Ingredient list › Carrageenan
Is Carrageenan comedogenic?
Carrageenan is a thickener that controls a product's texture. Its comedogenicity rating is 5/5 — high pore-clogging risk.
Carrageenan sits high on the comedogenic scale. For acne-prone or breakout-prone skin it is one of the ingredients most likely to block pores and contribute to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples, especially when it appears near the top of an ingredient list (higher concentration).
What is Carrageenan?
Carrageenan is a thickener that controls a product's texture. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: carrageenan, chondrus crispus.
Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe? Yes — it is not on common Malassezia trigger lists. Check a whole product for fungal-acne triggers →
Acne-safe alternatives to Carrageenan
If Carrageenan breaks you out, these lower-rated thickener options are far less likely to clog pores:
- Carbomer — Acne safe · 0/5
- Hydroxyethylcellulose — Acne safe · 0/5
- Sclerotium Gum — Acne safe · 0/5
- Xanthan Gum — Acne safe · 0/5
How to read this rating
A comedogenicity rating is general guidance, not a lab result for a specific formula. An ingredient near the end of an ingredient list is present in a small amount, so its rating matters less than one near the top. Read our full sources & methodology.