Olive squalane has seen a tremendous increase in consumption since shark liver oil was prohibited in cosmetics in Europe. Its exceptional sensorial profile including an excellent skin biocompatibility with a moisturising effect made it a favourite with cosmetic formulators.
For structural reasons, olive squalane availability impacts negatively on its price which has increased year after year. A new and non-reversible technological trend in the olive oil industry (physical refining) combined with conjunctural phenomena such as bad climatic conditions of industrial practices in olive oil refining, and invasive insect attacks (Mosqueta oleiferainfestation in Italy) reduces adequate availability of olive squalane along with the ability to offer it at a low price.
Otherwise the replacement of shark squalene, which remains the main squalane source in cosmetics worldwide, has become a priority in terms of biodiversity safeguarding in order to avoid already vulnerable shark species extinction.
In this context, innovation is needed to develop a new alternative to olive squalane which is cosmetically identical, 100% vegetable, readily available without any risk of supply shortage, ecofriendly, sustainable and cost effective to compete efficiently with shark squalane.
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