
Are you concerned about comedogenic ingredients in your beauty products? In this post, you will find a list of all the pore-clogging ingredients found in skin care and also a list of my favourite non-comedogenic beauty products that are completely safe for acne.
what is product acne?
Whilst those big, red pimples are usually a sign of a deeper imbalance and chronic inflammation, the small skin coloured bumps and clogged pores that you are struggling with are more likely to be caused by comedogenic ingredients in your skin care – this is what is known as “product acne” which is a type of comedonal acne, consisting on non-inflammatory spots like blackheads and whiteheads.

It’s very common to have BOTH product acne and inflammatory acne as often hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies and other lifestyle factors will turn a clogged pore into a big red spot.
Clogged pores are the result of a combination of dead skin cells, debris and sebum and when a pore gets clogged up, it creates the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive. The bad bacteria then over populates the pore and causes a bacterial infection which the body will then attempt to fight, resulting in acne symptoms such as redness and inflammation.

If you’re struggling with those annoying colourless bumps that just won’t go away – it’s important that you check every single ingredient in your beauty cabinet as there are many pore clogging ingredients out there that could be making your acne worse.
are comedogenic ingredients bad for everyone?
Not necessarily! There are a number of reasons why you may break out from a product containing comedogenic ingredients and your friend may not – this includes (but is not limited to):
- Your friend has smaller pores
- Your friend produces less oil naturally
- You have more sensitive androgen receptors in your skin
- Your friends diet and lifestyle is better equipped to prevent clogged pores and sebum oxidisation.
The information provided below is based on the 1989 study by James E. Fulton “Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products”. (source)
full list of comedogenic ingredients to avoid if you have acne
These are all the comedogenic ingredients that can potentially clog pores and include synthetic and natural oils, fatty acids, waxes, alcohols, silicones, detergents and thickeners.
I’ve also included many natural oils that were never tested in the original study on comedogenic ingredients. As there is no scientific evidence to prove that they comedogenic, their fatty acid profile leads experts to believe they could still cause issues. For that reason I recommend avoiding them all until you are completely clear then slowly experiment to see which oils you can and can’t tolerate.
Some people with acne can still tolerate natural oils that are considered more comedogenic such as Shea Butter and Grapeseed in small doses in leave-on products such as moisturisers and higher doses with wash-off products such as cleansers, shampoos and conditioners. So, if they’re working for you, don’t stress out because you see them on this list! Trust your instinct and use what works for you.
Everyone’s skin reacts differently, but all of these are potentially pore clogging ingredients and have been known to cause problems with acne skin types. You may find some of these ingredients are perfectly fine with your skin but I wanted to provide you all with a comprehensive list of all the ingredients that I look out for and avoid when choosing my own skin care products and cosmetics.
A
- Acetylated Lanolin
- Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol
- Algin
- Amodimethicones
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Avocado Butter
- Ascorbyl palmitate
- Algae Extract
B
- Baobab Oil
- Beeswax
- Behenic acid
- Benzaldehyde
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- Benzoic Acid
- Bismuth oxychloride
- Borage Oil
- Buriti Oil
- Butyl Stearate
C
- Carrageenan
- Camphor Oil
- Capric Acid
- Cera alba
- Cetearyl Alcohol & Ceteareth-20
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Ceteareth 20
- Cetyl Acetate
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Cheru Seed Oil
- Cherry Seed Oil
- Chullu Oil
- Chia Oil
- Carrot Seed Oil
- Carrageenan Moss
- Chlorella
- Chondrus Crispus
- D&C Red 17 (C.I.12390)
- D&C Red 21 (C.I.12300)
- D&C Red 3 (C.I.12120)
- D&C Red 30 (C.I.12330)
- D&C Red 36 (C.I.12085)
- Coal Tar
- Coconut Butter
- Coconut Alkanes
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Colloidal Sulfur
- Corn Oil
- Cotton Seed Oil
- Corn Starch (Zea Mays)
- C13-14 Isoparaffin
- Cyclomethicone
D
- Decyl Oleate
- Dhupa Seed Oil
- Di (2 ethylhexyl) succinate
- Dioctyl malate
- Dioctyl Succinate
- Dhupa Seed Oil
- Disodium Monooleamido PEG2-Sulfosuccinate
E
- Ethoxylated Lanolin
- Eicosanoic acid
- Ethylhexyl pelargonate
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Evening Primrose Oil
F
- Flax Seed Oil
G
- Glyceryl Stearate SE (MUST have SE at end)
- Gorgonian Coral Extract
- Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate
- Groundnut Oil
- Glycine Soya Oil
H
- Hazelnut Oil
- Hemp Oil
- Hexadecyl Alcohol
- Hexylene Glycol
- Hydrogenated Vegetable
I
- Isocetyl Alcohol
- Isocetyl Stearate
- Isodecyl Oleate
- Isopropyl Isostearate
- Isopropyl lanolate
- Isopropyl Linolate
- Isopropyl Myristate
- Isopropyl Palmitate
- Isostearyl Isostearate
- Isostearyl Neopentanoate
- Isostearic acid
- Isostearyl alcohol
- Irish Moss
J
- Kapok seed Oil
- Kukui nut Oil
- Kusum Oil
- Kokum Oil
- Kokum Butter
- Kelp
L
- Laminaria Digitata Extract
- Laminaria Saccharina Extract
- Laneth-10
- Lanolic acid
- Lanolin alcohol
- Linoleic acid
- Linolenic acid
- Laureth-4
- Laureth-23
- Lauric Acid
- Linseed Oil
M
- Mahua Seed Oil
- Methicone
- Mink Oil
- Mineral Oil
- Macadamia oil
- Maracuja oil
- Marula oil
- Moringa oil
- Melon Seed Oil
- Myristic Acid
- Myristyl Alcohol
- Myristyl Lactate
- Myristyl Myristate
N
- Nahor Seed Oil
- Neem Oil
O
- Octyl Palmitate
- Octyl Stearate
- Oleth-3
- Oleth-5
- Oleyl Alcohol
- Olive Oil
- Octyldodecanol
- Oleic acid
- Oleth-10
- Oleth-3 phosphate
- Oleth-5
- Oleyl alcohol
P
- Palash Oil
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Palm Oil
- Peach Kernel Oil
- Peanut Oil
- PEG-8 Stearate
- PEG-100 Distearate
- PEG-150 Distearate
- PEG-200 Dilaurate
- PEG-16 Lanolin
- Phenyl trimethicone
- Pilu Oil
- Pisu Oil
- Polyglyceryl-Diisostearate
- Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate
- Potassium Chloride
- PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate
- Propylene Glycol (PG) Monostearate
- Palmitic acid
- PEG 200 dilaurate
- PEG 8 stearate
- PG caprylate/caprate
- Pentaerythrital tetraisostearate
- PG dipelargonate
- Phytantriol
- PPG 10 cetyl ether
- PPG 12 PEG 65 lanolin oil
- PPG 5 Ceteth 10 phosphate
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Prunus dulcis oil
R
- Red Algae
- Rhodophyta
- Ratanjyat Oil
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
- Rice Bran Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Red Raspberry Seed Oil
S
- Sea Whip
- Sesame Oil
- Shorea Robusta Seed Oil
- Sodium Alginate
- Sodium Chloride
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Carbomer
- Solulan 16
- Sorbitan Oleate
- Soybean Oil
- Steareth-2
- Steareth-10
- Shark liver oil
- Sorbitan isostearate
- Sorbitan laurate
- Soy oil
- Steareth-20
- Sulfulated jojoba oil
- Stearic Acid TEA
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Stearyl Heptanoate
- Sulfated Castor Oil
- Sulfated Jojoba Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Shea Butter
T
- Tamanu Oil
- Tribehenin
- Triethanoleamine
- Tamanu oil
- Tocopherol (under 2% is ok)
U
- Undi Oil
V
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Vitis vinifera Oil
W
- Wheat Germ Glycerides
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Wild Apricot Oil
- Water-soluble sulfur
- Walnut oil
X
- Xylene
so what CAN you use on your skin?
While it might feel like there’s nothing suitable for acne prone skin, there is! Focus on the ingredients you CAN use on the skin. As I mentioned before, skin nourishing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea, MSM, Niacinimide, Manuka Honey and Marshmallow Extract are all great for acne prone skin without being comedogenic!
And while most natural skin care oils are comedogenic, there are a small selection of oils that ARE safe for the skin, these include:
- Squalane (my favourite)
- Organic Jojoba
- Organic Safflower
- Organic Sunflower
- Organic Castor Oil
(truly) non-comedogenic beauty products for acne
If you are struggling with congestion and clogged pores it is essential that you look at your skin care products and eliminate any product that contains pore clogging ingredients.
Don’t be fooled by brands labelling their product as “non comedogenic” or “non pore clogging” as this means NOTHING! It’s an unregulated marketing term which has zero meaning and any brand can add it to their product.
Below are some of my most trusted products for acne that are are free from comedogenic ingredients.
PLEASE NOTE: When a URL link on this site changes or becomes broken, a strikethrough will appear through the product name. This DOES NOT mean that I no longer recommend that product, just that the link needs updating!
make up remover for acne
- Ere Perez Gingko Micellar Water
- Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water
- MOSSA Juicy Micellar Water
- Laboritoire Haut Segala Micellar Water
- Roccoco Botanicals Pore Cleansing Oil
- Estelle & Thild BioCleanse Micellar Water
- Madara Micellar Water
- SO’BiO étic Aloe Vera Hydrating Micellar Water
cleanser for acne
- Estelle & Thild Cleansing Gel
- Therapi Honey Skincare Lemon Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser
- Therapi Honey Skincare Rose Otto Honey Gel Cleanser
- Gallinée Prebiotic Facial Foaming Cleanser
- Mother Dirt Cleanser
- Green People Foaming Face Wash
- Skin:Genius Best Cleanse Forever
- Honest Beauty Magic Gel-To-Milk Cleanser
- Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser
- Honest Beauty Clearing Cleanser
- Roccoco Botanicals Fruit Gel Wash
- Roccoco Botanicals Hibiscus Cleansing Milk
- Yes To Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Wipes
- Estelle & Thild BioCleanse 3 in 1 Cleansing Foam
- Evolve Daily Detox Cleanser
- Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
facial mist for acne
- 100% Pure Tea Tree and Willow Acne Astringent
- 100% Pure Lavender Pore Refining Toner
- Marie Veronique Balancing HypoTonic
- Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist
- Gallinée Prebiotic Face Vinegar
- Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
- Honest Beauty Elevation Hydration Mist
- Roccoco Botanicals Hydrating Essence
- Roccoco Botanicals Purifying Essence
- Green People Toning Hydrating Mist
- Mother Dirt AO+ MIST
- Osea Sea Minerals
serum for acne
- Garden of Wisdom Manuka Hyaluronic Acid Serum (US)
- Garden of Wisdom Spearmint Leaf Hyaluronic Serum (US)
- Garden of Wisdom Majik C Serum (US)
- Garden of Wisdom HA Serum
- Garden of Wisdom PHA Plus Serum
- Garden of Wisdom Anti-Ageing Multi Peptide Serum
- Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C Serum 23%
- Cosmedica Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Marie Veronique Soothing B3 Serum
- Evolve Hyaluronic 200 Serum
- Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
- Roccoco Botanical Clarifying C Serum
- Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum
- Madara HydraFirm Serum
- Joyal Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Osea HA Sea Serum
- Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum
facial oil for acne
- Naissance Squalane Oil
- Indie Lee Squalane Oil
- Bybi Beauty Booster Bakuchiol Oil & Olive Squalane
- Garden of Wisdom Deep-C Squalane Oil
- Garden of Wisdom Pure Squalane Oil
- The Ordinary Squalane Oil
- Timeless 100% Squalane Oil
- Dr Brenner Squalane Oil
- Other oils containing only Jojoba, Safflower, Sunflower, Squalane or Castor oil will also be fine.
Read more about the benefits of Squalane oil here.
moisturiser for acne
- Face Theory Super Gel Moisturiser
- Krave Beauty Oat-So-Simple Moisturiser
- Madara Deep Moisture Gel
- Living Nature Manuka Gel
- Honest Beauty HydroGel Moisturiser (Vitamin E under 2%)
SPF for acne
This is the hardest section! SPF is so so so important, not just for skin protection and anti-ageing, but it also plays a vital role in protecting your skin from sebum oxidisation, clogged pores and acne. It took me years to find facial SPF that not only fit with my philosophy, but was also free from comedogenic ingredients…however the wait was worth it as my skin is so much calmer wearing SPF daily (plus it helps keeps me looking young)!
- TiZo 2 Facial Primer Sunscreen SPF40
- TiZo AM Replenish SPF40
- MDSolar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF30
- MDSolar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF50
- MDSolar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF30 (UK)
- MDSolar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF50 (UK)
- Cane + Austin Mattifying Primer SPF50
- Suntegrity Moisturising Face Sunscreen SPF30 – contains low levels of pomegranate oil
- Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturiser SPF30 – less that 2% vitamin E
- Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturiser SPF30 (UK) – less that 2% vitamin E
- Earthwise Beauty Farizads Veil Mineral Powder
foundation for acne
- Ere Perez Oat Water Foundation (Light Coverage)
- Young Blood Liquid Mineral Foundation (Light-Medium Sheer Coverage)
- Young Blood Mineral Powder Foundation (Medium Matte Coverage)
- 100% Pure 2nd Skin Foundation (Medium Coverage)
- Tarte Shape Tape Matte (Full Coverage)
- Alima Pure Satin Matte Mineral Powder
- Alime Pure Satin Matte Mineral Powder (UK)
- Ere Perez Quinoa Water Foundation – less than 2% vitamin E
- Other pure mineral powder foundations
TOP TIP: You can add some mineral powder to your favourite facial oil to make your own lightweight liquid foundation without any comedogenic ingredients!
concealer for acne
I’ve ALWAYS struggled with concealer for spots – I usually get much better results using a small beauty sponge and my foundation to build up coverage! However, these are the best non-comedogenic ones I’ve found:
facial tools for acne
fake tan for acne
spot treatments for acne
Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliated. This means that if you click through one of these links and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. It doesn’t cost you any extra but it’s these small commissions that help keep this blog going! Please bear in mind that I only ever recommend brands and products that I have personally tried, tested and loved and will never support a brand that doesn’t share my philosophy and ethos.
Peace, Love & Clear Skin

I was wondering why some recommendations are crossed out?
Hi Alex – I mention it before the list of recommendation, it’s to do with Amazon links changing, it doesn’t mean I don’t recommend them anymore – it’s just that the link is broken/redirected 🙂 Amy x
What are your thoughts about using argan oil for a moisturizer?
Hi! What are your thoughts about using argan oil as a moisturizer? Also, do you revommend using raspberry seed oil for some sun protection? Thank you!
I personally don’t get on with it, but my skin is still very reactive when it comes to oils (I will only use oils for my first cleanse) everything else in my routine is oil free! If Argan oil is working for you, then please continue to use it! However, if you are still struggling with persistent spots and congestion then you might want to experiment with avoiding oils for 3 months and seeing if there’s an improvement! If there is and you want to experiment with oils again, try one thing at a time and don’t add anything else for another 3 months as that’s how long spots take to form from a tiny, invisible clogged pore!
Also! Red Raspberry seed oil can be used as a booster within other SPF formulas (if you can tolerate oils) but I wouldn’t rely on it as your only UV protection 🙂 x