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The Comedogenic Rating of 300+ Skincare Ingredients

June 15, 2017 by Tash 11 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my affiliate disclosure.

The Comedogenic Rating of 300+ Skincare Ingredients - photo of foundation makeup.

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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Non Comedogenic Rating of 300+ Skincare Ingredients

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Filed Under: Acne, Acne and Skincare, Beauty Tagged With: acne, comedogenic, non comedogenic

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About Tash

Tash Penman, Founder of Holistic Health Herbalist, has a background in herbal and essential oil studies at The Herbal Academy and Aromahead Institute. Holistichealthherbalist.com is a culmination of her passion and research regarding how herbal remedies can support our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Paula says

    July 7, 2018 at 5:37 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Tash says

      July 10, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Sharon Pagano says

    April 15, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    I don’t see any comedogenic rating next to the ingredients

    Reply
  3. Maitreyee says

    August 18, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Tash says

      August 20, 2017 at 10:55 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Shenah Wyne says

        September 14, 2017 at 3:09 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Tash says

          September 14, 2017 at 3:54 pm

          Hi Shenah!

          I just saw that the plugin stopped working! I’ve updated the article without it 🙂

          Reply

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About Tash

Tash Penman, Founder of Holistic Health Herbalist, has a background in herbal and essential oil studies at The Herbal Academy and Aromahead Institute. Holistichealthherbalist.com is a culmination of her passion and research regarding how herbal remedies can support our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Read More…

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