Oleth-3
Emulsifier · INCI: Oleth-3
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Known to clog pores. If you break out easily, this is the one to skip.
Is Oleth-3 comedogenic?
Yes. Oleth-3 is a known pore-clogging ingredient, and we read it as highly comedogenic. If you're acne-prone, it's worth avoiding, especially when it sits near the top of an ingredient list.
Why we read it this way
Oleth-3 is oleyl alcohol with a very short water-loving chain attached, an oil-soluble emulsifier that helps oils blend and spread through a formula. With so little added, it stays close to oleyl alcohol, which we also flag. Unlike the longer oleths, we read it as a high-risk emulsifier.
The nuance
Oleth-10 and Oleth-20 carry much longer chains and we read both as not pore-clogging, so the number on the label matters. It turns up in hair products as well as skincare, and those still reach the hairline, forehead and back.
Where it shows up
Styling pomades and gels, shampoos and other hair care, bath oils, and some creams and lotions that need an oil-soluble emulsifier.
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, the pore-clogging ingredients list has the rest of what we flag, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What causes acne.