Here are the top 15 worst comedogenic oils and ingredients, ranked based on their potential to clog pores and cause breakouts.
The comedogenicity of an ingredient is often rated on a scale from 0 to 5:
- 0: Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores
- 1: Slightly comedogenic, very low chance of clogging pores
- 2-3: Moderately comedogenic, could cause issues for sensitive or acne-prone skin
- 4-5: Highly comedogenic, likely to clog pores and cause breakouts
Click here for the Top 20 best oil's and skincare ingredients to avoid acne.
These are even more particularly problematic for those with oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin:
1. Isopropyl Myristate
- Comedogenic Rating: 5
- Why It’s Bad: Commonly used for its smooth texture, isopropyl myristate is highly comedogenic and can quickly lead to clogged pores.
2. Wheat Germ Oil
- Comedogenic Rating: 5
- Why It’s Bad: Rich in vitamins but very thick and heavy, wheat germ oil is notorious for clogging pores and causing breakouts.
3. Cocoa Butter
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: While deeply moisturizing, cocoa butter is very thick and can easily block pores, making it unsuitable for acne-prone skin.
4. Coconut Oil
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Popular for its hydrating properties, coconut oil is highly comedogenic and can cause breakouts, particularly in oily or combination skin.
5. Algae Extracts (Carrageenan)
- Comedogenic Rating: 5
- Why It’s Bad: Often used in anti-aging products, algae extracts like carrageenan are highly comedogenic and can lead to severe pore blockage.
6. Lanolin
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Derived from sheep’s wool, lanolin is occlusive and can trap bacteria and debris in pores, causing breakouts.
7. Palm Oil
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Common in soaps and moisturizers, palm oil is comedogenic and can contribute to pore-clogging, especially in acne-prone skin.
8. Oleic Acid
- Comedogenic Rating: 4-5
- Why It’s Bad: This fatty acid, found in oils like olive oil, is thick and can clog pores, leading to acne flare-ups.
9. Isopropyl Palmitate
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Often used to enhance the texture of skincare products, isopropyl palmitate is highly comedogenic and can cause significant pore congestion.
10. Myristyl Myristate
- Comedogenic Rating: 5
- Why It’s Bad: This fatty acid ester is commonly found in creams and lotions, but it’s highly comedogenic and can exacerbate acne problems.
11. Soybean Oil
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Though rich in nutrients, soybean oil is comedogenic and can lead to clogged pores, especially in sensitive or acne-prone skin.
12. Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Comedogenic Rating: 3-4
- Why It’s Bad: Used as an emulsifier, glyceryl stearate SE can be comedogenic, particularly when combined with other pore-clogging ingredients.
13. Laureth-4
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: A surfactant and emulsifier, laureth-4 is highly comedogenic and can contribute to significant pore blockage and breakouts.
14. Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: This combination, often found in lotions and creams, can be comedogenic and may lead to clogged pores and acne.
15. Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Why It’s Bad: Used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics, ethylhexyl palmitate is comedogenic and can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
These ingredients are best avoided if you have oily or acne-prone skin, as they are highly likely to cause clogged pores and lead to breakouts. Instead, opt for non-comedogenic alternatives to keep your skin clear and healthy.