(UPDATED: JULY 7, 2021)

 

Did you know that there are more than 120+ ingredients commonly used in beauty products that can actually cause acne?  These acne triggers are called "comedogenic ingredients" and they are responsible for the appearance of product acne (see image below). 

Comedogenic ingredients are profoundly common in the skincare and makeup market. So common in fact that roughly 90% of new clients I meet are using comedogenic skincare and/or makeup products and they don't even know it. 

 

Here are some important things to know about comedogenic ingredients and product acne:

 

1. Assume that a product is comedogenic until you can research and see that it is not. In my initial client sessions, I check every skincare and makeup product they use for comedogenic ingredients. What I have seen is that nearly every brand contains comedogenic products in their line (small, big, non-toxic, vegan, "natural", "clean", even sometimes acne lines). Most skincare is not made specifically for acne-prone skin types, but for the general public. And I am constantly surprised at some of the products "made for acne" that contain these ingredients. While it is time consuming to check products, it is far more time consuming to clear the skin from product acne. 

2. The vast majority of natural skincare + makeup products contain comedogenic oils that can trigger product acne. The large majority of natural makeups and SPFs are non-toxic (yay!). But they can contain comedogenic ingredients in their formulations such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, soybean oil, and more (no! 😭). There are some natural leaning products that are acne-safe. Check my list of pre-screened of Makeup for Acne below details. And this is also why I created my line, to hold both the natural element of skincare with the acne fighting approach.

3. Products listed as "noncomedogenic" may contain comedogenic ingredients. The FDA does not regulate comedogenic ingredients in the beauty industry. I always recommend to check all products used on acne sensitive areas for comedogenic ingredients (list linked below). 

4. 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.

5. Download the Skin Nutritious Official Comedogenic List. Check your own products and future purchases using our list complied from the scientific research on comedogenic ingredients: 

6. 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 40
• Supergoop! CC Correct Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen
• Tizo3 Face Primer Tinted SPF 40
• La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
• Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
• Cane + Austin Prime + Protect Mattifying Primer SPF 50
• EltaMD UV Elements Broad Spectrum SPF 44
• Illuminare Foundations SPF 20 (all are acne-safe) 
• Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup SPF 20
• Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 30 and SPF 55
• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide SPF 50

 

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
• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide 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
• Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation (NOT the Hydrating version)
• Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation
• Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation SPF 20
• Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup SPF 20
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
• Mineral Fusion Illuminating Beauty Balm* (NOT the perfecting formula)
• Thrive Cosmetics Buildable Blur CC Cream*

 

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*
• Alima Pure Satin Matte 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*
• Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation*

 

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*
• Mineral Fusion 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
• Mineral Fusion Illuminating Powder*

 

Bronzers

• Bare Minerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color Bronzer*
• Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color Bronzer*
• Bare Minerals Endless Summer Bronzer*
• Bare Minerals Gradual Tan Bronzer*
• Color FX Monochromatic Bronzer Duo
• Lorac TANtalizer Buildable Bronzing Powder
• Mineral Fusion Bronzer*
• Mineral Fusion Blush/Bronzer Duo*
• Indeed Nanobronze Bronzing Drops

 

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
• Mineral Fusion Blush*
• Mineral Fusion Blush/Bronzer Duo*

 

Concealers

• Urban Decay Stay Naked Correction Concealer
• Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer
• Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer
• Cover FX Power Play Concealer
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
• YSL Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
• YSL All Hours Full Coverage Concealer
• Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
• Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
• MILK makeup Blur Stick
• Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer
• Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Green Concealer
• Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer
• Sephora Collection Clear and Cover Acne Treatment Cream with 2% Salicylic Acid
• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full Coverage Concealer
• Bare Minerals Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

  

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

 

Skincare • Cleansers, Exfoliants, Serums, Moisturizers, and more...

• Skin Nutritious holistic acne skincare

 

*NATURAL MAKEUP OPTIONS // Products with * are more "naturally inclined". Most natural makeups contain comedogenic ingredients in their formulas such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, soybean oil, and more. These products can cause a lot of clogged pores in acne sensitive skin types (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! 

 

In love, health, and community,

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 unique blend of coaching, treatments, and holistic skincare. 

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

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 The entire contents of this website are intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Elise May, Skin Nutritious, and her community. Skin Nutritious encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.