Hi,
Sometimes Seb Derm is triggered by oily skin.
Sometimes Seb Derm is triggered by dry skin causing sebum overproduction which causes oily skin.
Same thing?
Not quite.
With oily skin, you want to use a gentle light-weight moisturizer, just enough to keep your skin hydrated.
With dry skin, you may want to consider face oils.
However, most natural oils feed Malassezia and aggravate Seb Derm. So what is a Seb Derm sufferer to do?
Enter squalane.
Squalane is a byproduct of squalene. Our body produces squalene naturally, which is why squalane is such an excellent emollient for our skin and hair. In fact, squalene is found in our natural sebum.
However, squalene oxidizes quickly and is too unstable to be used in skincare products. Therefore, squalene is processed to become squalane, a stable form of the molecule.
Squalane oil is a non-comedogenic and has low immunogenicity. This means that it will not clog your pores or cause an allergic reaction. In fact, squalane oil can help with blackheads, clogged pores, and acne.
Even though it’s oily, squalane oil is not a fat. It’s a hydrocarbon without fatty acids so it will not feed Malassezia yeast.
Squalane’s anti-fungal abilities isn’t confirmed outside the test tube and squalane oil isn’t actually a treatment for Seb Derm.
However, if you want to use a face oil, squalane is one you can safely use in moderation.
Check out the deep dive: Is Squalane Good For Seb Derm?
