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An emollient balm cleanser at the price of a foaming one. Squalane Cleanser melts on contact with skin, dissolves makeup and SPF efficiently, then emulsifies with water into a milky lotion that rinses clean. Nothing flashy — but most balm cleansers in this format cost $35–45, and this is $14.50. For dry, sensitive, and mature skin or anyone tired of double-cleansing aggressively, this is a quiet hero. Fragrance-free, no essential oils, no irritants. Just squalane + safflower + behenyl alcohol doing their job.
Other routine steps with complementary ingredients.
Side-by-side ingredient breakdowns vs. the closest alternatives.
In-clinic and at-home treatments that use the same active ingredients.
The 14–28 day structured protocol for resetting a compromised skin barrier — strip the routine to the studs (cleanser, ceramide cream, SPF), drop every active, let the skin rebuild itself.
The moisturiser-retinoid-moisturiser layering trick that made retinoids tolerable for sensitive skin, popularised by US derm TikTok.
The J-beauty solo cleanse — one step, no follow-up foam, no stripping.
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Squalane Cleanser by The Ordinary is formulated for dry, sensitive, normal, mature skin. An emollient balm cleanser at the price of a foaming one. Squalane Cleanser melts on contact with skin, dissolves makeup and SPF efficiently, then emulsifies with water into a milky lotion that rinses clean. Nothing flashy — but most balm cleansers in this format cost $35–45, and this is $14.50. For dry, sensitive, and mature skin or anyone tired of double-cleansing aggressively, this is a quiet hero. Fragrance-free, no essential oils, no irritants. Just squalane + safflower + behenyl alcohol doing their job.
The key active ingredients in Squalane Cleanser are Squalane, Glycerin. It's known for: balm cleanser at gel-cleanser pricing and removes SPF and makeup with no residue.
Yes, Squalane Cleanser targets dryness, sensitivity. balm cleanser at gel-cleanser pricing
Squalane Cleanser retails for around $14.5, which places it in the budget range for cleansers. Check the "Where to Buy" section above for current retailer prices.
The main drawbacks to be aware of: solid format means it dispenses slowly and unevenly; emulsifies less cleanly than premium balm cleansers; tub format is unhygienic — use clean fingers or a spatula.
A suggested daily routine featuring this product, with complementary picks.
Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary · cleanser
Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
The Ordinary · toner
Marine Hyaluronics
The Ordinary · serum
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
The Ordinary · serum
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
The Ordinary · oil
Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
La Roche-Posay · sunscreen
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
The Ordinary · oil
