Comedogenic Definition And Meaning

Everything You Need To Know About Comedogenic Rating in Skincare

Will this product clog my pores? If you have oily skin, this is probably the first question that comes to your mind when shopping for skincare products. Especially when the products contain plant oils and butters. After all, you don’t want your products to give you any more clogged pores than you already have.
This is where comedogenic ratings come into play. Understanding the comedogenicity of various ingredients used in skincare can help you pick the right product for your skin type.

Comedogenic Rating In Skin Care Products

The term comedogenic refers to the likelihood of a cosmetic ingredient clogging skin pores. The ingredients may be either naturally occurring or created in a laboratory.
There is a general notion that all oils and butter are comedogenic and hence should be avoided. But that’s partially untrue. While some oils like coconut oil are definitely comedogenic in nature, there are others that are non-comedogenic. 
The comedogenic rating scale has been created to give ingredients used in skincare and haircare formulations a rank from 0-5 based on its likelihood to clog pores. 
Here's what each rank on  the comedogenic rating scale refers to:

• 0 – Unlikely to clog your pores
• 1 – Low chances of clogging your pores 
• 2 – Moderately low chances of clogging your pores
• 3 – Fair chance of clogging your pores
• 4 – High chances of clogging your pores
• 5 – Very likely to clog pores

Benefits Of Using Non-Comedogenic Products Over Comedogenic Products 

• Suitable For All Skin Types
  Every skin type has different needs and hence there are different types of skin care products available in the market.  One must use caution while choosing the right products for their skin.
  However, non-comedogenic products can benefit all skin types.
  While they are highly beneficial for oily skin, people with dry, combination or even sensitive skin can also use them to keep their pores clear and avoid any chances of clogged pores. 
• Prevents Acne And Blackheads
  Clogged pores are a breeding ground for the C. Acnes bacteria that causes acne. The bacteria feed off the oils trapped within the pores and multiply rapidly leading to acne.
  So applying comedogenic oils or moisturisers to acne-prone or oily skin may worsen the situation. Hence, using non-comedogenic products is crucial if you have oily and acne-prone skin. 
• Balance Sebum Levels
  Non-comedogenic products are formulated only using oils with low comedogenic ratings. So they will help moisturise your skin without leading to pore-clogging. In fact, certain non-comedogenic, cold-pressed oils like hemp seed or rosehip oil have the ability to regulate overall sebum production by balancing the fatty acid composition. 

How To Avoid Pore-Clogging Comedogenic Ingredients 

The best way to avoid buying pore-clogging comedogenic ingredients in your skincare routine is by reading the ingredients list carefully. You can also easily look up individual ingredients on the internet and check for their comedogenic ratings.
However, ingredients with a high comedogenic rating when used in low concentrations in a formulation may not have a comedogenic effect on the skin. So while shopping for products, look for the “non-comedogenic” label under product descriptions.

Juicy Chemistry's Range of Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils

• Cold Pressed Tamanu Carrier Oil:
  A skin regenerating oil with high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties that helps with acne and blemishes.
• Cold Pressed Grape Seed Carrier Oil:
  A lightweight oil rich in antioxidants that help balance oily skin and moisturise the skin.
• Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Carrier Oil:
  A soothing and nourishing oil for oily acne-prone skin rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Cold Pressed Rosehip Seed Carrier Oil:
  A vitamin C-rich oil that helps reduce the appearance of scarring, hyperpigmentation &  sun damage.

All JC oils are certified organic by Ecocert France as per COSMOS V3 standards.

FAQs

1. Does high viscosity mean that oil is comedogenic? 
   No, the thickness of oil does not relate to its comedogenicity. For eg, Castor oil has a comedogenic rating of just 1 despite high viscosity.
2. Do I need to use non-comedogenic ingredients if I have dry skin?
   For dry skin, most oils suit well despite their comedogenic rating. So go ahead if the oil works for you.
3. Why is non-comedogenic oil breaking me out?
   Non-comedogenic oils, despite their rating, can be comedogenic to certain individuals. So always conduct a patch test before use.
4. Can comedogenic oils in rinse-off products clog pores?
   The chances of rinse-off products such as cold-pressed soaps made with coconut oil clogging pores are extremely low.