On Instagram, the hashtag #cleangirl has already passed 4 million posts, and #maquillajenatural and #spanishgirlmakeup are also racking up millions of views on Reels and TikTok, cementing themselves as a genuine trend that has taken over Spain.
According to the Spanish fashion and lifestyle magazine Hola.com (2025), Ester Expósito, star of the Netflix series “Élite” (26 million followers), is said to have fuelled the “natural beauty” craze among Spain's 10-to-20-year-olds by wearing a sheer base that respects the skin's texture instead of a heavy, full-coverage foundation.
☀️What exactly is Sun-Kissed makeup, and how do you get it?
As the name suggests, it's a clean girl–style makeup look that aims for a healthy, radiant appearance, as if the skin were lightly and naturally tanned by the sun.
The key formula comes down to three points:
- A skin tint instead of foundation (one that doesn't completely cover imperfections) ✔️
- Warm-toned bronzer and blush that connect the cheeks and the bridge of the nose ✔️
- ‼️ A natural glow (dewy skin) that looks like it comes from the skincare itself, not from an artificial glitter finish ✨ ✔️ ‼️
In reality, anyone can get 🔗the blush or 🔗the tint for the clean girl look just by buying the right product, but that “glow that seems to come from the skincare itself” isn't achieved with makeup: it's the result of skin that is truly hydrated and healthy.
The simpler the makeup base —that is, the less you cover up with product—, the more the real condition of the skin underneath shows. Applying just a tint over dry, dull skin won't create that “dewy glow”.
So, how do you get that glow?
The answer lies in one ingredient: squalane.
🌿 What exactly is squalane, from a scientific point of view?
The hydrolipidic film of healthy skin contains a considerable amount of squalene, which helps protect the skin and prevent water loss. However, from your mid-to-late twenties, the body's ability to synthesise squalene drops noticeably, and external factors such as UV rays and pollution can weaken the skin barrier, paving the way for intense inner dryness and premature ageing. 🚨
→ What's the difference between squalane and squalene?
- Squalene (unsaturated lipid): a natural component of sebum, but chemically unstable; when exposed to air, it oxidises easily and forms lipid peroxides. This oxidised by-product is one of the main causes of clogged pores and the appearance of breakouts and inflammation.
- Squalane (saturated, hydrogenated compound): a saturated oil obtained by adding hydrogen to squalene, which fully stabilises its molecular structure. Because its structure is stable, it doesn't oxidise easily, so it has become one of the oil-based ingredients considered most suitable for minimising the risk of irritation or breakouts.
In other words, squalane is the evolved version of squalene: it keeps its nature as a sebum component but fixes the problem of oxidising easily, offering a more stable form for skincare.
→ How can squalane help the skin?
- Barrier support and fast absorption: it absorbs almost instantly, without leaving a greasy feel or a sense of unabsorbed product, and it can help fill the gaps in a weakened skin barrier, helping the skin regain its natural balance.
- Long-lasting softness: compared with mineral oils such as petroleum-derived liquid paraffin, squalane tends to feel less greasy and penetrate more superficially, which can help the skin stay feeling soft for longer.
- Support in delivering active ingredients: thanks to its good penetration, it can help active ingredients work more effectively on the skin; because of this property, it's used not only in cosmetics but also in medicinal ointments and suppositories, among other uses.
→ Wait, is squalane vegan? 🐰
In the past, shark liver oil of animal origin was commonly used, but today 100% plant-based squalane derived from olive or sugarcane has become the standard in clean beauty. Even so, it's worth checking whether the rest of the product's ingredients are also vegan.
References
Cleveland Clinic, “What Is Squalane?”
🎯 So, who really needs ‘squalane’ urgently?
If you recognise yourself in any of these profiles, squalane may, right now, deserve a higher spot on your vanity than any expensive cream. 💧
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Type A: skin with “intense inner dryness” that, no matter how much product you apply, feels parched again by the afternoon.
- → It can help retain moisture in the deeper layers of the skin, so it doesn't evaporate so easily.
- → It can help retain moisture in the deeper layers of the skin, so it doesn't evaporate so easily.
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Type B: skin that looks “dull and rough” when you skip foundation and apply only tint, making the tint settle into uneven areas.
- → It can help visually smooth unevenness and rough texture, creating a base that's smoother, so the product sits more evenly and thinly.
- → It can help visually smooth unevenness and rough texture, creating a base that's smoother, so the product sits more evenly and thinly.
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Type C: “oily but dehydrated” skin, where the surface shines but the inside feels tight and cracked.
- → Because its composition is similar to that of natural sebum, it can help regulate sebum production, supporting a more comfortable balance between hydration and oil, without creating so much excess shine.
- → Because its composition is similar to that of natural sebum, it can help regulate sebum production, supporting a more comfortable balance between hydration and oil, without creating so much excess shine.
The real secret of a clean girl isn't “applying lots of product”, but pinpointing exactly what your skin really needs and caring for that base from the root.
📢 (✅ Editor's pick) So, which squalane product should I use?
→ SNATURE AQUA SQUALANE SERUM(50ml) ⭐️ 5.0
This serum combines plant-derived squalane with 8 types of hyaluronic acid and betaine to help deliver intense hydration to the deeper layers of the skin. Witch hazel can help refine the look of enlarged pores and regulate excess sebum, while allantoin, panthenol and kelp extract can help soothe skin sensitised by external aggressors. 🌿
→ Is it suitable for sensitive skin too? 😶🌫️
According to the brand, it contains no surfactants or artificial fragrances, and all its ingredients have an EWG green rating, in addition to having passed low-irritation dermatological tests, so it can be a good option even for sensitive skin.
→ What do real Korean user reviews say? 🇰🇷
According to real-use reviews on Piyonna (a global beauty platform launched by a well-known Korean shopping platform), users highlight that it gives a feeling of deep hydration with light, non-sticky absorption, and that it's comfortable even for sensitive skin. They also mention that it works well under makeup without pilling, and that its good value for the amount of product encourages them to buy it again.
→ How should I use it to get good results? 💡
After cleansing and applying toner, use it at the serum step, before moisturiser. Apply 2 or 3 drops with the dropper in small dots on the cheeks, forehead and chin, and let it absorb by gently pressing your palms over your face. It can be used both morning and night.
→ Are there recommended squalane combinations by skin type? 📝
| Skin concerns | Ideal routine and combinations |
| Enlarged pores and excess sebum | toner → serum → light gel-cream moisturiser |
| Hidden dryness in combination skin | serum → finish with the 🔗Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream from the same line. |
| Sensitive or irritated skin | first calm with 🔗soothing toner pads → use the serum on its own, to minimise friction. |
‼️ Usage tip: store it in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, and avoid letting the dropper tip touch your skin directly. If redness, spots or itching appear during use, stop using it immediately and consult a dermatologist.
References
Kim & Karadeniz, 2012 — Biological importance and applications of squalene and squalane
🚨 Hold on! What precautions should you take when using squalane?
Squalane itself is considered a fairly gentle and safe ingredient compared with other oils. It has a low comedogenicity rating of 0 to 1 out of 5, and it's said that it can be combined without major problems with most active ingredients, such as retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA.
Even so, here are some points that experts often raise.
📌 If you're allergic to olive, check the ingredient's origin
Squalane is extracted from olive or sugarcane; olive-derived squalane may retain tiny traces of olive protein, so people with a severe olive allergy can more safely opt for sugarcane-derived products.
📌 When combining it with retinol, the order of application matters
Squalane isn't incompatible with retinol, but experts often recommend applying it as the last step, after retinol, to help ease the dryness and irritation retinol can cause. If squalane is applied first, its oily layer could make it harder for the retinol to absorb.
📌 If you're prone to Malassezia breakouts, check the full ingredient list
Squalane itself is usually classed as a Malassezia-safe ingredient, but the same product may contain other trigger ingredients, so if you're prone to this, it's worth checking the rest of the ingredient list as well.
References
Cleveland Clinic, “What Is Squalane?”
Biossance, “5 Rules Of Thumb For Layering Squalane + Retinol”
Once your skin is ready, it's time to add the Sun-Kissed makeup 🌅
Highlighter Sunkiss
BLUSHER
- BBIA LUCKY SHINE TINT
- ENTROPY Makeup Sun Stick Body Highlighter Sunkiss 1ea
- About Tone SKIN LAYER FIT BLUSHER
In the end, the key wasn't the makeup but the skin underneath. On a base hydrated from within thanks to squalane, all you need is a light tint and a warm-toned blush to get closer to that “sun-soaked” glow. ✨
At Piyonna, the beauty platform launched by Zigzag, the popular Korean shopping platform, you can compare real reviews from Korean users, usage tips and details for each product at a glance to find the one that best suits your skin.
Plus, from October, if you're a member, you can receive your order in just one week! 🚀
Put the heavy makeup aside and start building your own
“sun-kissed clean girl”. ☀️
Piyonna Global Beauty Supporters - Esencia · Juwon Kang
