Ingredient list › Hexadecyl Alcohol
Is Hexadecyl Alcohol comedogenic?
Hexadecyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol used to soften skin and thicken formulas. Its comedogenicity rating is 5/5 — high pore-clogging risk.
Hexadecyl Alcohol 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 Hexadecyl Alcohol?
Hexadecyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol used to soften skin and thicken formulas. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: hexadecyl alcohol.
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 Hexadecyl Alcohol
If Hexadecyl Alcohol breaks you out, these lower-rated fatty alcohol options are far less likely to clog pores:
- Behenyl Alcohol — Low risk · 1/5
- Squalane — Low risk · 1/5
- Glycerin — Acne safe · 0/5
- Niacinamide — Acne safe · 0/5
- Hyaluronic Acid — 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.