Beauty & personal care
Vegan alternative to shark squalene: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace shark squalene with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Olive-derived squalane (serums and moisturisers).
- Ratio: 1:1.
- Pro tip: The plant version is chemically identical and is now the industry standard — check the INCI ends in '-ane'.
- 2 vegan alternatives to compare for shark squalene.
Why shark squalene isn't vegan
Historically harvested from shark liver oil.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Olive-derived squalane | Serums and moisturisers |
| Sugarcane squalane | Sustainable, identical molecule |
How to substitute shark squalene, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Olive-derived squalane — serums and moisturisers. If you need a different texture, Sugarcane squalane works for sustainable, identical molecule.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing shark squalene.
- 3
Adjust the method
The plant version is chemically identical and is now the industry standard — check the INCI ends in '-ane'.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than shark squalene. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures shark squalene by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: The plant version is chemically identical and is now the industry standard — check the INCI ends in '-ane'.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1.
Pro tip
The plant version is chemically identical and is now the industry standard — check the INCI ends in '-ane'.
Check the evidence before choosing
Vegan ingredients, cruelty-free testing policies and environmental claims answer different questions. Check the exact product and its market, not just the brand name or a badge on the front of the pack.
Compare price per serving or use, the full ingredient list and any certification in the certifier’s own directory. Missing evidence means the claim is unconfirmed; it does not automatically mean the product fails.
- A practical example
- For a plant milk, compare protein and fortification alongside price per litre. For skincare, check ingredients and animal-testing policy separately.
- What to keep in mind
- Formulas, prices and certification can change. A ranking is a starting point for comparison, not a guarantee or an independent laboratory test.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to shark squalene?
- Olive-derived squalane is the closest all-round swap — serums and moisturisers. 1:1.
- Why isn't shark squalene vegan?
- Historically harvested from shark liver oil.
- How much do I use instead of shark squalene?
- 1:1.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- The plant version is chemically identical and is now the industry standard — check the INCI ends in '-ane'.
Not sure if a product contains shark squalene?
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