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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Squalene is a naturally occurring lipid found in humans and other living sources. It is used in some cosmetics and in formulated vaccine adjuvants, including the oil-in-water emulsion MF59. The controversy stems mainly from late-1990s claims linking experimental squalene-containing vaccine formulations to Gulf War illnesses. A 1999 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said Defense officials considered but rejected those formulations for troops, while also saying it could not determine definitively whether they were administered.
What is squalene?
Squalene is a lipid found in human biology and in sources such as shark liver oil and some vegetable oils. The 1999 GAO report also distinguishes squalene from squalane: squalane is the hydrogenated form of squalene.
The ingredient’s name alone does not tell you how a person is exposed to it. Squalene in a topical cosmetic, squalene as one component of an injected vaccine formulation, and squalene occurring naturally in the body involve different routes and contexts.
Is squalene in vaccines?
Yes. Squalene is a component of MF59, an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant used in Fluad influenza vaccines in the United States. The adjuvant is the formulated system, not simply squalene by itself. The GAO report explains that squalene or squalane alone is not a complete adjuvant; an adjuvant is incorporated into a vaccine to accelerate, enhance, or prolong a specific immune response.
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The CDC says MF59 has been used in flu vaccines in Europe since 1997 and in the United States since 2016, and describes its use in millions of people as having an excellent safety record. These statements refer to the CDC’s description of MF59 and do not mean all products, formulations, or exposure routes are interchangeable. The CDC also says adjuvanted vaccines are tested before U.S. licensure and monitored after approval. CDC: Adjuvants and Vaccines
Why did squalene become controversial?
The Gulf War-era claims
In the late 1990s, claims circulated that squalene antibodies had been detected in some ill Gulf War-era veterans, prompting hypotheses that an adjuvant might be connected to their symptoms. In its report published March 29, 1999, the GAO said the independent researchers’ assay had not yet been published. It also cautioned that detecting antibodies would not, by itself, show an association with illness or establish that squalene caused symptoms.
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What the GAO said about vaccine use
The GAO reported that Defense officials said they considered, but decided against, using experimental vaccine formulations containing squalene to protect Gulf War troops. The report also said it could not definitively determine whether Gulf War-era veterans had or had not received such formulations. Both points matter: the report does not support a categorical claim that troops received them, nor does it establish that no one did. GAO: Gulf War Illnesses—Questions About the Presence of Squalene Antibodies in Veterans Can Be Resolved
What the trial count does—and does not—show
The 1999 GAO report counted 28 clinical trials involving 1,749 human subjects for vaccines using squalene-containing adjuvant formulations. Those figures describe the trials reported at that time; they are not a current worldwide total and do not, by themselves, establish a safety conclusion.
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How does squalene in cosmetics differ from vaccine use?
Cosmetic use is topical, while a vaccine adjuvant is part of a formulation administered by injection. The ingredient’s presence in both settings does not make the products or exposures equivalent.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel’s 2023 assessment concluded that squalene and squalane are safe as cosmetic ingredients under the practices of use and concentrations described in its report. That conclusion is specific to those ingredient-use conditions, not a blanket assurance about every finished product or use. Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Squalane and Squalene
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In the United States, FDA says cosmetic products and ingredients generally do not require premarket approval. Companies and individuals marketing cosmetics remain legally responsible for ensuring product safety. FDA: Cosmetic Products
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is squalene the same as squalane?
No. They are related but distinct ingredients: squalane is the hydrogenated form of squalene. The 2023 cosmetic ingredient review considered both under specified cosmetic practices and concentrations. When checking a skincare label, look for the exact ingredient name rather than assuming that a product containing squalane contains squalene.
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What do health authorities say about adjuvants?
The CDC says, “Adjuvants have been used safely in vaccines for decades.” Its current vaccine-safety information discusses licensed adjuvanted vaccines such as Fluad and the testing and monitoring process in the United States. The World Health Organization’s advisory committee noted in a record of its 2005 meeting that a squalene-containing adjuvant was already used for a licensed flu vaccine and called for authoritative information on adjuvant safety. That historical record is context, not a current safety determination on its own. WHO: Adjuvants
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