Comedogenic Ingredients • Official Skin Nutritious List

(Updated: July 25, 2023)

If you have acne, chances are you've heard the word "comedogenic" before. But few acne-prone people know what the word means, what the ingredients are, or how to check their own products for acne safety.

What is shocking to me as an acne practitioner is that a huge amount of skincare and makeup products I check for my clients trigger product acne. And that nearly none of my clients know about or how to check for themselves. I want this post to change that.

Comedogenic means "pore-clogging" ingredients. There are over 120+ of these comedogenic ingredients scientifically shown to trigger product acne (a.k.a. acne cosmetica). Though these cause massive problems for breakout-prone skin, the majority of people with acne are unknowningly using these pore-cloggers on a daily basis.   

Product acne is such a common problem in my clinic that nearly 100% of my new clients are using comedogenic products without knowing it. I cannot stress enough the importance to always check every product you use for comedogenic ingredients. Even a single comedogenic ingredient or one-time use cloggy product (i.e. a mask or a friend's sunscreen) can trigger these little breakouts if you're susceptible to them. Be vigilant about avoiding these to keep your skin clear!

Take a look here at the difference between product acne (from comedogenic ingredients) and hormonal acne:  

Comedogenic ingredients will only cause tiny little white bumps on the skin. They do not cause deeper, painful hormonal acne (i.e. red, cystic, inflamed). It's important to know which kind of acne you have so you know how to resolve it. If you have product acne, please read on!

COMEDOGENIC TIPS

• Check your products against the ingredients listed below. The ingredients listed here are from scientific research only. Mainly from Dr. Fulton's 1989 scientific study "Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skincare products" and input from Rebecca Gadburry, cosmetic chemistry teacher at UCLA. Dr. Fulton's groundbreaking study is the only comprehensive comedogenic ingredient study done to date. Thank you, late Dr. Fulton!

You may find other online sites with different comedogenic ingredients and ratings, but the sourcing of the information is important to check and often not supplied (if you find one with sources and footnotes on research, please send it to me to check out!). Here I have stuck with the science for this official list. And in my 10+ years of client work, this list is extremely reliable and trustworthy.

• Remember that natural skincare can (and often does) contain comedogenic ingredients. Most natural products contain comedogenic oils  such as coconut oil, almond oil, soybean oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and more. Check the list below to make sure your products are comedogenic-free. 

• Not everyone breaks out from comedogenic ingredients. People who are not acne-sensitive may not be affected by comedogenic ingredients at all. Sensitivity varies, which is why some people do not breakout from these ingredients and some do. Acne-prone skintypes are typically highly sensitive, which may be in part due to their naturally larger pore size.

• Beware of untested carrier oils. Most carrier oils used today were not tested in this 1989 study such as argan oil, borage oil, hemp oil, macadamia oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil, tamanu oil, walnut oil. These cannot be confirmed as acne-safe and most oils that were tested came up as comedogenic. I strongly recommend to avoid them. 

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

• Download a printable list of the Official Skin Nutritious Comedogenic Ingredients, so you can analyze your favorite products on the go. Click here to download for free!

• Shop Skin Nutritious for non-comedogenic, acne-safe skincare. I created my skincare line because I found it very difficult to find acne-fighting products that were also non-toxic. If you want clear skin results in the most natural way possible, these products were 100% made for you. And check out my Makeup for Acne List for pre-screened non-comedogenic cosmetic products too.

COMEDOGENIC INGREDIENTS

In love, health, and community,

Elise May, CN + LE, is a holistic esthetician, acne nutritionist, and founder of Skin Nutritious. Since 2011, she has helped over 1,600 clients overcome acne with a unique blend of coaching, treatments, and holistic skincare. 

Work with Elise at her San Francisco acne clinic or virtually worldwide! View services + book online here.

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*Denotes 0-2 comedogenicity depending on source of raw material. 

References:

Fulton, James E., Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skincare products. Society of Cosmetic Chemists, 1989.

“Introduction to Skin and Biochemistry for Cosmetic Science.” UCLA, April 2015. Gadberry, Rebecca James.

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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.