Before slathering anything on your skin or hair, check the ingredients. Even if the label shouts “won’t clog pores” or “noncomedogenic,” don’t trust it blindly. There’s no big boss overseeing this, so skincare brands can claim their products are skin-friendly while sneaking in pore-clogging stuff.
In the fancy world of skincare – be it professional, natural, organic, or anti-acne – pore-clogging ingredients are a thing. Nobody’s keeping a close eye, so brands can say their stuff is all about clear skin while slipping in pore-clogging troublemakers.
Some ingredients sound awesome but are skin trouble in disguise. Think natural oils like cocoa butter and coconut oil, often found in “organic” skincare. They’re not friends with acne-prone skin. Other oils like jojoba, olive, and lanolin can also cause issues when mixed with other pore-clogging stuff.
Even prescription goodies like Retin-A cream can be sneaky with isopropyl myristate, a big-time pore-clogger. Some over-the-counter acne helpers are no angels either. And don’t bet your skin on “oil-free” labels – they might not be as safe as they sound.
Here’s a cheat sheet of common troublemakers that can make acne throw a tantrum:
Watch Out for These Trouble-Causers:
- Acetylated Lanolin
- Algae Extract
- Butyl Stearate
- Carrageenan
- Chlorella
- Coal Tar
- Colloidal Sulfur
- Cotton Awws Oil
- D & C Red # 17
- Decyl Oleate
- Dioctyl Succinate
- Ethoxylated Lanolin
- Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
- Isocetyl Alcohol
- Kelp
- Laureth-23
- Mink Oil
- Myristic Acid
- Oleth-3
So, when you’re picking skincare, play detective with the labels. Your skin will thank you for it!