The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Hemisqualane (Sugarcane-Derived)
aka c13-15 alkane · neossance hemisqualane
Amyris's Neossance Hemisqualane — fermented from sugarcane via genetically engineered yeast (the same Biossance squalane platform). Hemisqualane is the lighter, lower-MW cousin: silicone-feel slip without silicone, used in haircare (OUAI Wave Spray, K18) and lightweight skincare to deliver the dimethicone aesthetic on a clean label. Biotech-clean's most quietly dominant texture ingredient.
- silicone-like slip and shine without dimethicone
- vegan, biodegradable, biotech-fermented
- lightweight — won't weigh down hair or skin
- clean haircare slip (OUAI, K18)
- lightweight facial oils
- silicone-replacement primers
Use 1–10% in haircare and skincare emulsions; 1–100% in oils and serums. Compatible with virtually any system. The supply chain (Amyris, single-source) is the open business risk after Amyris's 2023–2024 financial restructuring.
Single-supplier ingredient — supply continuity is the open question. 'Squalane' and 'hemisqualane' are sometimes conflated in marketing.
Strongly positive — the biotech-clean answer to silicone.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Hemisqualane (Sugarcane-Derived)
aka c13-15 alkane · neossance hemisqualane
Amyris's Neossance Hemisqualane — fermented from sugarcane via genetically engineered yeast (the same Biossance squalane platform). Hemisqualane is the lighter, lower-MW cousin: silicone-feel slip without silicone, used in haircare (OUAI Wave Spray, K18) and lightweight skincare to deliver the dimethicone aesthetic on a clean label. Biotech-clean's most quietly dominant texture ingredient.
- silicone-like slip and shine without dimethicone
- vegan, biodegradable, biotech-fermented
- lightweight — won't weigh down hair or skin
- clean haircare slip (OUAI, K18)
- lightweight facial oils
- silicone-replacement primers
Use 1–10% in haircare and skincare emulsions; 1–100% in oils and serums. Compatible with virtually any system. The supply chain (Amyris, single-source) is the open business risk after Amyris's 2023–2024 financial restructuring.
Single-supplier ingredient — supply continuity is the open question. 'Squalane' and 'hemisqualane' are sometimes conflated in marketing.
Strongly positive — the biotech-clean answer to silicone.