(UPDATED: MARCH 19, 2020: New products added + discontinued products removed.)

Did you know that there are more than 120+ ingredients commonly used in beauty products that can cause acne? Comedogenic (a.k.a. pore-clogging) products are extremely common and may be contributing to a huge percentage of your breakouts.

Product acne from comedogenic ingredients is so common that over 90% of new clients I see are using comedogenic products. And furthermore, our visit is often the first time they have even heard of comedogenic ingredients after years or decades of dealing with breakouts! 

It is important to know that the FDA does not regulate comedogenic ingredients in the beauty industry. Even products labeled as "non-comedogenic" or "acne-safe" may contain them. I encourage you to check all your products with my Official Comedogenic Ingredients List based on scientific research. See the image below to see if you are experiencing product acne triggered by comedogenic ingredients:

Why would beauty companies make products that cause clogged pores and acne? Most products are made for try general public, but not acne specifically. Not everyone is sensitive to comedogenic ingredients, but if you have acne then your chances are very high that you are! I cannot stress enough the importance here to always check every product you use with the list of comedogenic ingredients. Just one comedogenic ingredient can continue to trigger new bumps even while the rest of your products are acne-safe. Be vigilant about avoiding these to keep your skin clear!

1. Most natural makeup and sunscreens contain comedogenic oils. The large majority of natural makeups and SPFs are non-toxic (yay!) but can contain comedogenic ingredients in their formulations such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, soybean oil, and more (no! 😭). If you're seeking acne-safe makeup that is also natural, loose powders are the best option (lists with *asterisk below). 

2. Beware of untested carrier oils. Most carrier oils used today were not available or tested in the 1989 comedogenic study such as argan oil, borage oil, hemp oil, kukui nut oil, macadamia oil, meadowfoam seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil, tamanu oil, walnut oil. These can't be confirmed as acne-safe and I strongly recommend to avoid them. 

3. Sunflower, safflower, jojoba, and all essential oils are acne-safe. While most oils are comedogenic, jojoba, safflower, sunflower, and all essential oils were all found to be acne-safe. Feel free to use these ingredients without worry.

4. Download the comedogenic list. Check your own products and future purchases using our list complied from the scientific research on comedogenic ingredients: 

5. Shop Skin Nutritious for acne-safe, non-comedogenic skincare. My whole skincare line is designed specifically for acne-prone skin types to be 100% non-comedogenic and as non-toxic as possible. Created by me, a 12-year acne survivor who has worked with more than 1,300 clients to clear their skin!

ACNE-SAFE MAKEUP + SUNSCREEN RECOMMENDATIONS:

SPF - physical (face)

• Suntegrity Tinted (or untinted) SPF 30*
• MD SolorSciences Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum (tinted or non-tinted) SPF 30
• Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45
• Supergoop! CC Correct Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen
• La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
• Cane + Austin Prime + Protect Mattifying Primer SPF 50
• Illuminare Foundations SPF 20 (all are acne-safe) 
• Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup SPF 20
• Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 30 and SPF 55

SPF - chemical (face)

• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
• Sum Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

SPF (body)

• Suntegrity Body SPF 30*
• Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Foundations

• Young Blood Liquid Mineral Foundation
• Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation
• Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Foundation
• Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation
• Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
• Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
• Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
• Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
• Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation
• Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation SPF 20
• Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup SPF 20

Primers

• Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer
• Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer
• Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Start Instant Perfect Primer
• NYX's Pore Filler
• MILK Makeup Blur Stick
• Cane + Austin Prime + Protect Mattifying Primer SPF 50 
• BeautyBlender The Leveler Pore Minimzing Primer
• Guerlain L'Essential Pore Minimizer + Shine Control Primer

Loose Powders*

• W3LL People Bio Brightener Invisible Powder*
• W3LL People Altruist Foundation Powder*
• Bare Minerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15*
• Laura Mercier Mineral Powder*
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation*

Pressed Powders

• Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation
• Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation
• Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation
• Bare Minerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Setting Powder*

• RMS "Un" Powder (NOT “Un-Cover” which contains coconut oil)*
• Lily Lolo Finishing Powder*
• W3LL People Realist Invisible Setting Powder*
• Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder*

Highlighters

• Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
• Benefit Cosmetics Cookie Highlighter
• Bobby Brown Highlighting Powder
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
• Too Faced Diamond Light Highlighter

Bronzers

• Bare Minerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color Bronzer*
• Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color Bronzer*
• Bare Minerals Endless Summer Bronzer
• Color FX Monochromatic Bronzer Duo
• Lorac TANtalizer Buildable Bronzing Powder

Blush

• Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
• Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush
• Too Faced Papa Don’t Peach Blush
• Alima Pure Loose Mineral Blush*
• Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Collection

Concealer sticks

• Urban Decay Stay Naked Correction Concealer
• Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
• Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
• MILK makeup Blur Stick
• Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer
• Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

Shaving Gels

• Bulldog Natural Skincare Original Shave Gel
• King of Shaves Shave Gels (Antibacterial, Sensitive, or SuperCooling are the non-comedogenic versions)

Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash

• Desert Essence Fragrance-Free line

*NATURAL MAKEUP OPTIONS // Most natural makeups contain comedogenic ingredients in their formulas such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, soybean oil, and more. These products are great for non-toxicity, but bad for pore-clogging (a.k.a. product acne)! If you're seeking acne-safe makeup that is also natural, loose powders are the best option (lists with asterisk above). 

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? I am constantly working on improving and updating this list. If you think you have a non-comedogenic product to add, please email me at hello@skinutritious.com. The #acnecommunity will greatly appreciate your contributions! 

Elise May, CN + LE, is a holistic esthetician, acne nutritionist, and founder of Skin Nutritious. Since 2009, she has helped over 1,300 clients overcome acne with a blend of coaching, treatments, and holistic skincare. 

Work with Elise. 
• In San Francisco - book online here.
• Worldwide Clear Skin eConsults book here.