Comedogenic treatment? A link with acne?
A comedogenic product means that it causes blackheads. A comedogenic ingredient will clog the pores and create a film on the skin which will prevent combination to oily skin from breathing well and prevent sebum from being evacuated. This pore blockage is similar to that of pollution.
The obstruction of the pores will generate the famous blackheads, these are the famous blackheads which remain blackheads or which transform into white spots, large pimples or various cysts (1). To limit blackheads on your face, it is therefore necessary to ensure that you use non-comedogenic products.
If you have acne-prone skin, acne-prone skin, blemishes or simply oily skin, pay extra attention! Worry about whether your beauty products are comedogenic or non-comedogenic, it is mandatory otherwise you will see the number of your spots increase.
Be careful though, using non-comedogenic products does not mean that you will get rid of your acne every time. It is possible that your acne is of the hormonal type, in which case non-comedogenic products will at best reduce the number of your pimples but in no case eliminate them completely.
We also invite you to consult our acne tips.
Which acne products are affected by comedogens?
Identifying a comedogenic ingredient is important because it may be at the root of your acne problems. But where can we find these comedogenic ingredients? This applies to all care or beauty products that come into contact with your skin.
It would therefore seem important to pay attention to it whether it is a moisturizer, a foundation, makeup, a BB cream, a makeup base, a concealer, 'a foundation powder, etc. Remember to check all your products carefully! An acne cream can even contain a comedogenic composition, which is a shame but it's possible!
Products that are rinseable and do not stay on the skin will be less likely to cause blackheads because they are rinseable. We are talking here about rinseable lotions, cleansers, makeup removers and even masks.
Consequently, favor natural products such as rice powder or tea (see homemade anti-acne masks) but also vegans to limit ingredients that may cause acne.
Choosing your beauty products for acne and without comedogenic substances
Contrary to popular belief, makeup does not aggravate acne, however it is important to learn to select products without comedogenic substances. If you look at the INCI list of your beauty products or those found in stores, you will notice that many of them contain comedogenic ingredients. For this reason, also discover our article on 10 Acne Commandments.
If the ingredient concerned is in minute concentration it will be less disturbing than if it is the main ingredient. Knowing that the ingredients at the beginning of the list are those which are the most present compared to the ingredients at the end of the list.
To put it simply, we avoid buying a product if:
- A comedogenic ingredient is among the first ingredients. There, the effect of the comedogen will directly affect your acne.
- 2 or 3 comedogenic ingredients appear in the middle of the list or at the beginning of the list.
- There are more than 3 comedogenic ingredients in the composition.
The comedogenic index of the ingredients, watch out for your acne!
In this article we give you a list of (2) comedogenic ingredients and their comedogenic power on a scale of 1 to 5, therefore effect on acne. In addition, we would like to point out that there are several lists and that these lists are different.
Yes, unfortunately, to date, if certain ingredients are undoubtedly comedogenic, other ingredients, however, do not bring together professionals. This is the case with coconut oil. You will see its rating of 4 out of 5 in the list below, making it a highly comedogenic ingredient. However, in other lists, its index is lower. Some people also recommend this oil in the treatment of acne.
A list of ingredients and their comedogenic scale
0 = non-comedogenic and 5 = comedogenic.
This list is not exhaustive.
A
Acetylated Lanolin 4
Algae Extract 5
Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol 4
Algin 4
Allantoin 0
Almond Oil 2
Aloe vera gel 0
Aminomethylpropionate 0
Anhydrous Lanolin 0-1
Apricot Kernel Oil 2
Arachidic Acid 2
Ascorbic Acid 0
Ascorbyl Palmitate 2
Avocado Oil 2
Azulene 2
B
Beeswax 0-2
Behenic Acid 0
Behenyl Triglyceride 0
Bentonite 0
Benzaldehyde 2
Benzoic Acid 2
Beta Carotene 1
BHA 2
Black Walnut Extract 0
Butylene Glycol 1
Bubussa Oil 1
Butyl Stearate 3
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 2
C
Cajeput Oil 2
Calendula 1
Camphor 2
Candelilla Wax 1
Capric Acid 2
Caprylic Acid 1
Carbomer 0
Carbomer 940 1
Carboxypropylcellulose 1
Carmen 0
Carnuba Wax 1
Carotene 1
Carrageenan 5
Castor Oil 1
Ceresin Wax 0
Cetearyl Alcohol 2
Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20 4
Cetyl Acetate 4
Cetyl Alcohol 2
Chamomile 2
Chamomile Extract 0
Chaulomoogra Oil 1
Cholesterol 0
Chromium Hydroxide 0
Cocoa Butter 4
coconut oil 4
Cold Pressed Aloe Vera 0
Colloidal Sulfur 3
Corn Oil 2
Cotton Seed Oil 3
Cyclomethicone 0
D
D & C Red
17 3
19 2
21 3
3 3
30 3
33 1
36 3
4 1
6 1
7 1
9 1
7 2
40 2
Decyl Oleate 3
Deionized Water 0
Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 0
Diisopropyl Adipate 0
Dimethicone 1
Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate 1
Dioctyl Succinate 3
Disodium Monooleamido PEG 2-Sulfosuccinate 4
E
Emulsifying Wax NF 0-2
Ethylhexyl Palmitate 4
Ethoxylated Lanolin 3
Ethyl Ether 0
Ethyl Paraben 0
Evening Primrose Oil 2
Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 0
Ethylene Glycol Monostearate 0
G
Glycerine 0
Glyceryls
Stearate NSE 1
Stearate SE 3
Tricapylo/Caprate 1
3-Diisosteate 4
H
Hexadecyl Alcohol 5
Hexylene Glycol 2
Hydrolyzed Animal Protein 0
Hydantoin 0
Hydrogenated Castor Oil 1
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil 3
Hydroxypropylcellulose 1
I
Iron Oxide 0
Isocetyl
Alcohol 4
Isocetyl Stearate 5
Isodecyl Oleate 4
isopropyl
Alcohol 0
Isostearate 5
Linolate 5
Myristate 5
Palmitate 4
Isostearate 4
Isostearyl Neopentanoate 3
JK
Jojoba Oil 0
Kaolin 0
L
Lanolin Alcohol 0-2
Lanolin Oil 1
Laureth 23 3
Laureth 4 5
Lanolin Wax 1
Lauric Acid 4
Lithium Stearate 1
M
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0
Magnesium Stearate 1
Menthyl Anthranilate 0
Myristyl Myristate 5
Methyl Paraben 0
Mineral Oil 5
Myristic Acid 3
Myristyl Lactate 4
O
Octyls
Dimethyl PABA 0
Methoxycinnimate 0
Palmitate 4
Salicylate 0
Stearate 5
dodecyl Stearate 0
Oleth-3 5
Oleth-10 2
Olive Oil 2
Oleyl Alcohol 4
Oxybenzone 0
P
PEGs
40 Castor Oil 0
100 Distearate 2
100 Stearate 1
150 Distearate 2
16 Lanolin 4
20 Stearate 1
200 Dilaurate 3
5 Soy Sterol 0
10 Soy Sterol 0
75 Lanolin 0
8 Stearate 3
PGs
Caprylate/Caprate 1
Dipelargonate 2
Monostearate 3
Dicaprylate/Caprate 1
Dipelargonate 2
PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate 4
PPG 30 Cety Ester 0
Palmitic Acid 2
Panthenol 0
Papain 0
Peanut Oil 2
Pentarythrital Tetra Capra/Caprylate 0
Pentarythrital Tetra Isostearate 2
Petrolatum 5
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400) 1
Polyethylene Glycol 300 1
Potassium Chloride 5
Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate 4
Polysorbate 20 0
Polysorbate 80 0
Propylene Glycol 0
Propylene Glycol Monostearate 4
RS
Red Algae 5
SD Alcohol 40 0
Safflower Oil 0
Sandelwood Seed Oil 2
Sesame Oil 2
Shark Liver Oil 3
Sodiums
Chloride (Salt) 5
Hyaluronate 0
Laureth Sulfate 3
Lauryl Sulfate 5
PCA 0
Sorbitan
Laurate 1
Oleat 3
Sesquinoleate 0
Stearate 0
Sorbitol 0
Soy Sterol 0
Soybean Oil 0
Squalane 3
steareth
Sterol Esters 0
10 1
100 4
2 2
20 2
Stearic Acid 2 & Stearic Acid Tea 3
Stearyl Heptanoate 4
Sulfates
Castor Oil 3
Jojoba Oil 3
Sunflower Oil 0
Stearyl Heptanoate 4
T
Talc 1
Titanium Dioxide 0
Tocopheryl Acetate 0
Tridectyl Neopentanoate 0
Triethanolamine 2
UZ
Ultramarine Purple 0
Vitamin A Palmitate 2
Wheat Germ Glyceride 3
Wheat Germ Oil 5
Xylene 4
Zinc Oxide 1
Zinc Stearate 0
Indeed, we understand that comedogens can be very bad for acne. In this regard, if you have other questions about acne or the Akno Natura skincare range, see our Acne Questions page where we answer all of our customers' questions.
sources:
(1) Acne Info, https://dermato-info.fr
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