Is Squalane banned?
Squalane is permitted by the US FDA. Several countries restrict, warning-label, or have reviewed it for safety concerns. The US has more lenient additive rules than the EU, UK, Canada, and Japan, which is why this ingredient remains widely used here.
Why Squalane is flagged
Squalane has an outstanding safety profile with essentially no identified risks at cosmetic use levels. The CIR has confirmed its safety. It is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and barrier-compromised skin. No carcinogenic or endocrine effects are documented. Sustainability is a concern if derived from shark liver oil (now rare); ethical consumers should verify plant-derived sources.
Scan your pantry for Squalane
Get a free Safe / Caution / Avoid score on any US food or beauty barcode \u2014 with EFSA + FDA citations.
Scan a product \u2192See the full Squalane deep-dive page for regulatory citations, products that contain it, and verified clean swaps.