Ingredient list › Cetyl Acetate
Is Cetyl Acetate comedogenic?
Cetyl Acetate is an emollient ester that gives products a smooth, silky feel. Its comedogenicity rating is 3/5 — moderate pore-clogging risk.
Cetyl Acetate has a moderate chance of clogging pores. Plenty of people tolerate it, but if you break out easily it is worth watching — particularly if it is one of the first few ingredients listed.
What is Cetyl Acetate?
Cetyl Acetate is an emollient ester that gives products a smooth, silky feel. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: cetyl acetate.
Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe? No — this is a common Malassezia (fungal acne) trigger, so avoid it if you have fungal acne. Check a whole product for fungal-acne triggers →
Acne-safe alternatives to Cetyl Acetate
If Cetyl Acetate breaks you out, these lower-rated ester options are far less likely to clog pores:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — Low risk · 1/5
- Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate — Low risk · 1/5
- Coco-Caprylate — Low risk · 1/5
- Diisopropyl Adipate — Low risk · 1/5
- Glyceryl Stearate — Low risk · 1/5
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.