Allantoin
Soothing · INCI: Allantoin
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Not a pore-clogger. Considered safe for acne-prone skin.
Is Allantoin comedogenic?
No. Allantoin isn't considered pore-clogging, and we read it as safe to use on acne-prone skin. That doesn't make it right for everyone, but congestion isn't the thing to watch for with it.
Why we read it this way
Allantoin is a soothing, skin-softening compound found in plants such as comfrey and usually made synthetically for cosmetics. Formulas use a small amount of it to calm the feel of skin and smooth rough patches. Our reading is that it does not clog pores.
The nuance
It works at very low levels, so it sits near the end of most labels and says little about the rest of the formula. A product sold as soothing or made for sensitive skin can still carry ingredients we flag.
Where it shows up
Moisturizers for sensitive skin, shaving products, after-sun lotions and baby creams. Exfoliating toners and treatment products often include it to offset their harsher ingredients.
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What acne actually is.