Is This Ingredient Acne-Safe?

Search 856 cosmetic ingredients. See comedogenic ratings, irritant scores, and safety notes — instantly.

Try: niacinamide, coconut oil, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone

Database at a Glance

856
Ingredients rated
16
Categories covered
60%
Rated safe (0)
133
Rated risky (3–5)
0 — Safe
0
516
1 — Slightly
1
109
2 — Moderately
2
98
3 — Fairly
3
67
4 — Highly
4
44
5 — Severely
5
22

Browse by Category

Click any category to see all ingredients in that group.

How Comedogenic Ratings Work

Comedogenic ratings measure how likely a cosmetic ingredient is to clog your pores. The scale was developed by dermatologists Dr. James Fulton and Dr. Albert Kligman, who tested individual ingredients using the rabbit ear assay — applying concentrated ingredients to rabbit ears and observing follicular reactions over several weeks.

RatingMeaningWhat it means for you
0Non-comedogenicWill not clog pores. Safe for acne-prone skin.
1Slightly comedogenicVery low risk. Most people tolerate these well.
2Moderately comedogenicLow-to-moderate risk. Generally safe, but patch-test if acne-prone.
3Fairly comedogenicModerate risk. Acne-prone skin should be cautious.
4Highly comedogenicHigh risk of clogging pores. Avoid in leave-on products if acne-prone.
5Severely comedogenicVery high risk. Known pore-clogger. Best avoided entirely if acne-prone.

Important context: These ratings test pure ingredients at full concentration. In a finished product, a rating-2 ingredient at 0.5% concentration may cause zero issues. Formulation matters. Use these ratings as a screening tool, not an absolute rule — and always patch-test products on your own skin.

The irritant rating (also 0–5) is separate from comedogenicity. An ingredient can be non-comedogenic but still cause redness, stinging, or sensitization. We show both when available.

Ingredients marked "disputed" have conflicting data across studies — different labs got different results. Take those ratings as approximate guidance rather than definitive scores.

Check a Whole Product at Once

TruHue scans all ingredients in a product automatically — plus tells you which shades match your skin tone. Comedogenic check, color match, and dupe finder in one tap.

Try TruHue Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What does comedogenic mean?
Comedogenic means an ingredient tends to clog pores (comedones). Ingredients are rated 0 to 5, where 0 is non-comedogenic and 5 is severely comedogenic. The scale was developed through laboratory testing by dermatologists Dr. James Fulton and Dr. Albert Kligman.
What is the Fulton comedogenicity scale?
The Fulton scale is a 0-to-5 rating system based on the rabbit ear assay — applying concentrated ingredients to rabbit ears and measuring follicular response. While the methodology has limitations (human skin differs from rabbit ears, and real products use ingredients at lower concentrations), it remains the most widely cited comedogenicity reference in dermatology and cosmetic chemistry.
Should I avoid all comedogenic ingredients?
Not necessarily. Comedogenicity ratings test pure ingredients at high concentrations. In a finished product, a rating-2 ingredient at 0.5% may cause no issues. Many dermatologists consider 0-2 generally safe. If you are acne-prone, focus on avoiding ratings 3-5, especially in leave-on products like moisturizers, primers, and foundations. Rinse-off products (cleansers, masks) are less concerning since they don't stay on skin.
What is the difference between comedogenic and irritant ratings?
Comedogenic ratings measure pore-clogging potential — how likely an ingredient is to cause blackheads and whiteheads. Irritant ratings measure how likely it is to cause redness, stinging, burning, or inflammation. An ingredient can score 0 for comedogenicity but 4 for irritation (like some exfoliating acids), or 4 for comedogenicity but 0 for irritation. Both scores matter, especially for sensitive or reactive skin.
Are natural oils always comedogenic?
No — comedogenicity depends on fatty acid composition, not whether an oil is natural or synthetic. Argan oil (0), hemp seed oil (0), and sunflower seed oil (0) are non-comedogenic. Coconut oil (4), wheat germ oil (5), and cocoa butter (4) are highly comedogenic. Always check the specific ingredient rather than assuming "natural = safe" or "natural = risky."
What does "fungal acne safe" mean?
Fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) is caused by yeast overgrowth, not bacteria. Certain ingredients — particularly fatty acids and esters with carbon chain lengths of 11 to 24 — feed malassezia yeast and worsen fungal acne. An ingredient marked "fungal acne safe" does not feed this yeast. If you suspect fungal acne, look for products where every ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Why are some ingredients marked "disputed"?
Some ingredients have received different comedogenic ratings across different studies or labs. This can happen because of differences in testing methodology, ingredient concentration, purity, or formulation context. When an ingredient is marked "disputed," treat the rating as approximate guidance. Patch-testing on your own skin is the most reliable way to know how you will react.
Can I paste a full ingredient list to check all at once?
This page checks one ingredient at a time. For full product ingredient list analysis, try the TruHue app — it scans all ingredients in a product automatically and flags any comedogenic concerns alongside your color match results. Try it free.