It can be staggeringly hard to navigate the beauty industry and the thousands upon thousands of ingredients used in skincare. What’s even harder, is trying to figure out if those ingredients have the potential to clog your skin and cause breakouts.
There are at least 150 comedogenic (pore-clogging and acne-causing) ingredients that are commonly found in skincare, including products like hair care, cosmetics, bath and shower care, lotions, body sprays, and a heck of a lot more. Basically, anything you buy at the store and put on your body in some way could have skin-clogging ingredients.
This is problematic for those of us already struggling with acne prone skin as it means we need to be extra diligent when choosing the products we use.
I have attempted to list as many common skincare ingredients as I could in order to help give you a leg up. Keep in mind that many ingredients below are also considered harmful (perhaps if I get around to it I will also add the EWG rating for each ingredient if I can, but I wanted to at least get this info out to you!) to the body in the sense that they may be considered carcinogenic, highly processed, etc.
However, today’s post is strictly about whether or not these ingredients will clog your pores.
The Comedogenic Rating of 300+ Skincare Ingredients
Finding out the comedogenic rating of skincare ingredients is a super painstaking and time-consuming process especially when so much of what’s out there can cause acne. I tend to gravitate towards a very simple skincare routine that uses very little ingredients so that I KNOW what the comedogenic rating is along with quality.
However, if you’re curious about what may be lurking in the beauty care products you buy at the store, I’ve got you covered!
Also, if you would like to know the comedogenic ratings of 80+ carrier oils and their respective benefits, check out my article on the topic HERE. I did NOT list any of those in the list below, so if you need info on carrier oils like sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and the like, just click that link.
What is a Comedogenic Rating and What Does it Mean?
In the simplest terms, a comedogenic rating is a scale from 0-5 that tells you the likelihood of an ingredient clogging your pores.
A rating of zero means that an ingredient will not clog your pores.
A rating of 1 means that there is little chance of an ingredient clogging your pores.
A rating of 2 means that it’s possible an ingredient can clog your pores.
A rating of 3 means that an ingredient is likely to clog your pores.
A rating of 4 means that an ingredient is very likely to clog your pores.
And a rating of 5 means that an ingredient will definitely clog your pores.
I generally go with ingredients that are rated 0-2 as they’re the least likely to give me issues. But again, keep in mind that a low rating doesn’t always constitute “healthiness” in the list below.
Also, if you have any ingredient suggestions you would like me to add, just let me know in the comments!
The Comedogenic rating of 300+ Skin Care Ingredients
A&D Additive
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Vitamin/Herb
A13-00356 (aka Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Acetone
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Acetylated Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Ahnfeltia concinna
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Akyposal SDS
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Alaria esculenta
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Algae Extract
Comedogenic rating – 5
What it is – Botanical
Algin
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Mineral
Allantoin
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservatives /Additives
Aloe Vera Gel
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Botanical
Amoniomethylpropinate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Anhydrous Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Aquarex ME
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Aquarex Methyl
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Arachidic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Arachidic Acid in Sunflower Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Ascophyllum Nodosum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Ascorbic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Vitamin/Herb
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Beeswax
Comedic Rating – 2
What it is – Wax
Behenic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 0-2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Behenyl Erucate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Behenyl Triglyceride
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Benzoic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Preservative/Additive
Beta Carotene
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Antioxidant
BHA
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Antioxidant
Black Kelp
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Black Walnut Extract
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What is it – Vitamin/Herb
Bladderwrack
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Blue Algae
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Blue Green Algae
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Brown Algae
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Butyl Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Butylene Glycol
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Calendula
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Botanical
Camphor
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Oil
Candelilla Wax
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Wax
Capric Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Caproic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Caprylic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Carrageenan
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Botanical
Carbomer 940
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Carboxymethylcellulose
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Carboxypropylcellulose
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Carmine
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1
What it is – Pigment
Carnauba Wax
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Wax
Ceresin Wax
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Wax
Ceteareth 20
Comedogenic Rating – 2 (especially if Cetearyl alcohol is in the same formula)
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Cetearyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 2 (especially when ceteareth 20 is in the same formula)
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20
Comedogenic Rating – 4 (when both present in the same formula)
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Cetyl Acetate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Cetyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Misc.
Cetyl Ester NF
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Cetyl Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Chamomile
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Botanical
Chamomile Extract
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Botanical
Chaulmoogra oil
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Oil
Chlorella
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Cholesterol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Sterols
Choleth 24
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Sterols
Chondroitin Sulfate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservatives/Additives
Chondrus Crispus
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Chromium Hydroxide
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1
What it is – Pigment
Coal Tar
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Cold Pressed Aloe
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Botanical
Colloidal Sulfur
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Mineral
Corallina Officinalis
Comedogenic Rating – Known to clog pores but rating unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Cotton Awws
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Oil
Crithmum Maritimum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Cyclomethicone
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Silicones
D&C Red #2
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #3
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #4
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #6
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #7
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #9
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #17
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #19
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #21
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #27
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #30
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #33
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #35 in Pentaerythritol Tetra Capra/Caprylate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #36
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #36 in Mineral Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #36 in PEG 400
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #36 in Propylene Glycol
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Pigment
D&C Red #40
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Pigment
Decyl Oleate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Di (2 Ethylhexyl) Succinate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Diisopropyl Adipate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Diisopropyl Dimerate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Dilsea Carnosa
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Dimethicone
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Silicones
Dioctyl Malate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Dioctyl Succinate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Dulse
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Ecklonia (all 9 species)
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Eicosanoic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Emulsifying Wax NF
Comedogenic Rating – 0-2
What it is – Wax
Enteromorpha compressa
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Ethoxylated Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Ethyl Ether
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Ethylene Glycol Monoether (EGME)
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Ethylene Glycol Monostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Ethylhexyl Pelargonate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Ethylparaben
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservative/Additive
Fragrance
Often used as an umbrella term for over 3,000 different skincare ingredients (40 of which are known to be comedogenic)
What it is – Misc.
Fucus Vesiculosus
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Gelidium cartilagineum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Glucose Glutamate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Glycereth-26
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Glycerin
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Glycerol Monostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Glyceryl Stearate NSE
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Glyceryl-3-Diisostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Glyceryl Tricapylo/Caprate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Haslea ostrearia
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Hectorite
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Misc.
Hexadecyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Hexylene Glycol
Comedogenic Rating – 0-2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Himanthalia elongate
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Hydantoin
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservatives/Additives
Hydrogenated Polyisobutane
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Oil
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Oil
Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Hydrolyzed lola implexa
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Iron Oxides
Comedogenic Rating – 0 (very common in cosmetics)
What it is – Pigment
Isocetyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Isocetyl Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Isodecyl Oleate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isopropyl Alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol)
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Isopropyl Isosterate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isopropyl Linolate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isopropyl Myristate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isopropyl Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isostearal Isostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Isostearic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Kaolin Clay
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Mineral/Thickener/Emulsifier
Kelp
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Knotted kelp
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Lamimaria ochroleuca extract
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Laminaria digitate
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Laminaria longicruris
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Laminaria saccharina
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Laneth-10
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Lanolic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1 (don’t use synthetic version)
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Lanolin Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 0-2
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Lanolin Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Lanolin Wax
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Wax
Laureth-23
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Laureth-4
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Lauric Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Lauryl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Lithium Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Misc.
Lithothamnium calcareum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Lola implexa
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Macrocystis pyrifera
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Macrocystis pyrifera (sea kelp) extract
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Macrocystis pyrifera Extract (Sea Kelp)
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Seaweed
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Magnesium Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Misc.
Marine Algae
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Mastocarpus stellatus
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Mineral Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 0-2
What it is – Oil
Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Monostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Myreth-3-Myristate
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Misc.
Myristic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Myristyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Myristyl Lactate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Fatty Acids & Derivative
Myristyl Myristate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
Nori
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Norwegian Kelp
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Octyl Dimethyl PABA
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Octyl Methoxycinnamate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Octyl Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Misc.
Octyl Salicylate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Octyl Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Octyldodecanol
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown but believed to clog pores
What it is – Misc.
Octyldodecyl Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Oleic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – Depends on the percentage. Can clog oily skin types
What it is – Fatty Acid
Oleth-3
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Oleth-3-Phosphate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Oleth-5
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Oleth-10
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Oleth-20
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Oleyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Oxybenzone
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Padina pavonica
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Palmaria palmate
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Palmitic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Panthenol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Vitamins/Herbs
Papain
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Vitamins/Herbs
PEG 8 Castor Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 40 Castor Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 78 Glyceryl Monococoate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 16 Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
PEG 17 Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
PEG 75 Lanolin
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
PEG 200 Dilaurate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
PEG 100 Distearate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 150 Distearate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 10 Soya Sterol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Sterols
PEG 5 Soya Sterol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Sterols
PEG 8 Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
PEG 20 Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PEG 100 Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Pentaerythritol Tetra Capra/Caprylate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Pentaerythritol Tetra Isostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Petrolatum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown, but does cause blackheads
What it is – Misc.
Petroleum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown, but does cause blackheads
What it is – Misc.
PG 40 Sorbitan Laurate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PG Caprylate/Caprate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PG Dicaprylate/Caprate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PG Dipelargonate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PG Laurate
Comedogenic rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PG Monostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Phenoxyethyl Paraben
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservatives/Additives
Phytantriol
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Sterols
Phytessence wakame
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Plankton
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown, but does clog pores
What it is – Seaweed
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 300)
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Misc.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400)
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Polypentaerythrital Tetralaurate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Polysorbate 20
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Polysorbate 80
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Porphyra
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Porphyridium cruentum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Potassium Chloride
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Mineral
PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Fatty Acid/Derivative
PPG 10 Cetyl Ether
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PPG 12 PEG 65 Lanolin Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
PPG 30 Acetyl Ester
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PPG 5 Ceteth 10 Phosphate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PPG 30 Cetyl Ester
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PPG 50 Cetyl Ester
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
PPG-2 Myristyl Propionate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Precipitated Sulfur
Comedogenic rating – 0
What it is – Mineral
Propylene Glycol Monostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Misc.
Propylparaben
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Preservative/Additive
PVP
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Red Algae
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Botanical
Rockweed
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Sargassum
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
SD Alcohol 40
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Sea Whip
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Seaweed
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Shark Liver Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Oil
Simethicone
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Silicones
Sodium Chloride (aka table salt)
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Mineral
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Sodium Hyaluronate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Comedogenic Rating – 5
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Sodium PCA
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Misc.
Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Solulan 16
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lanolins/Derivative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sorbitan Laurate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Sorbitan Oleate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Thickener/Emulsifier
Sorbitan Sesquinoleate
Comedogenic Rating – 0-1
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sorbitan Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sorbitol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Soya Sterol
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Sterols
Spirulina
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Squalene
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Oil
Steareth 2
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Steareth 10
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Steareth 20
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Steareth 100
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Stearic Acid
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Stearic Acid Tea
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Misc.
Stearyl Alcohol
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars
Stearyl Heptanoate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Sterol Esters
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Sucrose Distearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sucrose Stearate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sulfated Castor Oil (aka Turkey Red Oil)
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Oil
Sulfated Jojoba Oil
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Wax
Sulfosuccinate
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, Sodium Salt
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Surfactants/Detergents
Talc
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Mineral
Titanium Dioxide
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Pigment
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Vitamin/Herb
Tocopherol Acetate
Comedogenic Rating – 0-3
What it is – Vitamins/Herbs
Triacetin
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Tricapylo/Caprate
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars
Tridectyl Neopentanoate
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Lipids/Derivative
Triethanolamine
Comedogenic Rating – 2
What it is – Misc.
Ultramarine Violet
Comedogenic Rating – 0
What it is – Pigment
Ulva lactuca
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Undaria
Comedogenic Rating – Unknown
What it is – Seaweed
Vitamin A Palmitate
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Vitamins/Herbs
Wheat Germ Glyceride
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
Water-Soluble Sulfur
Comedogenic Rating – 3
What it is – Preservatives/Additives
Xylene
Comedogenic Rating – 4
What it is – Misc.
Zinc Stearate
Comedogenic rating – 0
What it is – Mineral
Zinc Oxide
Comedogenic Rating – 1
What it is – Mineral
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Hey! Great work, such list is something I was in need of for the loooongest time 🙂 I wonder on what sources did you based the rating for every ingredient?
Hi Paula!
Far too many to list, haha! I encourage you to check out my post on the comedogenic rating of 300+ skincare ingredients to learn more. Many carrier oils contain a lot of these constituents naturally is is one of the ways to help determine comedogenic rating.
I don’t see any comedogenic rating next to the ingredients
Hello! Can you please email me a working link to read and/or download a protected PDF for this list of Comedogenic Rating of 300+ Skincare Ingredients??? I’m really curious and it will help protect my oily, breakout prone skin a lot.
Waiting eagerly.
Thank You 🙂
Hi Maitreyee!
The list for this is made using a plugin that only works on this blog post. All you have to do is return to this blog post to view the list 🙂
So I am in the same place that maitreyee was. I see what you wrote about the plug-in but no matter what I do I can’t seem to find the list.
Hi Shenah!
I just saw that the plugin stopped working! I’ve updated the article without it 🙂