Master Comedogenic Ingredient List for Acne Prone and Congestion Prone Skin
If you are prone to breakouts, blackheads or stubborn congestion, your products matter as much as your hormones and habits. Some ingredients are more likely to clog pores in certain skin types. This is why comedogenicity ratings exist: they give a general idea of how likely an ingredient is to contribute to clogged pores.
The key word is general. Comedogenic ratings are a guide, not a diagnosis. Real skin is more complicated than a single number.
What Does “Comedogenic” Actually Mean
A comedone is a clogged pore. It can be open at the surface, which shows as a blackhead, or closed at the surface, which looks like a small white bump under the skin.
An ingredient is called comedogenic if it has a higher likelihood of contributing to these clogged pores in test settings. Most ratings come from older studies that used ingredients at high percentages. In real products, ingredients are used in blends, at much lower levels and in different textures.
This list is a tool, not a verdict. We use it together with your skin history, your routine and how your skin behaves over time. Reach out to me for a Virtual Acne Skin Consult to get a personalized acne treatment plan based on my 20+ years of experience as an esthetician!
How To Use This Comedogenic Ingredient List
Use this list to spot patterns. It is not about fear. It is about being informed and strategic.
- Look for repeat offenders. If you see the same ingredient in several products that seem to trigger bumps or breakouts, it is worth flagging.
- Consider the product type. A richer ingredient in a heavy night cream is more likely to be a problem than a tiny amount in a light serum or a rinse off cleanser.
- Look at position on the label. Ingredients near the top of the list are present at higher levels. Near the bottom, usually lower levels.
- Remember that irritation and allergy are different from clogging. Redness or burning is irritation or sensitivity. Tiny closed bumps and stubborn congestion are more about pore clogging.
- Your skin is the final decision maker. If a product looks “perfect” on paper but your skin hates it, we trust your skin.
Master Comedogenic Ingredient List (Higher Risk 3–5)
These ingredients are considered comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores and lead to breakouts—especially in acne-prone skin.
| Ingredient (INCI / Common Name) | Also Known As / Notes | Typical Function | Approx. Comedogenic Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylated Lanolin | Lanolin derivative | Emollient | 4–5 (high) |
| Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol | Lanolin based alcohol | Emollient | 5 (high) |
| Algae Extract | Various algae or seaweed extracts | Thickener, humectant | 4–5 (high) |
| Cocoa Butter | Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter | Occlusive emollient | 4 (high) |
| Coconut Oil | Cocos Nucifera Oil | Emollient, occlusive | 4 (high) |
| Coconut Butter | Hydrogenated Coconut Oil | Emollient | 4 (high) |
| Cottonseed Oil | Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil | Emollient | 3–4 (high) |
| Decyl Oleate | Decyl Oleate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | Octyl Palmitate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Glyceryl 3 Diisostearate | Glyceryl Diisostearate | Emollient | 4 (high) |
| Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil | Hydrogenated plant oils | Occlusive emollient | 3–4 (high) |
| Isocetyl Alcohol | Hexadecanol derivatives | Fatty alcohol emollient | 4 (high) |
| Isocetyl Stearate | Isocetyl Stearate | Emollient ester | 5 (high) |
| Isopropyl Isostearate | Isopropyl Isostearate | Emollient ester | 5 (high) |
| Isopropyl Linoleate | Isopropyl Linoleate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Isopropyl Myristate | Isopropyl Myristate | Slip agent, emollient | 5 (high) |
| Isopropyl Palmitate | Isopropyl Palmitate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Isopropyl Oleate | Isopropyl Oleate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Isostearyl Isostearate | Isostearyl Isostearate | Emollient ester | 5 (high) |
| Isostearyl Neopentanoate | Isostearyl Neopentanoate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Isostearyl Palmitate | Isostearyl Palmitate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Laureth-4 | Laureth-4 | Surfactant or emulsifier | 5 (high) |
| Lauric Acid | Lauric Acid | Fatty acid | 4 (high) |
| Linseed Oil | Flaxseed Oil | Emollient | 4 (high) |
| Mink Oil | Mink Oil | Emollient | 3–5 (high) |
| Myristic Acid | Myristic Acid | Fatty acid | 3 (high) |
| Myristyl Lactate | Myristyl Lactate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Myristyl Myristate | Myristyl Myristate | Emollient ester | 5 (high) |
| Myristyl Propionate | Myristyl Propionate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Octyl Palmitate | Octyl Palmitate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| Octyl Stearate | Octyl Stearate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Oleth-3 | Oleth-3 | Surfactant or emulsifier | 5 (high) |
| Oleyl Alcohol | Oleyl Alcohol | Fatty alcohol | 4 (high) |
| Oleyl Oleate | Oleyl Oleate | Emollient ester | 4 (high) |
| PEG-16 Lanolin | PEG-16 Lanolin | Lanolin based emollient | 4 (high) |
| PPG-2 Myristyl Propionate | PPG-2 Myristyl Propionate | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate | Various PG esters | Emollient ester | 3 (high) |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | SLS; more irritant than comedogenic | Anionic surfactant | 3 (high / irritant) |
| Wheat Germ Oil | Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil | Emollient | 5 (high) |
| Lanolin | Lanolin | Emollient, occlusive | 3–4 (high) |
| Lanolin Oil | Lanolin Oil | Emollient | 3–4 (high) |
| Algin / Alginic Acid | Seaweed derived | Thickener | 3–4 (high) |
| Carrageenan | Chondrus Crispus Extract | Thickener | 3 (high) |
| Certain D&C Red Pigments | D&C Red 17, 19, 21, 27, 30, 36 | Colorants in makeup | 3–5 (high) |
Moderate Risk Ingredients (2–3)
These ingredients are not an automatic problem. They sit in a more “depends on the formula and your skin” zone. For some clients, they are perfectly fine. For more acne prone or very clog prone skin, we watch them more closely, especially in rich leave on products.
| Ingredient | Also Known As / Notes | Typical Function | Approx. Comedogenic Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond Oil | Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil | Emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Avocado Oil | Persea Gratissima Oil | Emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Beeswax | Cera Alba | Thickener, occlusive | 2 (moderate) |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | Cetearyl Alcohol | Fatty alcohol emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Cetyl Acetate | Cetyl Acetate | Emollient ester | 2 (moderate) |
| Cetyl Alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol | Fatty alcohol emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Glyceryl Stearate | Glyceryl Stearate | Emulsifier, emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Glyceryl Stearate SE | Glyceryl Stearate SE | Emulsifier, emollient | 2–3 (moderate) |
| Laureth-7 | Laureth-7 | Surfactant or emulsifier | 3 (moderate) |
| Olive Oil | Olea Europaea Fruit Oil | Emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Peanut Oil | Arachis Hypogaea Oil | Emollient | 2 (moderate) |
| Sesame Oil | Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil | Emollient | 2–3 (moderate) |
| Soya (Soybean) Oil | Glycine Soja Oil | Emollient | 2–3 (moderate) |
| Stearic Acid | Stearic Acid | Fatty acid | 2 (moderate) |
| Tocopherol | Vitamin E | Antioxidant | 2 (moderate) |
| Tocopheryl Acetate | Vitamin E Acetate | Antioxidant | 2–3 (moderate) |
A Reality Check About Comedogenic Ratings
A few important points so this stays grounded and not fear based:
- Many classic comedogenicity tests were done on animal ears or on human backs. Your face is different.
- Concentration matters. An ingredient at 0.5 percent behaves differently than at 50 percent.
- Texture and formula style matter. Light gels or emulsions often behave better than very heavy balms.
- Your whole routine matters. If every step is rich and occlusive, your risk is higher than if only one product is richer.
This is why I always pair ingredient education with a virtual skin consultation. We look at your skin, your lifestyle and your products together. Clients in the Los Gatos local area can also do a consult in person, if preferred! Please contact me to set up your virtual or in-person appointment.
When To Book a Skin Maven Consult
If you feel like you have “tried everything” and still see congestion, tiny bumps or breakouts along the jaw, hairline or cheeks, it is time for guided support. As an esthetician with 20+ years of experience in acne skincare and treatments, I’m here to help!
During a consultation we can:
- Review your current skincare, makeup and even hair products
- Identify likely culprits in your routine
- Build a realistic plan that respects your budget and your lifestyle
- Support healthier, calmer and more predictable skin over time
