Our skin has countless pores that secrete oil and sweat. These pores are important to regulate the temperature of the skin and maintain hydration. Some ingredients present in cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products can block these pores. These molecules mix with sebum and form a thick liquid, which becomes trapped and infected. This condition is called Clogged Pores.
Clogged pores are a problem in the skincare industry, and they are often overlooked by manufacturers and customers. It is imperative to understand that comedogenic products containing pore-clogging ingredients can do more harm than good for the skin. These pore-clogging ingredients can cause acne breakouts, blackheads, and uneven texture. The breakouts due to clogged pores can leave acne marks, which can take years to go away. Yes! That’s why it is important to be aware of pore-clogging ingredients.
It is important to know about pore-clogging ingredients, and you must also have a keen understanding of your skin. Every skin is different and reacts differently to various ingredients. Some ingredients might cause acne breakouts in some people while not affecting others.
Common Pore Cloggers Found in Beauty and Cosmetic Products
There are hundreds of pore-clogging ingredients that depend on the type of skin. Products labelled as ‘Non-Comedogenic’ can also clog pores in some people. So do not just rely on the labels; read the ingredient list and look for any Comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredient.
Here is a list of some common pore Cloggers found in beauty and cosmetic comedogenic products. This is not an all-inclusive list, but you can start by looking out for these ingredients. When the skin barrier function is compromised, comedogenic ingredients cause more damage.
- Acetylated lanolin
- Acetylated lanolin alcohol
- Butyl stearate
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Cetyl Acetate
- Coal Tar
- parabens
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
- Ethylhexyl palmitate
- Glyceryl-3-diisostearate
- Isocetyl alcohol
- Isopropyl isostearate
- Isopropyl linolate
- Isopropyl myristate
- Isopropyl palmitate
- Isostearic acid
- Isostearyl isostearate
- Laureth-4
- Lauric acid
- Lauric acid in sunflower oil
- Myristyl lactate
- Myristyl myristate
- Oleic acid
- Oleth-3
- Oleyl alcohol
- PEG 16 lanolin (solulan 16)
- Polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate
- PPG-2 myristyl propionate
- PPG 5 ceteth 10 phosphate
- Propylene glycol monostearate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Stearyl heptanoate
- Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
- Xylene
Using a Pore Clogging Ingredients Checker for Safer Product Choices
As mentioned above, the list of pore-clogging ingredients is quite long and can be overwhelming for many people. Therefore, there are some online ingredient checkers that are designed for end users to use easily. You can copy-paste the ingredients list of any product, and the pore clogger checker can flag any pore-clogging ingredient. Prolonged exposure may require intensive skin barrier repair treatments.
It is recommended that the ingredients of the desired product be run through these checkers for safer choices. However, it is to be kept in consideration that not every flagged ingredient is comedogenic for all skin types. The most susceptible skin types are oily, sensitive, and acne-prone.
You must remember that the authenticity of these checkers is also very important. Look for more reliable checkers and always check reviews on the website before making the final decision.
Role of Acne Ingredient Checkers in Preventing Breakouts
The role of acne-causing ingredient checkers is crucial in preventing breakouts. However, not many people know about these checkers. The skincare users mostly ignore the ingredient list on the back and trust the front label. This is not only a mistake, but it can also cost you your skin health.
The ingredients checkers are designed to flag any acne-causing ingredients. You have to paste the ingredients in the checker, and the pore clogger checker will highlight any comedogenic ingredients in the list. The pore-clogging ingredients checker can also provide guidance on which specific ingredients can cause breakouts for your skin type.
These ingredient checkers have given the end users the liberty to make informed choices. They also help us to combat false claims and labels by the brands. These tools are a great way to empower consumers.
The ingredient checkers can play an important role in attaining your skincare goals. You avoid skin-irritating and comedogenic ingredients. You can make safer choices for the betterment of your skin.
The biggest hurdle in the way of achieving a healthy and glowing skin is ingredients that do not suit your skin type, and by using an ingredient checker, you can avoid these ingredients.
Signs Your Skin Is Reacting to Pore-Clogging Ingredients
You might be wondering how to identify if my skin is reacting to a pore-clogging ingredient. Let’s dive into this in detail so that you can understand the difference between clogged pores and skin irritation. The most common signs of reaction to pore-clogging ingredients are discussed below.
Frequent breakouts
If you notice sudden and frequent breakouts after starting a new product, then it might be a sign of a pore-clogging ingredient.These breakouts mostly appear in the areas where you normally don’t have them.
Closed Comedones
Closed Comedones are tiny bumps that appear on the skin, especially in the T zone of the face. These bumps are skin coloured and can be a sign of clogged pores.
Blackheads
Blackheads are oxidized, clogged pores. These are commonly present on the T zone. However, using a pore-clogging ingredient can increase the occurrence of blackheads. They can also be present on the faces of people who do not cleanse their faces regularly.
Uneven Texture
The skin appears bumpy and uneven due to clogged pores and closed Comedones.
Redness
This is a sign that can be caused by either pore-clogging ingredients or irritants. If your skin is getting inflamed and red patches in the absence of the above-mentioned signs, then suspect sensitivity to the product, and if it occurs in combination with the above-mentioned ingredients, then it is a sign of clogged pores.
Itching
Itching and burning are not usual signs of clogged pores. If you are experiencing intense itching or burning, it needs immediate attention.
Choosing an Acne-Safe Ingredient Checker for Sensitive Skin
Now we have understood the importance of an acne-safe checker for sensitive skin as well as for all skin types. I am going to list down some markers and indicators that will help you choose the best acne ingredient checker out there. The internet is full of information and tools that might confuse some people. So here are some considerations for you before you test your product on an ingredient checker.
Expert Backed
Look for ingredient checkers that are expert-backed. The source of the pore clogging checker must be reputable and trustworthy, like SkinSAFE, which is backed by Mayo Clinic.
Clear information
There must be clear information about pore clogging and irritating ingredients. The pore clogging checker must differentiate between these two types of ingredients and also guide the skin type they are unsuitable for.
Comprehensive Ingredient Dictionary
A good should have a searchable ingredient dictionary. They should ideally have information and distinction between known irritants, allergens, and comedogenic ingredients.
Pore clogging ingredient list
Some ingredient checkers are specifically designed to identify and flag comedogenic and acne-causing ingredients like AcneClinicNYC.
Key Considerations for Checking Skincare Ingredients
To know the comedogenic ingredients, you can run your product’s ingredient list in a skincare ingredients checker tool available online for free. They will not only flag any pore-clogging ingredients, but they will also highlight possible irritants and allergens.
Here are some considerations that you should keep in mind when using an ingredient checker,
The ingredient list is mostly in the order of highest to lowest concentration. So a comedogenic ingredient at the top of the list means more trouble.
The ingredients checkers are very useful, but sometimes they can lack comprehensive information. Cross-checking the information is highly recommended.
These ingredients checkers are not a replacement for professionals. Consulting your dermatologist is recommended when starting a new skincare routine, especially for acne-prone skin.
FAQ's
Are all comedogenic ingredients bad for acne-prone skin?
Not all comedogenic ingredients are bad for all people with acne-prone skin. Mostly, the comedogenic ingredients will cause breakouts in most people with acne-prone skin, but it depends largely on concentration, formulation, and individual skin chemistry.
How do non-comedogenic checkers help in building an acne-safe skincare routine?
Non-comedogenic checkers are very helpful in building an acne-safe skincare routine. They flag any ingredient that might cause breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads. They can also filter ingredients that can cause irritation and inflammation.
How often should I check my skincare products for comedogenic ingredients?
You must check any new skincare products for comedogenic ingredients. You can do so by running the ingredient list in a non-comedogenic checker and doing a patch test under your arm or jawline. You do not have to recheck your products if you are already using them without any issue. However, if the brand changes formulation, then you must recheck it.
Can using a comedogenic ingredients checker help reduce future acne breakouts?
Yes, a comedogenic acne ingredient checker can help reduce future acne breakouts because it helps you identify any ingredient that might clog pores. These comedogenic ingredients are a major reason for acne breakouts.
Conclusion
In particular, pore-clogging ingredients are a major source of discord in skincare. Many famous and common ingredients like paraben, coconut oil, sodium lauryl sulphate, etc, are comedogenic. These ingredients are present in every other product, and they go unnoticed because of the lack of knowledge among consumers and the lack of awareness efforts done by brands.
In this era of social media and AI, it is easier to gain knowledge. Consumers are not only following skincare trends, but they are also learning about their ingredients. The hero ingredients like Vitamin C, Salicylic acid, Retinols, and peptides are gaining limelight. It's time to highlight the hidden culprits in the ingredient lists.
Pore-clogging ingredients can cause various skin problems like acne breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, bumpy, and uneven skin. All these problems not only take time to resolve, but they might also leave discolourations. These discolourations are one of the most stubborn skincare problems to deal with. So it is crucial to understand and acknowledge these comedogenic ingredients.
