Comedogenic Ingredient Checker

Paste any product's ingredient list and get a comedogenicity rating (0–5) for every ingredient we recognise — so you can spot pore-clogging formulas before you buy.

Try a sample list
🔴 3–5 comedogenic🟡 1–2 low🟢 0 non-comedogenic
Note: Comedogenicity ratings are general guidance, not a medical assessment. Real-world effects depend on concentration, the full formula and your skin. Not medical advice.

What is the comedogenic scale?

The comedogenic scale rates how likely an ingredient is to clog pores, from 0 (non-comedogenic) to 5 (highly comedogenic). It originated from studies applying ingredients to skin and observing comedone (clogged-pore) formation. A higher number means a greater chance of blackheads, whiteheads and breakouts for people with acne-prone skin.

How to read your results

Ingredients near the top of an INCI list are present in the highest concentration, so a comedogenic ingredient listed first matters more than one near the end. Use the ratings as a guide, not an absolute verdict — patch testing remains the most reliable way to know how your own skin reacts.

Common high-comedogenic ingredients

Frequent offenders include isopropyl myristate, coconut oil, cocoa butter, algae extract, lauric acid, wheat germ oil and certain D&C red dyes. You can browse the full comedogenic ingredients list or run the dedicated pore-clogging ingredient checker.