Honey
Humectant · INCI: Mel (Honey) Extract
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Not a pore-clogger. Considered safe for acne-prone skin.
Is Honey comedogenic?
No. Honey 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
Honey is a natural humectant that draws water to the skin and gives a formula a soft, cushioned feel. It is made up mostly of sugars and water, so it dissolves and rinses away cleanly. We read honey as not pore-clogging.
The nuance
Honey can be listed as Mel Extract. It is a separate ingredient from beeswax, which comes from the same hive and which we read with more caution. A bee or pollen allergy is a different question from pore-clogging.
Where it shows up
Face cleansers, wash-off masks, lip balms, hydrating toners and hand creams. Shampoos and conditioners sold for dry hair often carry it too.
Names we read the same way
- Mel Extract
- Honey Extract
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 causes acne.