Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser Review: Worth The Splurge?

Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Squalane is a fab moisturiser. But in a cleanser? Don’t expect miracles. Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser promises to wash away dirt, excess oil, and makeup without stripping your skin dry. The science makes sense. Gentle surfactants do the cleaning, while squalane helps moisturise skin. But here’s the catch: most of it goes straight down the drain. So, is this Biossance cleanser worth the splurge, or are you paying extra for ingredients your skin barely gets to enjoy? Here’s my Biossance cleanser review.

Key Ingredients In Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser: What Does The Science Say?

GENTLE SURFACTANTS

Ever washed your face and felt like your skin had shrunk two sizes? That’s what happens when a cleanser removes too much of your skin’s natural oils along with the dirt. Not exactly what you signed up for, is it? Biossance uses four gentle surfactants to clean your skin without being unnecessarily harsh:

• Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine: Helps create a rich, creamy foam and makes the other surfactants less irritating.
• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A mild cleansing agent that washes away dirt and excess oil without being as harsh as traditional soap.
• Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate: Helps lift dirt and oil off your skin without stripping it bare.
• Cocoyl Proline: An amino acid-based surfactant that boosts the formula’s cleansing power while keeping it gentle (more on it below).

Why four? Isn’t one enough? Not if you want a cleanser that cleans well without leaving your face feeling like sandpaper. Combining different surfactants can reduce their irritation potential, while giving you the foam and cleansing power you want. Does that mean there’s zero chance of irritation? I wish! Even gentle surfactants can cause dryness and irritation, especially if you wash your face too often. But this is on the gentler side for a foaming cleanser.

SQUALANE

I’m a big fan of squalane, the star ingredient here. This lightweight oil makes skin softer and smoother, helps prevent moisture loss, and doesn’t leave a greasy mess behind. Even oily skin loves it. Biossance gets its squalane from renewable sugarcane instead of shark livers. Better for the sharks, same benefits for your skin. What’s not to love? Well, there’s one catch. This is a cleanser. You’re washing it off almost as soon as you put it on. So why bother adding squalane at all? It’s not just there to look pretty on the ingredient list. Adding moisturising ingredients to cleansers can help counteract the drying effects of washing. 

AMINO ACID COMPLEX

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They’re also naturally found in your skin, where they help attract and hold onto moisture. But does adding them to a cleanser actually do anything? Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser contains two amino acid-related ingredients:

• Cocoyl Proline: A combination of the amino acid proline and coconut-derived fatty acids. It’s a gentle surfactant that helps dissolve dirt, oil, and makeup. Research on amino acid-based cleansers suggests they can clean your skin without stripping away too much of its natural moisture. That’s exactly what you want from a face wash.
• Hydrolyzed Pea Protein: Pea proteins broken down into smaller fragments, including peptides and potentially free amino acids. They help moisturise skin, so it feels softer after cleansing. 

My Experience With Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser

I love a cleanser that gets the job done without leaving my skin feeling like it’s been washed with washing-up liquid. Is that too much to ask? Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser has a lightweight gel texture that turns into a soft, creamy foam when you add warm water. No mountains of bubbles here. Just enough lather to spread easily over my entire face and wash away the day’s grime.

The fragrance? Fresh and herbal, courtesy of rosemary, geranium, and other essential oils. Personally, I could do without them. They make the cleanser smell nice, but they do absolutely nothing to make my skin cleaner. And if you have sensitive skin, they may cause irritation. Why take the risk?  The pump bottle gets a thumbs-up, though. No fiddly caps, no squeezing the last drop out of a tube, no mess all over the sink.

But what about the results? This gentle gel cleanser gets rid of dirt and excess oil without leaving my skin feeling tight or uncomfortable. My face feels clean and soft afterwards.  For everyday cleansing, it does the job. But I wouldn’t trust it to remove stubborn waterproof makeup on its own. That’s what cleansing oils are for.

Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser vs Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser has a lightweight gel texture that turns into a rich, creamy foam. It uses a mix of gentle cleansing agents to lift dirt and excess oil off your skin, while aloe vera, glycerin, and squalane help keep dryness at bay. It does a good job of removing everyday grime and light makeup, leaving skin feeling fresh and soft rather than tight and squeaky clean. I’d pick this one for normal, oily, and combination skin, especially if you want a face wash that gets rid of the grease without making your cheeks feel like sandpaper.

Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil is a silky oil that melts into makeup and sunscreen as you massage it over dry skin. Its blend of lightweight oils dissolves the oily ingredients in makeup, while emulsifiers allow everything to mix with water and rinse away. No greasy film, no endless scrubbing. It also contains moisturising plant oils, including rosehip and evening primrose, which may make it feel more comfortable for dry skin. If you’re dealing with stubborn foundation or waterproof mascara, this is the one I’d reach for. 

Does Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser Live Up To Its Claims?

Where To Buy

$30.00 at Biossance, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and SpaceNK

Is Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser Worth The Money?

Yes, if you’re happy to splurge on a cleanser. It does its job well, has a lovely creamy foam, and leaves skin clean and soft without stripping it dry. What’s not to love? At this price point, it’s pricier than it needs to be. You can find cheaper cleansers that work just as well for your skincare routine. But that doesn’t make this a bad buy. If you love the texture and your skin gets along with the essential oils, go for it.