🇳🇱Netherlands

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane for dry sensitive skin

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
  • Squalane

High

  • SuperiorDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate hydration for your dry or flaky skin and sensitivity due to the presence of squalane in concentrations that provide emollient benefits.
  • Excellent suitability for dry skin is achieved through squalane's superb emollient action, smoothing intercellular lipids and reducing water loss.
  • The safety profile is excellent for your dry and sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing squalane.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
  • Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 2.3k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this product as a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that effectively hydrates dry and sensitive skin without clogging pores. While the vast majority find it versatile for both face and hair, a small minority of users with specific skin sensitivities experienced breakouts or found the texture too greasy for daytime use.

Highlights

  • Excellent value Often Mentioned
    • “unbeatable price point”
    • “bottle lasts forever”
    • “cheap but effective”
    • “better than expensive oils”
  • Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately”
    • “doesn't feel heavy”
    • “perfect non-greasy moisture”
    • “leaves a healthy glow”
  • Soothes sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “stopped retinol irritation”
    • “no stinging or redness”
  • Versatile multi-use Sometimes Noted
    • “tames hair frizz”
    • “mixes well with moisturizer”
    • “great cuticle oil”
    • “use on dry elbows”
  • Greasy residue Sometimes Noted
    • “sat on top of skin”
    • “too oily for day”
    • “made me look shiny”
    • “didn't absorb well”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “gave me cystic acne”
    • “clogged my pores”
    • “caused tiny whiteheads”
    • “skin texture got bumpy”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
    • “still had dry patches”
    • “felt too thin”
    • “needed a cream on top”
    • “disappeared too fast”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “dropper cap broke”
    • “bottle leaks easily”
    • “hard to close tightly”
    • “messy to travel with”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, target.com, makeupalley.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a great fit because it provides moderate hydration and a very safe option for dry and sensitive skin. It helps smooth skin and prevents water loss without any harsh ingredients.

Molecules, 2025Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Squalane makes this moisturizer a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because it helps smooth dry patches and locks in moisture without causing irritation. It has a very safe profile and reduces water loss so your skin stays soft and calm.

Molecules, 2025Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025

What does Squalane do for dry sensitive skin?

Squalane helps keep dry sensitive skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture and calming irritation without causing flare-ups. It is unlikely to cause redness or discomfort, making it a gentle choice that supports the skin barrier. This type of skin needs ingredients that deeply hydrate and soothe, such as plant oils and antioxidants.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Molecules, 2009

Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This moisturizer goes at the end of your evening routine after your treatment, and it is also used in the morning after your cleanser and soothing toner before your moisturizing SPF. Using a daily moisturizer helps improve visual dryness and keeps dry skin feeling soft and comfortable.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane with retinol by applying your retinol first and following it with this moisturizer. This helps keep your dry sensitive skin calm and soft while reducing potential irritation.

How often should I use this moisturizer?

You can use this moisturizer daily in your morning and evening routines to help keep your dry sensitive skin soft and smooth. Its formulation is very safe and gentle, and regular application helps lock in moisture while reducing water loss.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This moisturizer is a great fit and is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and uses soothing squalane. Reviewers rarely mention breakouts, though some note a greasy residue.

Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because squalane provides great smoothing and gentle hydration for dry and sensitive skin. It is very safe and well-tolerated on delicate areas without causing irritation.

Molecules, 2025Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025

What the research says

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025

Ingredients

Squalane

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

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Prices checked 13 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the Netherlands.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.