What a 1/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 1 sits at the safe end of the scale — clogging is unlikely for most people. That places Squalene in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Squalene, so we publish the range (1) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Squalene near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Squalene
It is a lightweight emollient chosen for slip without heaviness. The unsaturated parent of squalane, rated around 1 but prone to oxidation, which raises real-world clogging risk. Distinct from the more stable squalane.
On a label it can read as Squalene, Shark Squalene, Shark Liver Oil — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Squalene in makeup and skincare
It is a favourite in 'skin-friendly' foundations and lightweight moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Squalene is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Squalene comedogenic FAQ
Is Squalene comedogenic?
Not usually. Squalene is rated 1/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin. Sources disagree on Squalene, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Squalene?
Squalene has a comedogenic rating of 1/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 132 rate higher than Squalene, 28 rate lower, and 29 others share its 1/5. Among the 3 rated emollients, none rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Squalene pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 1/5, Squalene sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.