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Another natural substance that has the power to soothe and heal your skin / feet is squalene.

Squalene is a biochemical precursor in the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. It is also one of the principal hydrocarbons contained in the protective surface lipids of the skin, where it amounts to approximately 15% of the total fat content, although this declines substantially with aging. {18} Distributed widely throughout most of nature, squalene is found in everything from the liver of deep sea sharks to vegetable sources like olive, palm, wheat germ, and rice bran oils.

Truly one of nature’s great emollients, squalene is quickly and efficiently absorbed deep into the skin, restoring healthy suppleness and flexibility without leaving an oily residue. This highly effective natural moisturizer is great at replenishing missing oils and soothing dry, rough, or sun-exposed skin. It’s no wonder that countless generations of fishermen from Scandinavia, Japan, and the South Pacific have used fish oils rich in squalene for healing the irritated skin of their faces and hands. Squalene from olive oil is generally preferred for dermatological use, however, because of its greater stability. Olive oil contains about 0.2-0.7% squalene. {19}

In addition to its ability to naturally nourish and hydrate tissue, evidence suggests that squalene may help fight dangerous bacteria that can infect the skin. {20}

Squalene also has potent antioxidant effects that may benefit skin health. Experimental evidence indicates that squalene is a highly effective oxygen-scavenging agent. {21} Squalene’s molecular composition allows it to donate electrons in order to neutralize dangerous peroxide radicals. Squalene has a chemical structure that is similar to vitamin A, allowing it to protect the skin surface from lipid peroxidation due to UV exposure and other sources of oxidative stress. Squalene’s powerful free radical-quenching ability has been shown to be equal to that of butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT, one of the most powerful antioxidants known to science. {21}

Squalene not only inhibits the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, but also moisturizes, heals, and nourishes the skin of your feet, leaving them looking younger and feeling silky soft and smooth.

References

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