How we source squalane (and why it matters)

Squalane is one of the few skincare ingredients where the source still actually matters. The same molecule comes from three places: shark liver (still legal in most markets, still terrible), olive (the legacy plant source), and sugarcane fermentation (the newer biotech route). We use sugarcane.

Why not olive

Olive squalane is fine - it''s what most "clean" brands use, and it works. The issue is consistency: olive harvest yields vary year to year, the purification process leaves trace olive proteins that some sensitive skin reacts to, and the supply chain has had counterfeiting problems (adulterated with cheaper oils).

Why sugarcane

Fermented sugarcane squalane is 99.9% pure, molecularly identical to the squalane your own skin produces, completely vegan, and traceable to a single fermentation plant in Brazil. Our supplier (Amyris) publishes a COA for every batch.

Vellum''s squalane oil is one ingredient - sugarcane-derived squalane - bottled at 100% concentration with nothing added. We don''t formulate it with fragrance, essential oils, or stabilizers. The shelf life is 24 months in amber glass; it doesn''t need a preservative.

How much you actually need

Three drops. Press, don''t rub. Apply after your water-based serums and before any cream. If your skin still feels tight 30 minutes later, you can add two more drops - but most people don''t need to.