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 haircare, 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.
Today’s post though, is strictly about whether or not these ingredients will clog your skin.
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.
I hope you enjoy!
Also, if you have any ingredient suggestions you would like me to add, just let me know in the comments!
| Ingredient | Comedogenic Rating | What it is |
| A&D Additive | 2 | Vitamin/Herb |
| A13-00356 | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Acetone | 0 | Misc. |
| Acetylated Lanolin | 4 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol | 4 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Ahnfeltia concinna | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Akyposal SDS | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Alaria esculenta | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Algae Extract | 5 | Botanical |
| Algin | 4 | Mineral |
| Allantoin | 0 | Preservatives /Additives |
| Aloe Vera Gel | 0 | Botanical |
| Amoniomethylpropinate | 0 | Misc. |
| Anhydrous Lanolin | 0-1 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Aquarex ME | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Aquarex Methyl | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Archidic Acid | 1 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Archidic Acid in Sunflower Oil | 2 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Ascophyllum Nodosum | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Ascorbic Acid | 0 | Vitamin/Herb |
| Ascorbyl Palmitate | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Beeswax | 2 | Wax |
| Behenic Acid | 0-2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Behenyl Erucate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Behenyl Triglyceride | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Benzoic Acid | 2 | Preservative/Additive |
| Beta Carotene | 1 | Antioxidant |
| BHA | 2 | Antioxidant |
| Black Kelp | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Black Walnut Extract | 0 | Vitamin/Herb |
| Bladderwrack | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Blue Algae | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Blue Green Algae | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Brown Algae | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Butyl Stearate | 3 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Butylene Glycol | 1 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Calendula | 1 | Botanical |
| Camphor | 2 | Oil |
| Candelilla Wax | 1 | Wax |
| Capric Acid | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Caproic Acid | o | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Caprylic Acid | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Carageenan | 5 | Botanical |
| Carbomer 940 | 1 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Carboxymethylcellulose | 0 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Carboxypropylcellulose | 1 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Carmine | 0-1 | Pigment |
| Carnauba Wax | 1 | Wax |
| Ceresin Wax | 0 | Wax |
| Ceteareth 20 | 2 (especially if cetearyl alcohol is in the same formula) | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | 2 (especially when ceteareth 20 is in the same formula) | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20 | 4 when both present in the same formula | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Cetyl Acetate | 4 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 3-Feb | Misc. |
| Cetyl Ester NF | 1 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Cetyl Palmitate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Chamomile | 2 | Botanical |
| Chamomile Extract | 0 | Botanical |
| Chaulmoogra oil | 1 | Oil |
| Chlorella | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Cholesterol | 0 | Sterols |
| Choleth 24 | 0 | Sterols |
| Chondroitin Sulfate | 0 | Preservatives/Additives |
| Chondrus Crispus | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Chondrus Crispus Extract | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Chromium Hydroxide | 0-1 | Pigment |
| Coal Tar | Unknown | Misc. |
| Cold Pressed Aloe | 0 | Botanical |
| Colloidal Sulfur | 3 | Mineral |
| Corallina Officinalis | Known to clog pores but rating unknown | Seaweed |
| Cotton Awws | 3 | Oil |
| Crithmum Maritimum | Unknown | Misc. |
| Cyclomethicone | 0 | Silicones |
| D&C Red #2 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #3 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #4 | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #6 | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #7 | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #9 | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #17 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #19 | 2 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #21 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #27 | 2 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #30 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #33 | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #35 in Pentaerythrital Tetra Capra/Caprylate | 2 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #36 | 3 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #36 in Mineral Oil | 2 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #36 in PEG 400 | 0 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #36 in Propylene Glycol | 1 | Pigment |
| D&C Red #40 | 2 | Pigment |
| Decyl Oleate | 3 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Di (2 Ethylhexyl) Succinate | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Diisopropyl Adipate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Diisopropyl Dimerate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Dilsea Carnosa | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Dimethicone | 1 | Silicones |
| Dioctyl Malate | 3 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Dioctyl Succinate | 3 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Dulse | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Ecklonia (all 9 species) | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Eicosanoic Acid | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Emulsifying Wax NF | 0-2 | Wax |
| Enteromorpha compressa | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Ethoxylated Lanolin | 3 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Ethyl Ether | 0 | Misc. |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoether (EGME) | 0 | Misc. |
| Ethylene Glycol Monostearate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | 4 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Ethylhexyl Pelargonate | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Ethylparaben | 0 | Preservative/Additive |
| Fragrance | Often used as an umbrella term for over 3,000 different skincare ingredients (40 of which are known to be comedogenic) | Misc. |
| Fucus Vesiculosus | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Gelidium cartilagineum | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Glucose Glutamate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Glycereth-26 | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Glycerin | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Glycerol Monostearate | 1 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Glyceryl Stearate NSE | 1 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Glyceryl Stearate SE | 3 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Gylceryl-3-Diisostearate | 4 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Glyceryl Tricapylo/Caprate | 1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Haslea ostrearia | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Hectorite | 1 | Minc. |
| Hexadecyl Alcohol | 5 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Hexylene Glycol | 0-2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Himanthalia elongate | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Hydantoin | 0 | Preservatives/Additives |
| Hydrogenated Polyisobutane | 1 | Oil |
| Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil | 3 | Oil |
| Hydrolyzed Animal Protein | 0 | Misc. |
| Hydrolyzed lola implexa | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Hydroxypropyl Cellulose | 1 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Iron Oxides | 0 (very common in cosmetics) | Pigments |
| Isocetyl Alcohol | 4 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Isocetyl Stearate | 5 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Isodecyl Oleate | 4 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isopropyl Alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Isopropyl Isosterate | 5 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isopropyl Linolate | 5 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isopropyl Myristate | 5 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isopropyl Palmitate | 4 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isostearal Isostearate | 3 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Isostearic Acid | Unknown | Misc. |
| Isostearyl Neopentanoate | 3 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Kaolin Clay | 0 | Mineral/Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Kelp | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Knotted kelp | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Lamimaria ochroleuca extract | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Laminaria digitata | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Laminaria longicruris | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Laminaria saccharina | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Laneth-10 | 2 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Lanolic Acid | Unknown | Misc. |
| Lanolin | 0-1 (don;t use synthetic version) | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Lanolin Alcohol | 0-2 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Lanolin Oil | 0-1 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Lanolin Wax | 1 | Wax |
| Laureth-23 | 3 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Laureth-4 | 5 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Lauric Acid | 4 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Lauryl Alcohol | Unknown | Misc. |
| Lithium Stearate | 1 | Misc. |
| Lithothamnium calcareum | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Lola implexa | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Macrocystis pyrifera | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Macrocystis pyrifera (sea kelp) extract | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Macrocystis pyrifera Extract (Sea Kelp) | 3 | Seaweed |
| Magnesium Aluminum Silicate | 0 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Magnesium Stearate | 1 | Misc. |
| Marine Algae | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Mastocarpus stellatus | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Mineral Oil | 0-2 | Oil |
| Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Monostearate | 4 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Myreth-3-Myristate | Unknown | Misc. |
| Myristic Acid | 3 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Myristyl Alcohol | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Myristyl Lactate | 4 | Fatty Acids & Derivatives |
| Myristyl Myristate | 5 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| Nori | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Norwegian Kelp | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Octyl Dimethyl PABA | 0 | Misc. |
| Octyl Methoxycinnamate | 0 | Misc. |
| Octyl Palmitate | 4 | Misc. |
| Octyl Salicylate | 0 | Misc |
| Octyl Stearate | 5 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Octyldodecanol | Unknown but believed to clog pores | Misc. |
| Octyldodecyl Stearate | 0 | Misc. |
| Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Oleic Acid | Depends on percentage. Can clog oily skin types. | Fatty Acid |
| Oleth-3 | 5 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Oleth-3-Phosphate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Oleth-5 | 3 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Oleth-10 | 2 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Oleth-20 | 1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Oleyl Alcohol | 4 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Oxybenzone | 0 | Misc. |
| Padina pavonica | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Palmaria palmate | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Palmitic Acid | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Panthenol | 0 | Vitamins/Herbs |
| Papain | 0 | Vitamins/Herbs |
| PEG 8 Castor Oil | 1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 40 Castor Oil | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 78 Gylceryl Monococoate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 16 Lanolin | 4 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| PEG 17 Lanolin | 0 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| PEG 75 Lanolin | 3 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| PEG 200 Dilaurate | 3 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| PEG 100 Distearate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 150 Distearate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 10 Soya Sterol | 0 | Sterols |
| PEG 5 Soya Sterol | 0 | Sterols |
| PEG 8 Stearate | 3 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| PEG 20 Stearate | 1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PEG 100 Stearate | 1 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Pentaerythrital Tetra Capra/Caprylate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Pentaerythrital Tetra Isostearate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Petrolatum | Unknown but does cause blackheads | Misc. |
| Petroleum | Unknown but does cause blackheads | Misc. |
| PG 40 Sorbitan Laurate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PG Caprylate/Caprate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PG Dicaprylate/Caprate | 1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PG Dipelargonate | 2 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PG Laurate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PG Monostearate | 3 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Phenoxyethyl Paraben | 0 | Preservatives/Additives |
| Phytantriol | 2 | Sterols |
| Phytessence wakame | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Plankton | Unknown but does clog pores | Seaweed |
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 300) | 1 | Misc. |
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400) | 4 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate | 4 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Polypentaerythrital Tetralaurate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Polysorbate 20 | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Polysorbate 80 | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Porphyra | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Porphyridium cruentum | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Potassium Chloride | 5 | Mineral |
| PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate | 4 | Fatty Acid/Derivative |
| PPG 10 Cetyl Ether | 3 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PPG 12 PEG 65 Lanolin Oil | 2 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| PPG 30 Acetyl Ester | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PPG 5 Ceteth 10 Phosphate | 4 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PPG 30 Cetyl Ester | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PPG 50 Cetyl Ester | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| PPG-2 Myristyl Propionate | 5 | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Precipitated Sulfur | 0 | Mineral |
| Propylene Glycol Monostearate | 4 | Misc. |
| Propylparaben | 0 | Preservative/Additive |
| PVP | 0 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Red Algea | 5 | Botanical |
| Rockweed | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Sargassum | Unknown | Seaweed |
| SD Alcohol 40 | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Sea Whip | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Seaweed | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Shark Liver Oil | 3 | Oil |
| Simethicone | 1 | Silicones |
| Sodium Chloride (aka table salt) | 5 | Mineral |
| Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | 0 | Misc. |
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate | 3 | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | 5 | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Sodium PCA | 0 | Misc. |
| Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Solulan 16 | 4 | Lanolins/Derivative |
| Sorbitan Isostearate | 2-Jan | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sorbitan Laurate | 1 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Sorbitan Oleate | 3 | Thickener/Emulsifier |
| Sorbitan Sesquinoleate | 0-1 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sorbitan Stearate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sorbitol | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Soya Sterol | 0 | Sterols |
| Spirulina | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Squalene | 1 | Oil |
| Steareth 2 | 2 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Steareth 10 | 4 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Steareth 20 | 2 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Steareth 100 | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Stearic Acid | 2 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Stearic Acid Tea | 3 | Misc. |
| Stearyl Alcohol | 2 | Alcohols/Esters/Ethers/Sugars |
| Stearyl Heptanoate | 4 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Sterol Esters | 0 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Sucrose Distearate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sucrose Stearate | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sulfated Castor Oil (aka Turkey Red Oil) | 3 | Oil |
| Sulfated Jojoba Oil | 3 | Wax |
| Sulfosuccinate | 4 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, Sodium Salt | Unknown | Surfactants/Detergents |
| Talc | 1 | Mineral |
| Titanium Dioxide | 0 | Pigment |
| Tocopherol (Vitamin E) | 2 | Vitamin/Herb |
| Tocopherol Acetate | 0-3 | Vitamins/Herbs |
| Triacetin | 0 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Tricapylo/Caprate | 1 | Alcohol, Esters, Ethers, & Sugars |
| Tridectyl Neopentanoate | 0 | Lipids/Derivative |
| Triethanolamine | 2 | Misc. |
| Ultramarine Violet | 0 | Pigment |
| Ulva lactuca | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Undaria | Unknown | Seaweed |
| Vitamin A Palmitate | 3-Jan | Vitamins/Herbs |
| Wheat Germ Glyceride | 3 | Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars |
| Water-Soluble Sulfur | 3 | Preservatives/Additives |
| Xylene | 4 | Misc. |
| Zinc Stearate | 0 | Mineral |
| Zinc Oxide | 1 | Mineral |
You may also enjoy reading:
Essential Oils for Hormonal Acne
Thyme Serum for Acne Free Skin
12 Ways to Treat Acne Inside and Out
3 Steps to Improve your Female Hormonal Acne – Anyone Can do It!
6 Skincare Tips That Cleared My Acne Naturally
Hello friends! I teach you how to support your well-being with DIY herbal remedies, essential oils, and all natural skin care.
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 🙂