It is listed on lots of makeup and skincare, but what does non-comedogenic mean? I'm here to explain how non-comedogenic beauty products can help your skin and what to look out for.
What does Non-Comedogenic Mean?
Comedogenic ingredients are those that can clog up your pores and result in comedones, potentially causing the development of blemishes and worsening of acne.
Non-Comedogenic ingredients have been specially formulated so that they do not clog your pores, making them perfect if you are prone to breakouts or suffer from acne.
Using makeup or skincare with Comedogenic ingredients will continue to make breakouts worse, starting a vicious cycle of trying to cover congestion with products that cause it.
Comedogenic ingredients are used in a variety of products from makeup and sunscreen to cleansers and moisturisers and therefore it is essential that you are aware of these when you are selecting products.
Comedogenic Ingredients to Watch Out For
Comedogenic ingredients are usually classified with different levels. Some are strongly comedogenic and others less likely to cause problems.
The fact that all of us tend differently to ingredients is why this is the case; what works for one person might trigger breakouts in another. You may find all of these ingredients fine on your skin but there are still some ingredients that are strongly linked with causing breakouts.
When looking at ingredients, look at what is in the first few ingredients, as ingredients are listed in order of quantity. If a comedogenic ingredient is at the end of a list, the quantity is likely to be so small as to not cause issues for most people.
So, the main ingredients to watch out for are:
- Isopropyl Isostearate
- Myristyl Myristate
- Acetylated Lanolin
- Coconut butter/oil
- Cocoa butter
What to use instead?
The easiest way to avoid comedogenic beauty products is to look for those that are marked as oil-free or non-comedogenic. If they haven't got that information, then take a look at the ingredients and watch out for the products above.
Makeup
If you are using full coverage foundations and powders, avoid using them all over your face, as this can exacerbate problems.
Instead, look for a concealer to cover the problem areas and then a lighter coverage on the rest of your skin. NARS and Vichy Dermablend concealers are a great choice.
Skincare
Always, remember to cleanse and remove your makeup fully – even on days when you are not wearing much. Unclogging and cleansing can take time and it is recommended that you make a habit of cleansing daily.
Avoid using harsh scrubs as these can aggravate and sensitise your skin. Instead use gentle cleansers alongside AHA or BHA exfoliaters to help remove excess oils and dirt.
