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Body Care
Hair Care
Nail Care
Skin Care
Comedogenicity
Ingredients |
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What is comedogenicity?
What is comedogenicity?
The term "comedogenicity"
is often called "pore-clogging" relative to product ingredients.
This may mean the ingredient blocks dead skin cells in pores or that
the ingredient tends to form small plugs of oil. Generally, those
most susceptible to comedogenicity are those with oily or acne-prone
skin. While most dermatologists and skin care professionals recommend
oil-free products for these skin types, many oil-free ingredients
can still be considered comedogenic. Likewise, some oils are in fact
non-comedogenic [like, (surprise!) USP-grade mineral oil; even Crisco™
is only somewhat comedogenic].
More importantly, when reviewing ingredient lists,
formulations that contain comedogenic ingredients aren't always
pore-clogging; even somewhat or very comedogenic ingredients can
be present in non-comedogenic formulas when used at percentages low
enough so that the end formula won't clog pores . Comedogenic
ingredients may also be included in products without resulting in
comedogenicity because the formula is 1) intended for areas not
prone to comedogenicity (e.g., lips, eye lines, hands, body) or 2)
intended for skin types not normally susceptible to comedogenicity
(e.g., mature or dry skin types).
Below is a (very) partial list of commonly used ingredients,
grouped by degree of comedogenicity. This list is by no means
exhaustive, so when in doubt about a formula, consult your local
library, cosmetic chemist or dermatologist for other possible
offenders.
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Very
Comedogenic
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Somewhat
Comedogenic
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Not
Comedogenic
|
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Acetylated
lanolin alcohol
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Anhydrous
lanolin
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Allantoin
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Butyl
stearate
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Avocado
oil
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Beeswax
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Capric/caprylic
triglyceride
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Capric
& caprylic acid
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Carmine
|
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Cocoa
butter
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Castor
oil
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Cetyl
palmitate
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Isopropyl's,
except Isopropyl alcohol
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Coconut
oil
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Cyclomethicone
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Lanolic
acid
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Corn
oil
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Dimethicone
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Linseed
oil
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D&C
red pigments (most)
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Ethanol
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Myristyl
myristate
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Grape
seed oil
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Glycerin
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Octyl
palmitate & stearate
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Glyceryl
stearate
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Iron
oxides
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Oleic
acid
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Hexylene
glycol
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Isopropyl
alcohol
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Olive
oil
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Lanolin
alcohol & oil
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Jojoba
oil
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Peach
kernal oil
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Lauryl
alcohol, Laureth acid
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Kaolin
(clay)
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Sweet
almond oil
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Mineral
oil, cosmetic grade
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Mineral
oil (USP)
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Mink
oil
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Octyl
methoxycinnamate
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Myristic
acid, Myristyl lactate
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Octyldodecyl
stearate
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Octyldodecanol
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Oxybenzone
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Palmitic
acid
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Panthenol
|
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Peanut
oil
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Petrolatum
(USP)
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Safflower
oil
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Polysorbates
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Sesame
oil
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Propylene
glycol
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Sorbitan
oleate
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SD
alcohol
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Sunflower
oil
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Kaolin
(clay)
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Tocopherol
(vitamin E)
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Sodium
hyaluronate
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Sodium
PCA
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Sorbitol
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Squalene
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Titanium
dioxide
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Waxes—Candelilla,
Carnauba, Emulsifying, Paraffin
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Zinc
oxide & stearate
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