Or, rather, clogged pores happen more often to some of us than others. Clogged pores happen when oil doesn\u2019t or can\u2019t flow through them as it should, explains board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. \u201cTypically, this is caused by the overproduction of oil that then becomes trapped by dead cells that haven\u2019t properly shed from the lining of the pore. Makeup, dirt, and\/or comedogenic ingredients can also block the pore, and prevent that flow of oil through it,\u201d she says.\n\n\n\n
Comedogenic is essentially a word for pore-clogging, and while these types of ingredients aren\u2019t the sole cause of acne and breakouts\u2014there are several factors\u2014they certainly won\u2019t help the situation. \u201cPore-clogging ingredients make it much more likely that pimples will form,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. \u201cIn someone who has naturally oily skin or who harbors the bacteria that causes acne, using these ingredients is like adding gas to the fire. It\u2019s a dangerous combination that can exacerbate acne and cause consistent breakouts.\u201d\n\n\n\n
So what exactly makes an ingredient likely to clog your pores? Long answer short: We don\u2019t really know for sure. \u201cComedogenicity isn\u2019t entirely understood,\u201d Yadav says. \u201cIn some cases, ingredients can interact poorly with your sebum, making it thicker, while other ingredients are too thick for sebum to pass through.\u201d To that point, pore-clogging ingredients are typically occlusive, adds board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD. They sit on top of the skin, forming a seal that ends up trapping oil, particularly when someone has oily skin to start. Palm also points out that some pore-clogging ingredients add more oils to the skin, causing cells to stick together and adhere more tightly instead of sloughing off as they typically should from the lining of the pore.\n\n\n\n
Now that you understand why comedogenic ingredients can increase your breakouts, it\u2019s time to learn which ones specifically to consider avoiding. Ahead, read all about seven pore-clogging ingredients dermatologists say are worth steering clear of if you\u2019re prone to acne.\n\n\n\n
oconut Oil
All three dermatologists we spoke with called out coconut oil as a common offender. \u201cWhile it has a variety of health benefits, it\u2019s highly comedogenic, especially when applied on the the face,\u201d Palm explains. \u201cBecause it isn\u2019t easily absorbed [into] the skin, it can trap bacteria and dead skin cells, making it detrimental for those who are acne-prone.\u201d\n\n\n\n
Petroleum Jelly
Commonly known as Vaseline and used in the viral TikTok slugging trend, petroleum jelly is one ingredient you\u2019ll definitely want to skip if you\u2019re always battling breakouts. It\u2019s very thick, sitting on the surface of the skin and can cause a \u201ctraffic jam\u201d in the pore, leading to oil and dead cell buildup that can ultimately turn into a pimple, Yadav cautions.\n\n\n\n
Cocoa Butter
As a general rule of thumb, ingredients with high concentrations of oleic acid, a fatty acid, tend to be more comedogenic, Yadav tells us. This is why cocoa butter can cause issues, as it\u2019s very high in oleic acid, she explains. Top tip: If you\u2019re looking for an alternative that\u2019s just as moisturizing but won\u2019t clog pores, Palm recommends shea butter, which is non-comedogenic.\n\n\n\n
Silicone
More often found in makeup than skincare\u2014specifically in primers\u2014as well as haircare like conditioners and masks, silicone is highly comedogenic, according to Palm. In checking for it on the ingredient label, make sure you\u2019re also looking for and steering clear of its derivatives, including cyclomethicone and dimethicone.\n\n\n\n
Lanolin
\u201cThis is yet another occlusive ingredient that creates a film over the dermal layer, trapping dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil within the pores, which can worsen acne and breakouts,\u201d Palm explains. Nazarian also cites it as one of the more common pore-clogging ingredients out there.\n\n\n\n
Flaxseed Oil
A high concentration of oleic acid is also to blame for this oil\u2019s comedogenicity. Yadav says grapeseed oil is a good alternative, equally nourishing for the skin but\n\n\n\n
Marula Oil
\u201cThis ranks about a three or four on the comedogenicity scale, meaning it\u2019s not suitable for those with acne-prone skin,\u201d Palm explains. Swap it for squalane instead. \u201cTypically derived from olives, it\u2019s intensely nourishing to the skin and is biomimetic, meaning it behaves similarly to your skin\u2019s natural oils and won\u2019t congest the pore,\u201d Yadav says, adding that it\u2019s also a good substitute for coconut oil.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"