Acne ingredient checker
Is your
skincare
acne-safe?
How the acne ingredient checker reads a label
Known to clog pores.
Clogs pores for some people.
Safe for acne-prone skin.
Not in our data yet.
453 ingredients rated, every call reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician. The ones we flag are on the pore-clogging list, every ingredient is in the ingredient index, and the acne guides go deeper.
Good to know
Common questions
Is comedogenic the same as pore-clogging?
Yes. Comedogenic is the technical word for pore-clogging, which is why a tool like this gets called a comedogenic checker, a pore-clogging checker or an acne ingredient checker. They all read a label for the same ingredients.
What ingredients clog pores?
Coconut oil, cocoa butter, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate and algae extracts are some of the best known. The pore-clogging ingredients list has every one we flag.
Coconut oilCocoa butterIsopropyl myristateIsopropyl palmitateAlgaePore-clogging ingredients list
How do I find a product's ingredient list?
On the back of the packaging, and on nearly every brand's product page online. Order matters: ingredients run from the most used to the least.
Does a pore-clogging ingredient mean a product will definitely break me out?
No. Comedogenic means an ingredient has a track record of clogging pores, not that it will for everyone. How much is used, where it sits in the list, and your own skin all change the outcome. One flag is a reason to pay attention. Several flags in something you use every day is a likely culprit.
What do Highly comedogenic, Use with caution, and Not pore-clogging mean?
Highly comedogenic is a known pore-clogger, the one to skip if you're acne-prone. Use with caution can clog pores for some people, so it's worth watching if you're treating acne. Not pore-clogging is just that: considered safe for acne-prone skin.
Why is an ingredient marked Not yet rated?
It isn't in our data yet. We'd rather say so than guess it's safe, so it's counted on its own and never as acne-safe.
If a label says non-comedogenic, is it acne-safe?
Not necessarily. Non-comedogenic and oil-free are marketing claims with no regulated definition, so a product can carry them and still contain well-known pore-cloggers. The ingredient list is the one part of the label that can't spin.
Which products should I check?
Anything that touches your face or ends up there: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, primer, and yes, haircare. Conditioner, styling products, and hair oils are a classic hidden cause of breakouts along the hairline, jaw, and back.