What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?

Interpreting the label of your most common beauty products can feel like learning a second language. What does it mean that an SPF is considered “broad spectrum?” And what the heck is a ceramide, and why are they necessary? Should your makeup be comedogenic or non-comedogenic, and what’s the difference?

Unless you’re a dermatologist or esthetician, you may find it intimidating to shop for skincare, and we don’t blame you. Thankfully this is our area of expertise and we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll break down the need-to-know facts about non-comedogenic beauty products. So the next time you’re struggling to make a selection, you can recall what you’ve learned here to help make your decision a little easier.

What is non-comedogenic?

Non-comedogenic is a big, fancy scientific term that simply means that the product in question won’t clog your pores. You’ll notice the non-comedogenic label on dozens of beauty necessities from cosmetics and skin cleansers to sunscreens and even shaving products. Those of you with oily, acne-prone skin are most likely to benefit from using non-comedogenic skincare. On the other hand, dry skin sufferers may want to limit the number of non-comedogenic products in their medicine cabinet.

As a measure of how likely an ingredient is to clog your pores, experts have actually developed a scale. Because clogged pores are known to cause acne, you can use this scale to gauge which ingredients work well with your skin type.

0: Not likely to clog pores

1: Very low likelihood of clogging pores

2: Somewhat likely to clog pores

3: Moderate likelihood of clogging pores

4: Somewhat high likelihood of clogging pores

5: Very high chance of clogging pores

Best Skincare Ingredients that Don’t Clog Pores

Let’s look at the most non-comedogenic ingredients that don’t clog your pores. You’ll want to use skin care products that have these ingredients if you have oily or acne prone skin.

Castor Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Shea Butter
Sunflower Oil
Safflower Oil
Aloe

Best non-comedogenic skincare

As your besties in all things beauty, if you thought we’d leave without dropping the deets on the best non-comedogenic skincare products, you’re mistaken. And because we don’t just want to recommend products, we went ahead and created our own! The Moody Sisters Clear & Tone Skincare Essentials bundle is without a doubt the best non-comedogenic formula to clean and clarify your complexion. Keep everyone guessing about your skincare secrets with this trio of oil erasing, acne fighting favorites which includes a face wash, toning mist, and moisturizer.

Common Skincare Ingredients that Clog Pores

Here are the highest rated comedogenic ingredients in skincare. These products are known to clog pores for those with oily or acne prone skin. We recommend avoiding these ingredients in your cleansers, serums and moisturizers if you struggle with oil or acne:

Moringa Oil
Palm Oil
Algae
Cocoa Butter
Coconut Oil
Wheat Germ Oil