP, Food grade, Cosmetic grade, In-house

▶Antioxidant

herbgreey®Squalene Applications:

The unsaturated double bonds in herbgreey®Squalene can bind to excess free radicals (such as reactive oxygen species, or ROS) in the body. This reduces the oxidative damage that free radicals cause to cellular lipids, proteins and DNA, thereby helping to maintain normal cellular structure and function. Research shows that squalene's antioxidant capacity can alleviate oxidative stress-related cellular ageing. It is particularly widely used in protecting skin cells (e.g. by reducing the oxidative damage caused to the skin by ultraviolet rays).

■ Source

The main sources of squalene are animal, plant and microbial synthesis. There are differences in the extraction processes and application scenarios of these sources. Traditionally, animal-derived sources were obtained from the livers of deep-sea sharks (such as dogfish and mako sharks) through pressing, solvent extraction, refining, and purification. However, due to concerns about shark conservation (as some species are endangered), environmental controversies and the risk of heavy metal contamination, their use has gradually decreased and they are now only used in a few specific fields. Plant-based sources are now more commonplace and include soybean oil, olive oil (particularly extra virgin olive oil), palm oil, wheat germ oil and amaranth seed oil. Products extracted from oil refining by-products are environmentally friendly, sustainable and free from animal welfare controversies. These are the main sources of food, cosmetics and health supplements and offer higher safety standards. Microbial sources are a relatively new option and include yeast (such as brewer's yeast), fungi (such as Ganoderma lucidum) and microalgae (such as chlorella). Microbial fermentation extraction can be optimised for yield through genetic engineering. It is not limited by climate or raw materials and has easier-to-control purity. This makes it an important area of research for future industrial production. herbgreey®Squalene is derived from pure plant sources, specifically soybeans, and is produced under strict quality control and sustainability measures.

herbgreey®Squalene is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®Squalene oil 50%

As a dietary supplement, herbgreey®Squalene is primarily ingested orally for health support. For individuals with dry or ageing skin, oral supplements can improve the skin's lipid barrier through endogenous regulation, thereby reducing dryness and flakiness. Some products claim to enhance physical stamina and alleviate fatigue, making them suitable for individuals engaged in high-intensity work or exercise as a daily health supplement. Common product forms include oil-based capsules and softgels. Some brands combine squalene with vitamin E to enhance antioxidant synergy or with fish oil to increase the product's value.

herbgreey®Squalene has specialised applications in the pharmaceutical industry, where its core value lies in its biocompatibility and functionality. One of its key applications is as a pharmaceutical excipient. It can also serve as a carrier for lipophilic drugs, such as vitamins A, D and E, or certain anticancer drugs, enhancing their solubility and absorption in the intestines while reducing gastrointestinal irritation. It is commonly used in oral formulations, such as soft capsules and emulsions.

herbgreey®Squalene is a natural component of human skin's sebaceous glands (accounting for 10%-15% of total sebum) and is highly compatible with the skin's barrier structure. This makes it a core ingredient in mid-to-high-end skincare products. In moisturising products, squalene forms a breathable protective barrier on the skin's surface, reducing moisture evaporation (occlusive moisturisation), while also penetrating the stratum corneum to improve dryness and roughness. It is particularly beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin, or for those experiencing seasonal dryness.

herbgreey®Squalene's antioxidant properties help to neutralise free radicals on the skin's surface, reducing the oxidative damage caused by external stimuli such as UV rays and pollution. Squalene is also suitable for infant skincare products as it is gentle and non-irritating, with a lipid profile similar to that of infant skin. This makes it effective in preventing infant skin dryness and reducing external irritation.

herbgreey®Squalene is a natural component of human skin sebaceous glands, accounting for approximately 10%-15% of total sebum. It has excellent skin permeability and moisturising properties. When applied topically, it forms a breathable protective barrier on the skin's surface, reducing moisture loss and improving dryness and roughness. Squalene's antioxidant properties can alleviate inflammatory skin reactions, such as mild sensitivity and redness, and promote skin barrier repair. This makes it a common core ingredient in skincare products, such as moisturisers and essential oils.

▶ Skin health

herbgreey®Squalene is a precursor for synthesising cholesterol, sex hormones, vitamin D and other steroid compounds in the human body. Some studies (mostly in vitro or animal experiments) suggest that taking squalene supplements may help to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by competing for absorption sites in the intestine or by regulating cholesterol synthesis enzyme activity in the liver. However, the efficacy of this effect in human clinical trials has not yet been conclusively demonstrated, and more high-quality research is needed to confirm it.

▶ Auxiliary metabolic regulation

■ Extraction process characteristics

Plant-derived herbgreey®Squalene has become the dominant source due to its environmental friendliness, sustainability and lack of animal welfare concerns. The production process focuses on efficient extraction and precise purification to maintain squalene activity while achieving high purity and low impurity levels (no solvent residues or heavy metals). Although the processes for different plant-based raw materials may vary slightly, the overall workflow can be divided into five core stages: pretreatment of the raw material, extraction, purification, refinement and stabilisation treatment.

The raw materials used to produce plant-derived squalene are primarily plant oils that are rich in squalene, or the by-products of their processing. The squalene content of these materials varies significantly, which has a direct impact on the efficiency of subsequent processes. Pretreatment is a critical step in enhancing extraction efficiency. This involves removing impurities and disrupting the structure of the raw material to prepare it for extraction. Direct extraction of plant oils involves filtering to remove impurities, as well as degumming and neutralisation processes. By-products of plant oil processing, such as deodorised distillates from soybean and palm oils, undergo defatting, drying and dehydration. The main methods currently used in industry are supercritical CO2 extraction and molecular distillation-solvent extraction. The crude extract obtained after extraction still contains impurities, such as fatty acids, vitamin E, pigments and waxes. These impurities must be removed through a process of purification and refining in order to achieve food-grade purity. herbgreey®Squalene molecules contain six unsaturated double bonds and are prone to oxidation at room temperature, forming peroxides. Therefore, stabilisation treatment is essential, with common methods including the addition of antioxidants.

General Information:

☑  herbgreey®Squalene oil 70%

☑  herbgreey®Squalene oil 80%