Porecelain

Flawless skin starts with the fine print.

Every ingredient we rate

121 ingredients, grouped by what they chemically are — because the evidence for one member of a family is routinely, and wrongly, read across to the rest of it. 30 are rated Clogging. Every rating shows the confidence we have in it, and that confidence is capped by the quality of the evidence, not by how many websites repeat it.

Names in bold have a full page: what the ingredient is, what the evidence actually says, and — the part nobody else prints — what it doesn’t. The rest have a rating but not yet a page. We would rather publish a few pages worth reading than 121 worth skimming.

Oils 22

  • Argan Oil Lightweight, linoleic-rich oil generally considered non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Avocado Oil Rich oleic-heavy oil with a moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Castor Oil Viscous but low-comedogenic oil widely used in cleansing balms and lip products. Clear Moderate
  • Coconut Oil Heavy oil rich in lauric/myristic acids; widely advised against for acne-prone skin. Clogging Moderate
  • Corn Oil Vegetable oil; moderately pore-clogging in legacy assays. Caution Low
  • Cottonseed Oil Moderately comedogenic oil per legacy assays. Caution Low
  • Evening Primrose Oil Rich seed oil (popular for GLA); moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Flaxseed Oil Heavy seed oil; moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Grapeseed Oil Light, high-linoleic oil; dermatological consensus rates it low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate
  • Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Hardened vegetable fat used as a texturizer; moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Jojoba Oil Liquid wax close to skin's own sebum; commonly worried about but generally well tolerated. Clear Moderate
  • Mink Oil Animal-derived oil with a moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Olive Oil High in oleic acid; commonly cautioned for acne-prone skin despite a modest legacy score. Caution Moderate
  • Peach Kernel Oil Oleic-rich kernel oil; low-to-moderate legacy clog score, commonly cautioned for acne-prone skin. Caution Low
  • Peanut Oil Heavy nut oil with a low-to-moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Rosehip Oil High-linoleic dry oil; broadly regarded as low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate
  • Sesame Oil Occlusive seed oil with a moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Soybean Oil Vegetable oil with a moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Sulfated Castor Oil Sulfated oil with a moderate legacy clog score (plain castor oil rates lower). Caution Low
  • Sunflower Seed Oil One of the few oils rated genuinely non-comedogenic (high linoleic content). Clear Moderate
  • Sweet Almond Oil Oleic-rich emollient oil commonly cautioned for acne-prone skin, consistent with how heavier oleic oils (olive, avocado) are treated. Caution Moderate
  • Wheat Germ Oil Heavy oil; rated highly pore-clogging by legacy assays. Clogging Low

Esters 16

  • Butyl Stearate Ester emollient; legacy assays give it a moderate (not high) clog score. Caution Low
  • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Light coconut-derived emollient with a low clog score. Clear Moderate
  • Cetyl Acetate Acetate ester emollient flagged across acne-community lists. Clogging Low
  • Cetyl Palmitate Wax ester used as a thickener; rated non-comedogenic by legacy assays. Clear Moderate
  • Decyl Oleate Oleate ester emollient with a high legacy clog score. Clogging Low
  • Isocetyl Stearate Branched ester emollient; rated highly pore-clogging by legacy assays. Clogging Low
  • Isopropyl Isostearate Branched emollient ester; among the highest-scoring in legacy rabbit-ear assays. Clogging Low
  • Isopropyl Linoleate Isopropyl ester in the IPM family; flagged highly comedogenic by legacy assays. Clogging Low
  • Isopropyl Myristate Widely flagged penetration-enhancing emollient; rating rests on legacy assays only. Clogging Low
  • Isopropyl Palmitate Emollient ester closely related to isopropyl myristate; legacy assays rate it high. Clogging Low
  • Isostearyl Isostearate Branched wax ester common in balms and colour cosmetics; high legacy clog score. Clogging Low
  • Myristyl Lactate Myristate ester; flagged across acne-community lists. Clogging Low
  • Myristyl Myristate Heavy wax ester; legacy assays place it among the most comedogenic emollients. Clogging Low
  • Octyl Palmitate Emollient ester; legacy score drops sharply when diluted, so finished-product risk varies. Clogging Low
  • Octyl Stearate Fatty ester; high legacy clog and irritancy scores. Clogging Low
  • Stearyl Heptanoate Ester emollient flagged by legacy rabbit-ear assays. Clogging Low

Emulsifiers 9

  • Glyceryl Stearate Very common emulsifier; the plain (non-SE) form is widely considered non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Glyceryl Stearate SE The self-emulsifying (SE) form scores moderate; plain glyceryl stearate rates low. Caution Low
  • Lecithin Phospholipid emulsifier; broadly non-comedogenic at use levels. Clear Moderate
  • Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate Branched diisostearate emulsifier (common in balms/makeup) flagged by acne-community lists. Clogging Low
  • Polysorbate 20 Mild solubilizer/emulsifier; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Polysorbate 80 Mild solubilizer/emulsifier; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Propylene Glycol Monostearate Stearate emulsifier; high legacy clog score. Clogging Low
  • Sorbitan Oleate Oleate-based emulsifier with a moderate legacy clog score (other sorbitan esters rate lower). Caution Low
  • Triethanolamine pH adjuster / neutralizer used at low levels; low comedogenic risk on its own. Clear Moderate

Actives 7

  • Azelaic Acid Acne and rosacea treatment; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Bakuchiol Plant-derived retinol alternative; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Benzoyl Peroxide Topical acne treatment; not comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Colloidal Sulfur Moderately pore-clogging in legacy assays — ironically, also used as an acne treatment. Caution Low
  • Niacinamide Well-tolerated active; broadly regarded as non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Retinol Vitamin-A active used to treat acne; not associated with clogging pores. Clear Moderate
  • Salicylic Acid A BHA acne treatment that helps unclog pores — not itself comedogenic. Clear Moderate

Humectants 7

  • Butylene Glycol Common humectant/solvent; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Glycerin Humectant with a strong safety record; not associated with clogging pores. Clear Moderate
  • Panthenol Humectant/soothing agent; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Propylene Glycol Common humectant/solvent; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Sodium Hyaluronate Lightweight humectant; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Sodium PCA Humectant rated 0 by legacy assays. Clear Low
  • Sorbitol Sugar-alcohol humectant; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate

Minerals & pigments 7

  • Bentonite Absorbent clay; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Iron Oxides Mineral colourants (common in tinted/SPF products); non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Kaolin Absorbent clay used in masks/powders; non-comedogenic (minerals rate 0). Clear Moderate
  • Sodium Chloride Salt thickener/tonicity agent; ubiquitous and considered benign in practice. Clear Moderate
  • Talc Mineral filler used in powders; low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate
  • Titanium Dioxide Mineral UV filter / pigment; minerals are non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Zinc Oxide Mineral UV filter / soothing agent; low clog risk. Clear Moderate

Ethoxylates (PEGs & polysorbates) 6

  • Laureth-23 Ethoxylated lauryl alcohol emulsifier; moderate legacy clog score (milder than Laureth-4). Caution Low
  • Laureth-4 Ethoxylate; high legacy clog and irritancy scores. Clogging Low
  • Oleth-3 Ethoxylated oleyl alcohol; high legacy clog score. Clogging Low
  • PEG-100 Stearate Very common PEG emulsifier (usually paired with glyceryl stearate); rated non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • PPG-5 Ceteth-10 Phosphate Ethoxylated/propoxylated phosphate emulsifier with a high legacy clog score. Clogging Low
  • Steareth-10 Ethoxylated stearyl alcohol flagged comedogenic by acne-community lists. Clogging Low

Fatty acids 5

  • Capric Acid Medium-chain saturated fatty acid; low-to-moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Lauric Acid Fatty acid that can aggravate breakouts for some; depends heavily on concentration. Caution Moderate
  • Myristic Acid Large saturated fatty acid; moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Palmitic Acid Saturated fatty acid with only a low legacy clog score; common in soaps and creams. Clear Low
  • Stearic Acid Common fatty-acid emulsifier; pure stearic acid has a low legacy clog score. Clear Moderate

Fatty alcohols 5

  • Cetearyl Alcohol Common fatty-alcohol emulsifier; non-comedogenic on its own. Clear Moderate
  • Cetyl Alcohol Fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier; widely considered non-comedogenic despite the name. Clear Moderate
  • Isocetyl Alcohol Branched fatty alcohol emollient flagged pore-clogging by legacy assays. Clogging Low
  • Oleyl Alcohol Large unsaturated fatty alcohol flagged comedogenic by legacy assays. Clogging Low
  • Stearyl Alcohol Fatty-alcohol emulsifier/thickener; non-comedogenic on its own despite the name (like cetyl/cetearyl alcohol). Clear Moderate

Lanolin & derivatives 5

  • Acetylated Lanolin Acetylated lanolins were among the most pore-clogging in early studies. Clogging Low
  • Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol Highly pore-clogging undiluted; the score falls sharply at low concentration, so finished-product risk varies. Clogging Low
  • Isopropyl Lanolate Isopropyl ester of lanolin acids; moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Lanolin Occlusive wool-derived emollient; flagged by some lists, considered fine by others. Clogging Low
  • PEG-16 Lanolin Ethoxylated lanolin; high legacy clog score. Clogging Low

Preservatives 5

  • Caprylyl Glycol Humectant / preservative-booster; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Methylparaben Common preservative; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Phenoxyethanol Very common preservative; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Propylparaben Common preservative; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Sodium Benzoate Common preservative; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate

Botanical extracts 4

  • Allantoin Soothing agent; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Soothing hydrating gel; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Centella Asiatica Extract Popular soothing botanical; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate
  • Tea Tree Oil Antimicrobial essential oil used for blemishes; no comedogenic concern on record. Clear Moderate

Hydrocarbons 4

  • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene Synthetic emollient (common lightweight mineral-oil alternative); low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate
  • Mineral Oil Modern cosmetic-grade mineral oil is widely considered non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Petrolatum Occlusive once assumed comedogenic, but human testing reappraised it as non-comedogenic. Clear High
  • Squalane Lightweight, stable emollient that mimics skin lipids; non-comedogenic. (Not the same as squalene.) Clear Moderate

Algae & seaweed 3

  • Algae Extract Several algae-derived extracts are commonly cautioned for acne-prone skin. Caution Moderate
  • Algin Seaweed-derived gelling agent flagged by legacy assays. Clogging Low
  • Carrageenan Red-algae thickener; high legacy clog score. Clogging Low

Antioxidants 3

  • Ascorbic Acid Antioxidant active; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Ascorbyl Palmitate Fat-soluble vitamin-C ester; the palmitate portion carries a low-to-moderate legacy clog score. Caution Low
  • Tocopherol Antioxidant; generally non-comedogenic at typical use levels. Clear Moderate

Butters 3

  • Cocoa Butter Rich occlusive butter; commonly cautioned for acne-prone skin, but formulation matters. Caution Moderate
  • Coconut Butter Hydrogenated coconut fat; rich and occlusive, rated highly pore-clogging by legacy assays. (Distinct from coconut oil.) Clogging Low
  • Shea Butter Rich butter that's well tolerated by most; numeric and dermatological sources rate it non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate

Silicones 3

  • Cyclopentasiloxane Volatile silicone that evaporates off the skin; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Dimethicone Breathable silicone; broadly regarded as non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate
  • Simethicone Silicone (dimethicone + silica); breathable and non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate

Waxes 3

  • Beeswax Structuring wax; broadly low-risk in finished formulas despite a modest legacy range (0–2). Clear Moderate
  • Candelilla Wax Plant wax (vegan beeswax alternative); low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate
  • Carnauba Wax Plant wax used to structure balms and sticks; low comedogenic risk. Clear Moderate

Surfactants 2

  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate Milder surfactant than SLS; moderate legacy score, and usually in rinse-off products which lowers real-world risk. Caution Low
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate High legacy clog score, but it is a surfactant usually found in rinse-off products, which lowers real-world risk. Caution Low

Solvents 1

  • Water Solvent base; no comedogenic concern. Clear Moderate

Sterols 1

  • Cholesterol Skin-identical barrier lipid; non-comedogenic. Clear Moderate

‹ Check a full ingredient list