Squalene market seen reaching $241.6 million by 2030

The global squalene market is projected to nearly double by 2030 as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals drive demand for the ingredient’s moisturizing and anti-aging uses. Allied Market Research says the shift toward natural and sustainable inputs is also opening new growth areas across animal, vegetable and synthetic sources.

Why it matters: - The squalene market is expanding because cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements continue to use the ingredient for moisturizing, anti-aging and other health-related applications. - The market’s growth also reflects a wider shift toward natural and sustainable ingredients, which is reshaping sourcing decisions and product development. - The global market is projected to reach $241.6 million by 2030, up from $114.5 million in 2020.

What happened: - Allied Market Research published a new report on the global squalene market on June 5, 2026. - The report forecasts 7.8% compound annual growth from 2021 to 2030. - The report covers squalene sourced from animal, vegetable and synthetic biotechnology inputs across cosmetics, nutraceuticals and healthcare uses. - A sample report is available here. - The full market summary is available here.

The details: - Squalene is a colorless, oily triterpene hydrocarbon found in animals and plants, including sharks, olives and sugarcane. - Allied Market Research identified the cosmetics industry, the rising value of dietary supplements and squalene’s use as a chemo-preventive agent as key growth drivers. - Stringent government rules and regulations are a restraint on market growth. - Squalene’s use as an antioxidant and in immune system support is creating additional opportunities. - Amyris, Arista Industries, Empresa Figueirense De Pesca, Gracefruit, Kshimoto Special Liver Oil, New Zealand Green Health, Nucelis, Otto Chemie, Seadragon Marine Oils and Sophim Iberia are among the named market players. - The animal segment held more than two-thirds of global market revenue in 2020 and is projected to keep the largest share through 2030. - The vegetable segment is expected to post the fastest growth among sources, with a 9.5% CAGR from 2021 to 2030. - The cosmetics segment held more than four-fifths of global revenue in 2020 and is expected to remain the largest end-use market through 2030. - The healthcare segment is forecast to grow the fastest among end uses, with an 8.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2030. - Europe held nearly two-fifths of global revenue in 2020 and is expected to remain the leading region by 2030. - Asia-Pacific is projected to grow the fastest by region, with an 8.7% CAGR during the forecast period.

Between the lines: - The market is moving away from animal-based inputs in some areas as producers respond to government restrictions and demand for plant-based alternatives. - Cosmetics remains the core revenue engine, but healthcare and nutraceutical uses appear to be expanding the market’s long-term upside. - Asia-Pacific’s faster growth suggests manufacturing economics may increasingly matter as much as demand growth in mature regions.

What’s next: - Allied Market Research expects demand to continue building through 2030 as ingredient suppliers expand extraction methods and broaden applications. - Producers that can scale vegetable or synthetic biotechnology sources may gain an advantage if regulatory pressure on animal-based inputs increases. - Regional growth in Asia-Pacific could draw more investment in low-cost production capacity.

The bottom line: - Squalene is shifting from a niche specialty ingredient into a broader global market, with cosmetics still dominant and plant-based supply emerging as the fastest-growing source.