What do olive oil, sharks, wheat germ, tuna, and rice bran have in common? An unsaturated oil that no one concerned with their skin should be without – squalene. Whether you have an existing skin condition, or just want to make sure you don’t get one, squalene should be added to your basic natural skin care routine.

Squalene is similar to Vitamin A and, in addition to food sources, it is also synthesized in the liver. Deficiency of this oil has been closely linked to dry skin and premature aging. It has proven beneficial in the management of dry skin and dermatitis, and it smoothes out wrinkly and scaly skin.

In addition to its effects on the skin, squalene has a number of other health benefits. It was first discovered in 1906 by a doctor in Japan, but serious research began in 1930 when it was found that sharks – whose livers contain squalene in very high quantities – do not develop tumors or cancer. Studies have since shown that it helps control cholesterol and triglyceride levels, re-supplies cells with oxygen thereby increasing metabolism at a cellular level, acts as an antioxidant deep within the organs, detoxifies the body, and protects against foreign substances that weaken the immune system. Also, although there is much study still to be done, preliminary research has shown it to be effective in preventing the development skin cancer, chemically-induced cancers, and in regression of some already existing tumors.

So, if you include foods or supplements high in squalene in your natural skin care routine, you’ll be giving your body a big boost in overall health, and it will reward you with healthy, glowing skin. You should always consult yourdermatologist if you have a serious skin problem, but a healthy diet high in squalene and other nutrients should definitely be part of your program.