Acne-Safe Ingredients Directory
A curated encyclopedia of skincare ingredients scoring 0 or 1 on the comedogenic scale. Formulate and shop with total peace of mind.
Verified Non-Clogging Ingredients (69 Items)
Thick viscous oil with low comedogenicity rating of 1.
Rich in regenerative trans-retinoic acid; rating 1 (very safe for most).
Antioxidant seed oil rated 1.
Bright orange healing oil rated 1.
Breathable silicone polymer; does not clog pores despite popular myths.
Derived from coconut without C12 lauric acid; fungal acne safe and non-comedogenic.
Universal humectant and solvent; rating 1.
Penetration enhancer and humectant rated 1.
Skin antioxidant; pure oil form is mildly occlusive (rating 1-2).
Balanced fatty acid ratio; rating 0 on comedogenic scale.
Universal solvent; zero comedogenic or irritation potential.
Gold standard humectant; completely non-comedogenic and fungal acne safe.
Hydrogenated, stable hydrocarbon; 100% non-comedogenic and completely fungal-acne safe.
High-purity cosmetic grade is proven 0/5 non-comedogenic.
Too large to penetrate pores; rating 0/5 (slugging safe).
Powerful hydration molecule; 0/5 rating, totally pore-safe.
Regulates sebum production, soothes inflammation, 100% non-comedogenic.
Lipophilic exfoliant that actively penetrates and cleans inside pores.
Deeply soothing barrier repair agent; 0/5 rating.
Anti-irritant and skin protectant; 0/5 rating.
Calms redness, speeds wound healing; 0/5 pore clogging score.
Essential barrier lipid; completely non-comedogenic.
Physiological lipid restoring stratum corneum integrity.
Crucial skin-identical ceramide; 0 rating.
Natural anti-microbial lipid found in human skin.
Natural skin lipid; 0 comedogenicity.
Inorganic physical sunscreen with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Physical mineral sunscreen filter; completely non-comedogenic.
Natural polysaccharide thickener; 0 rating.
Synthetic gel-former; 0 rating.
Widely used gentle preservative; 0 comedogenicity.
Preservative booster and humectant; 0 rating.
Prevents mineral degradation; 0 rating.
Standard pH adjuster; 0 rating.
Mild fruit acid for pH balance; 0 rating.
Volatile silicone that evaporates completely; 0 rating.
High linoleic acid variety is non-comedogenic (0/5 rating).
0/5 comedogenic rating; soothing green oil.
Hydrating plant juice; 0/5 pore clogging rating.
EGCG antioxidant that calms inflammation and reduces sebum; 0/5 rating.
Inhibits acne bacteria and clears hyperpigmentation; 0 rating.
Natural moisturizing factor (NMF); 0 rating.
Known to aggressively feed Malassezia yeast and cause fungal acne.
Probiotic ferment derivative; feeds fungal acne.
Essential fatty acid, soothing, low clogging rating of 1.
Pure Vitamin C; potent antioxidant, 0/5 comedogenicity.
Alpha hydroxy acid exfoliant; 0 comedogenicity.
Gentle hydrating AHA; 0 comedogenicity.
Cell-communicating ingredient; clears pores, 0 comedogenicity.
Gentle plant-derived retinol alternative; 0 comedogenicity.
Polyphenol antioxidant; 0 comedogenicity.
Brightening peptide-like molecule for hyperpigmentation; 0 rating.
Fungal-derived skin lightener; 0 comedogenicity.
Gentle melanin inhibitor; 0 comedogenicity.
Anti-inflammatory and skin soothing extract; 0 rating.
Korean herbal calming botanical; 0 rating.
Antibacterial bee resin; soothing, 0 rating.
Intensely hydrating and barrier-repairing; 100% non-comedogenic and fungal safe.
Oil-absorbing mineral powder; 0 rating.
Soft cosmetic powder; rating 1.
Shimmer and texture mineral; 0 rating.
Mineral pigments found in tinted moisturizers; 0 rating.
Gentle cleansing clay; 0 rating.
Deep oil-drawing volcanic ash clay; 0 rating.
FDA approved skin protectant; 0 rating.
Potent anti-acne botanical; low comedogenic (1) but can irritate in high doses.
Fragrant essential oil; mild clogging risk but common sensitizer.
Aromatic oil; high contact dermatitis risk.
Synthetic aromatics; does not clog pores but frequently causes irritation.
Need a 100% Non-Comedogenic Replacement?
If your current product contains pore-clogging ingredients, try these vetted, dermatologist-standard alternatives.
Daily Facial Moisturizer with Ceramides & Hyaluronic Acid
✔ Zero pore-clogging oils, zero heavy esters, 100% fungal acne safe. Dermatologist standard for cystic acne.
Clear Face Care Gel
✔ Water-based oil-free gel. pH 5.5 acidic mantle support, zero lipids or fatty acids.
Gentle Facial Cleanser
✔ Soap-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, sulfate-free gentle surfactant system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about pore-clogging ingredients, comedogenic scales, and fungal acne.
What does comedogenic mean in skincare?
A comedogenic ingredient is a substance with a physical or chemical tendency to clog hair follicles and pores, leading to the formation of microcomedones, blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammatory acne papules. The comedogenicity scale ranges from 0 (completely non-pore-clogging) to 5 (severely pore-clogging).
What is the difference between regular acne and fungal acne?
Regular acne (Acne Vulgaris) is caused by Cutibacterium acnes bacteria trapped in dead skin cells and sebum. Fungal acne (Malassezia Folliculitis) is caused by an overgrowth of yeast naturally present on skin. Unlike bacterial acne, Malassezia feeds specifically on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11 and 24, as well as esters and polysorbates. Standard antibacterial acne treatments often fail to clear fungal acne.
Is Coconut Oil really bad for acne-prone skin?
Yes, pure Coconut Oil has an official comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5. It is exceptionally rich in Lauric Acid (C12) and Myristic Acid (C14), which form a dense occlusive film that frequently traps sebum and debris in facial pores. While excellent for body dry skin and hair shafts, it should generally be avoided on facial acne-prone areas.
If a product has an ingredient rated 2, will it definitely break me out?
Not necessarily. A rating of 2 represents a low-to-moderate risk. In finished skincare formulas, ingredient concentration and formulation chemistry matter greatly. An ingredient with a rating of 2 listed at the very bottom of an INCI list (less than 1%) in a lightweight gel is much less likely to clog pores than a heavy cream where it is the second ingredient.
How is the comedogenic rating scale determined?
The 0-5 scale was originally established through dermatological rabbit ear and human patch testing by Dr. Albert Kligman and Dr. James Fulton. Today, it serves as the universal baseline for cosmetic chemists and estheticians to identify high-risk pore cloggers like Isopropyl Myristate (5), Wheat Germ Oil (5), and Coconut Oil (4).