The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: How to use it and who it suits

How do you use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser?

1. 1Dispense the cleanser into dry hands.
2. 2Rub your hands together until the balm becomes an oil like consistency.
3. 3Gently massage it onto dry skin.
4. 4Rinse with warm water.

The Ordinary positions it for daily use, including as the first cleanser in an optional double cleanse.1

For tweens and teens with dry or sensitive skin, washing once in the evening can be enough; others can wash twice daily. Introduce one new product at a time so you can tell whether your skin tolerates it. Gentle washing matters more than scrubbing, which can irritate skin.2

What are the ingredients in The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser?

These are the key ingredients, not the full formula. Check your box for the complete list because formulations can change with time and region.1

What does squalane do for skin?

Squalane is an emollient, an ingredient that softens and smooths skin. It is made by stabilizing squalene, a lipid found naturally in skin's oil. Squalane is less likely to oxidize than squalene, making it more useful in skincare formulas.34

A separate squalane oil can help reduce moisture loss by sitting on the skin's surface. Apply that oil after lighter serums or toners. Those layering directions belong to an oil you leave on, not a cleanser you rinse away, despite the shared name doing its best to complicate the bathroom.14

Is squalane good for skin?

Squalane is useful for hydration, including for oily skin. The ingredient is noncomedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores. A finished product still needs to suit you: other ingredients can cause irritation or blocked pores. Sensitive skin needs attention to the whole formula, not just the ingredient on the front.4

The Ordinary describes Squalane Cleanser as suitable for dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. The formula is soap free, and its squalane is plant derived.1

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser review

Choose it for a balm texture and makeup removal, rather than a cleanser with an unnecessarily ambitious job description. The intended finish is soft, smooth and hydrated skin.1

Do you still need moisturizer?

If your skin is dry, follow washing with moisturizer while skin is still damp. Gently pat rather than rub your skin dry. A fragrance free cream or ointment is a better choice for relieving dryness than a lotion because it adds more moisture. Apply moisturizer again when skin feels dry.5

Repeated washing, cold weather and dry air can all contribute to dryness. Skin's outer layer holds moisture and forms a protective barrier; when it dries out, roughness, scaling and small cracks can develop. Mild dryness can clear within a few days with moisturizers, while more severe dryness needs longer care. That is a general moisturizer timeline, not a promised result from this cleanser.6

When should you stop using it?

Patch test before use and apply only to unbroken skin. If irritation occurs, rinse off, stop using the cleanser and consult a physician.1

See a dermatologist if dryness persists despite gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing. Tell them if skincare products cause burning, stinging or irritation. Persistent dryness can need treatment beyond changing your face wash.5