We all enjoy experimenting with skincare and cosmetics, but how many times have you awoken to a newly formed blemish after a long day of wearing it? Probably one day far too many! Furthermore, if you have sensitive skin, certain substances can aggravate the condition by causing flare-ups. With non-comedogenic products, you can put those problems behind you! Non-comedogenic is a technical term you should know for your morning and evening skin care regimens at a time when customers are asking more and more questions about the items they put on their faces.
What does the word ‘Non-comedogenic’ really mean?
Non-comedogenic is a word that refers to skincare and makeup products that are not likely to induce pore blockages (comedones) or breakouts. It is primarily used to refer to skincare and cosmetics. If you suffer from acne, blackheads, or clogged pores, switching to non-comedogenic products can help you avoid breakouts.
Who should use them?
People with oily skin have a tendency to break out frequently as a result of clogged pores. This is due to the fact that sebaceous glands produce more sebum than other skin types, and the skin may not be able to manage excess sebum as effectively as it should. The natural oil then reacts with dead skin cells, creating a situation in which bacteria already present on the epidermis can move into the hair follicle and cause acne to form. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, non-comedogenic creams are a better choice because they are less likely to clog pores. They may potentially lessen the possibilities of creating or hastening the onset of acne. It is recommended to avoid specific substances if you want to pursue the non-comedogenic way with your routine. It should be free of heavy oils like mineral oil and avocado oil, as well as silicone-based compounds like Dimethicone and other chemicals ending in 'cone. It has to be a water-based composition with no petroleum-based ingredients.
What ingredients to look for?
The way a product feels is not always a good indicator of whether or not it is non-comedogenic. Some very emollient, greasy-feeling products do not include comedogenic chemicals, while others are very light. If you are a label reader, you might find it interesting to look up the comedogenicity of the components in your products. Non-comedogenic ingredients are those that have a score of 2 or less. Ingredients that are useful for mild acne are Benzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Salicylic Acid and Sulfur. Non-comedogenic oils, which do not clog pores and keep dry skin supple while keeping oily skin acne-free, are another important element to search for in your face care products. Oils such as Grapeseed, Hempseed, Sunflower, Neem and Sweet Almond are non-comedogenic oils that can be used as skin moisturisers or as carriers for essential oils. Although oils are sometimes portrayed as pore-clogging, she claims that some are actually incredibly moisturising and help to maintain the skin clear and plump. Here are a few products with these ingredients that will not clog your pores.
- Neemli Naturals Glycolic & Salicylic Acid Serum
This serum works hand in hand to clean clogged pores, blackheads, and acne, resulting in skin that is clearer, brighter, and more radiant.
- Thyme Organic Oil Control Face Wash
It contains Frankincense, Grape, and Ginger extracts, which help to reduce oil, blackheads, and acne. Salicylic acid, in combination with Willow Bark, Neem, and Tea Tree extract, works as an antimicrobial to treat acne.
This glow oil serum is a beautiful blend of organic seed oils that work synergistically to restore and nourish skin, including Sunflower, Jojoba, Geranium, Vitamin E, and Peach oil.
What ingredients to avoid?
The thicker the product, the worse it is for acne-prone skin. Avoid emollients like Cetyl Acetate, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Lauric Acid, and other comedogenic ingredients. Cocoa butter, almond oil, and avocado oil are all huge no-nos. The list of ingredients that cause problems is long, and it includes Isopropyl Myristate and derivatives, such as:
- Isopropyl Palmitate
- Isopropyl Isostearate
- Butyl Stearate
- Isostearyl Neopentanoate
- Myristyl Myristate
- Decyl Oleate
- Octyl Stearate
- Octyl Palmitate
- Isocetyl Stearate
Propylene Glycol-2 (PPG-2) Myristyl Propionate
Lanolins, especially:
- Acetylated
- Ethoxylated Lanolins
- D&C red dyes
Obviously, searching product labels for these difficult-to-pronounce substances is a time-consuming and unrealistic job, but if something you have used on your skin has resulted in a severe breakout, this list may come in handy.
Hype or necessity?
“Non-comedogenic" is a phrase that is not used in medicine. It is more of a marketing term, comparable to 'clean makeup. The term is not subject to any government guidelines or regulations. While lower comedogenicity scores may indicate a lesser danger, it is still possible that a non-comedogenic substance will clog your pores. Although the comedogenicity scale, a scale that ranks the possibility of specific substances used in product formulations, such as oils and butters, which can clog pores. It ranks products from zero to five;
0- will not clog pores at all
1- low chances of clogging pores
2- moderately low chances of clogging pores
3- moderate chances of clogging pores
4- fairly high chances of clogging pores
5- high chances of clogging pores
However, it is not always just the ingredients, their quantity and quality, how they are combined, all play a part. Using comedogenicity as a guideline, and not a guarantee is advisable. However, it is well worth the effort to achieve blemish-free results. And, because every skin type and texture is different, always do a patch test and use a trial-and-error process to figure out what works best for you.
-Nishita Tahalramani
