Ingredient list › Polysorbate 80
Is Polysorbate 80 comedogenic?
Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in a formula. Its comedogenicity rating is 1/5 — a very low pore-clogging risk.
Polysorbate 80 has a very low likelihood of clogging pores and is generally considered safe for acne-prone skin.
What is Polysorbate 80?
Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in a formula. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: polysorbate 80.
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 →
Similar acne-safe ingredients
Polysorbate 80 is already a low-risk choice. Other acne-safe options you may see alongside it include:
- Cetearyl Glucoside — Acne safe · 0/5
- Polysorbate 20 — Acne safe · 0/5
- Hydrogenated Lecithin — Low risk · 1/5
- PEG-100 Stearate — Low risk · 1/5
- PEG-150 Distearate — 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.