The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser – Double Cleanse Review

For me, it’s an absolute staple that I just can’t go without for long. I’ve been using the product for three months and I’ve honestly fallen in love with the results.

For those of you who haven’t gotten to know me yet, let me quickly introduce my skin type. With combination skin that is extremely prone to oiliness and acne, you can imagine that I was in search of the perfect cleanser that would remove my makeup and dirt accumulation without stripping my face from its natural and healthy sebum.

In a nutshell, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser ticked all of the boxes in the must-have list of capabilities.

What is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser?

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a soap-free product designed to rid the skin of makeup and accumulated dirt.

At the same time, it offers support for the skin’s natural barrier thanks to its moisture-providing ingredients. The cleanser makes your skin feel soft and smooth and completely dissolves any makeup.

Ingredients and highlights

The ingredient list

One of the most important things that I always do when analyzing or reviewing a skincare product is to take a deep dive into the ingredient list. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser formula is created using:

Squalane, Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin.

The key ingredients here are:

• Squalane – a powerful moisturizing agent that also supports the skin barrier.
• Glycerin – another ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier by providing hydration and prevention against water loss. In cleansers, it helps to not strip away the natural moisture barrier you already have.
• Sucrose Stearate – a skin emollient that also softens and smoothes out the skin.
• Ethyl Macadamiate – prevents moisture loss and softens the skin.
• Sucrose Laurate – a gentle cleansing agent that also supports the skin by protecting it against oxidative stress.
• Malic acid – improves the skin texture and has anti-aging properties as it reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Product highlights

The first thing that separates this product from many others is that it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. It works on all skin types, making it a perfect fit for daily use.

The cleanser works by detaching makeup and other impurities from the skin. The use of emulsifying sucrose esters helps dissolve the makeup and makes it very easy to rinse it off the face.

It’s equally effective for sunscreen removal.

Some of the core The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser benefits include:

• Alcohol-free
• Silicone-free
• Nut-free
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Cruelty-free
• Water-free

Packaging, amount of product, and how long does it last

This cleanser comes in a traditional squeeze tube that is super easy to use. The packaging is typical for The Ordinary and has a nice, minimalistic design that represents simplicity.

The product is available in two sizes, depending on your preferences, budget, and intended use.

You can find it in a bottle of 1.69 oz (50ml) and 5.07 oz (150ml). If you purchase the larger version it will last for around a month, maybe more, if you use it twice a day regularly, even if you double cleanse in the evening.

How to use it and where does it best fit in a routine?

You can use the Squalane Cleanser by The Ordinary as a first or second cleansing product in your skincare regimen. I’ve personally used it for both for the last three months.

When using it as a starter product, make sure to gently rub it in your hands for around 20 seconds before applying it to damp skin. This will warm up the product and help it turn into a balm-oil texture. Massage the face and let it work its magic in cleaning impurities and removing makeup.

When I use it, I let the product on the skin for a minute during the first cleansing stage. This allows it to dissolve makeup, foundation, and other debris much easier. After that, I wash it off with lukewarm water and apply it again, this time rinsing it immediately after to avoid over-stripping my skin, as gentle as the cleanser is.

Can you double-cleanse with the ordinary squalane cleanser?

Yes, the good news is that you can double cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser – it’s both gentle and effective enough to use it twice.

Double cleansing is a popular method for a lot of users who strive to fully remove all makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil from the face.

You can use this product for double cleansing as the squalane is extremely lightweight and won’t clog your pores.

Texture and experience

This cleanser is so easy to use and a brilliant experience for both beginners and experienced skincare enthusiasts.

Its texture is nice and creamy and the product can easily be compared to a gel. It’s extremely lightweight and once applied, the consistency transforms into something similar to a balm oil, especially if you rub it in your palms before application.

Who is this for

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is designed for all skin types and can be useful for all skin conditions. It’s even suitable for women going through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

Who is this not for

There aren’t any cases where this cleanser won’t be a good fit. However, people with excessively oily skin have shared that the cleanser hasn’t performed that well in removing all of the visible sebum from the skin.

I also want to note that, since it’s The Ordinary that we’re talking about, you should expect a basic experience with this cleanser. All of the brand’s formulations are known for their no-frills experience, so don’t expect it to be a luxurious, amazingly-smelling product.

Does it live up to its claims?

From regularly using the product for months, I can conclude that if you use it only as a single cleansing, the product won’t be enough if your skin is oily and you wear makeup and SPF.

If you double cleanse with it or use an oil-based cleanser in the first cleansing phase then the product fully performs all that it promises to.

Price & availability

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is available for $19.99 for the large bottle of 5.07 oz and for $5.75 for the mini (prices may vary). You can easily find it across different online skincare stores and in physical stores too.

Frequently asked questions

Now that you know the ins and outs of the product, let’s answer some of the most popular questions about it out there.

Does The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser break you out?

No, the squalane cleanser by The Ordinary doesn’t cause breakouts due to its non-comedogenic formula – there are no comedogenic ingredients in it.

There are also no strong actives in the cleanser, so purging is also out of the question.

How often should you use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser?

Can you use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser twice a day?

Yes, you can.

The ingredients in the formula are not too aggressive and won’t deprive the skin of its natural and valuable oil and won’t cause any dryness.

What does Squalane Cleanser do for the skin?

The core goal of the product is to remove makeup, dirt, and sebum from the skin. However, the cleanser also protects the natural skin barrier and hydrates pretty well.

Does The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser remove sunscreen?

Yes, you can count on The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser to effectively wash sunscreen and makeup from your skin.

Can I use Squalane Cleanser with glycolic acid?

Yes, you can use this cleanser alongside glycolic acid or any other acid. However, keep in mind that it’s important to use glycolic acid after the squalane cleanser and before other products from your skincare regime.

Can the Squalane Cleanser be used every day?

The product is an excellent choice for a daily cleanser as it’s soap-free and non-comedogenic. Put otherwise, it won’t dry out your skin nor will it clog your pores with frequent use.

Does The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser have salicylic acid?

No, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser doesn’t contain any salicylic acid or other BHAs (or AHAs) for that matter. However, The Ordinary does use the ingredient, meaning you can find it in other products from their range.

Is Squalane Cleanser good for mature skin?

Yes, the product can be used for mature skin as it’s ideal for all skin types. The presence of malic acid in the ingredient list makes it a perfect choice for mature skin as it helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with consistent use.

Does The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser foam?

No, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser doesn’t foam. When rubbed in the palm of your hands and warmed up it turns into a milky, creamy cleanser. When you wash it with water, it comes off foam-free.

Is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser an oil cleanser?

Yes, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is oil-based. Squalane is the oil that The Ordinary used in the creation of this product.

Is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser an oil cleanser?

Yes, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is oil-based. Squalane is the oil that The Ordinary used in the creation of this product.

Is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser good for acne?

Although The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is not a medical treatment for acne, it’s a product that is certainly safe for acne-prone skin. This is mostly because it’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t lead to pore clogging and breakouts. Since it’s also hydrating, it can boost the speed of acne recovery.

Is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser good for oily skin?

Yes, the Squalane cleanser by The Ordinary is a perfect fit for oily skin. It will remove any impurities and at the same time reduce the oiliness of the face without harming the natural skin barrier. However, if you have extremely oily skin, you might like a foaming cleanser better.

If you’ve had any experience with the product and you’d like to share your feedback and stories, you can do so by using the comments section below.