The ultimate comedogenic ingredients list: What to avoid for clear skin

In an era when consumers are curious about everything they put on their bodies, one must also be aware of what they apply to their skin. Even for those morning and evening skincare regimes, one must master a new term called “comedogenic.”

Simply put, they are ingredients that clog your pores, leading to unwelcome breakouts. But how do you identify the comedogenic ingredients when various cosmetic companies embellish their claims?

If such questions have been on your mind, join us in this piece to get a clear overview.

What does "comedogenic" mean?

You will frequently encounter a non-comedogenic term when reading the labels of various skincare products. But what does that mean? Is it just a fancy term?

To clear your doubts, any ingredient that causes acne is called comedogenic. They worsen acne-prone skin by clogging your pores. If you deal with regular outbreaks, you must steer far away from the ingredients that clog pores. These include lanolin, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and shea butter.

Contrarily, embracing non-comedogenic ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, or vitamin C can do wonders for your skin as they are active ingredients.

Although the FDA does not regulate the usage of the term “non-comedogenic,” this means that there is no standard definition. However, with rigorous testing, a study published in 2013 vouches for the comedogenic potential of some ingredients used in cosmetics.

That being said, in theory, people who are prone to breakouts may see results after using non-comedogenic products as they have lower risks of worsening the condition.

List of comedogenic ingredients

For your convenience, we have crafted a comedogenic ingredients list that you can refer to when looking up these ingredients in your skincare products. Go through the list and check whether you have been using anything fuelling your skin condition.

Here are what the numbers in the chart mentioned below mean.

0 - Will Not Clog Your Pores

1 - Low Probability of Clogging Pores

2 - Moderately Low Probability of Clogging Pores

3 - Moderate Chance of Clogging Pores

4 - Fairly High Chance

5 - High probability it will Clog your Pores

1-2: Caution | 3-5: Avoid

Cosmetic

Ingredient

Comedogenic

Rating

Ingredient

Composition

Apricot Oil

2/5

66% oleic acid & 29% linoleic acid

Algae Extract

5/5 - 4 irritant

botanical | seaweed

Aloe Butter

5/5

butter

Avocado Butter

5/5

butter

Babassu Butter

5/5

butter

Broccoli Butter

5/5

butter

Green Tea Butter

5/5

butter

Hemp Seed Butter

5/5

butter

Kokum Butter

5/5

butter

Chamomile Butter

5/5

butter

Carrot Butter

5/5

butter

Arachidonic Acid in Sunflower Oil

2/5

fatty acids

Eicosanoic Acid

2/5

fatty acids & their derivatives

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

4/5

fatty acids & their derivatives

Cetyl Acetate

4/5 - 2 irritant

fatty acids & their derivatives

Flaxseed Oil (Linseed)

4/5

high in alpha-linolenic acid

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)

2/5

high in eicosenoic acid

Coconut Oil

5/5

high in lauric acid

Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa Seed Oil)

4/5

high in linoleic acid, moderate oleic

Cranberry Oil (Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil)

3/5

high in linoleic moderate in oleic & linolenic acid

Almond Oil/Sweet Almond Oil

2/5

high in oleic Acid

Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil)

4-5/5

high in oleic acid

Apricot Seed Oil

2/5

high in oleic acid

Acai Berry Oil

4-5/5

high in oleic acid & moderate in linoleic acid

Andiroba Seed Oil

2/5

high in oleic acid, moderate in linoleic acid

Baobab Oil

4-5/5

high in oleic acid, moderate linoleic

Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis Seed Oil)

2/5

high in ricinoleic acid

Acetylated Lanolin

4/5

lanolins

Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol

4/5 - 2 irritant

lanolins

Anhydrous lanolin

5/5

lanolins

Chullu (Wild Apricot) Seed Oil

5/5

oils

Amaranth Oil

3/5

oils

Isostearic Acid

5/5

other

Lanolic Acid

5/5

other

Active Soil

4/5

questionable minerals

Chlorella

3/5

seaweed

Ahnfeltia Concinna

3/5

seaweed

Alaria Esculenta

3/5

seaweed

Algae

3/5

seaweed

Algin (Algae)

4/5

seaweed

Kelp

3/5

seaweeds

A & D Additive

2/5

vitamins & herbs

Squalene

3/5

oils

Spirulina

3/5

seaweeds

Stearic Acid

2-3/5

fatty acids & their derivatives

Sunflower Butter

5/5

butter

Tocopherol (sunflower non-com)

0-3/5 0-3 irritant

vitamins & herbs

Vitamin A Palmitate

3/5 - 1-3 irritant

vitamins & herbs

Wakame

3/5

seaweed

Water-Soluble Sulfur

3/5

preservatives & additives

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

3/5 - 2 irritant

surfactants & detergents

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

5/5 - 2 irritant

surfactants & detergents

Sorbitan Isostearate

2/5

alcohols, sugars & their derivatives

Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa Canina Seed Oil)

2/5 - 1 irritant

high in linoleic acid

Rice Bran Oil (Oryza Sativa Bran Oil)

5/5

high in oleic & linoleic acid

PEG 8 Castor Oil

2/5 - 1 irritant

alcohols, sugars & their derivatives

Wheat germ oil

5/5 - 2 irritant

high in linolenic acid

Also read: What is Wheat Germ Oil?

Can non-comedogenic products still cause breakouts?

In short, the answer is yes, they can in some circumstances.

As the FDA or other trustworthy organisations do not regulate the term, some products might contain clogged pores ingredients despite their tall claims.

However, The Pink Foundry has various reliable, non-comedogenic products that benefit your skin condition. Non-comedogenic is not a term for us; it is everything! Our entire line is based on ingredients that will keep your pores clean and improve your skin's general health. Check out our Dewy Hydrating Hybrid Sunscreen SPF 50+ or Waterlight Gel Moisturiser 72 Hour Hydration. Do not take it from us; check out the testimonials on the website and feel the difference yourself by embracing these products!

Apart from this, any particle trapped in your pores can cause a breakout. It may be the dead skin cells or dirt and grime. Additionally, people with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome might get hormonal acne. Therefore, anyone can get breakouts even if they are using non-comedogenic products.

Also read: Non Comedogenic Meaning and Reason to Buy Non Comedogenic Skin Care Products

Conclusion

Reaching out for dermatologically tested non-comedogenic products can make all the difference in your skin. So, switch to products that are safe and effective. Although the dermatologically tested products are safe, we recommend a patch test before application.

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