Virtually everyone uses some sort of cosmetic or toiletry product, whether that is makeup, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, skin care products, toothpaste, soaps, lotions… The list goes on and on. Many of these products contain comedogenic ingredients, often producing acne cosmetica. This type of acne can take up to several months to develop.
By using the list below as a guide for purchasing products, you can find products that are safer for your skin.
The list rates specific ingredients from 5-0, with 0 being the least acne producing and 5 being the most acne producing. We recommend not buying anything containing ingredients from 3, 4, and 5. 0 and 1 are your best options.
RANK 5 INGREDIENTS
- isopropyl isostearate
- isopropyl myristate
- myristyl myristate
- oleth-3
- laureth-4
RANK 4 INGREDIENTS
- acetylated lanolin
- acetylated lanolin alcohol
- PEG 16 lanolin (solulan 16)
- lauric acid
- isopropyl palmitate
- isostearyl isostearate
- myristyl lactate
- stearyl heptanoate
- cetearyl alcohol/ceteareth 20
- cocoa butter
- coconut butter
RANK 3 INGREDIENTS
- myristic acid
- buytl stearate
- decyl stearate
- isostearyl neopentanoate
- glyceryl stearate SE
- wheat germ glyceride
- laureth-23
- mink oil
- soybean oil
- shark liver oil
- D&C red #30
- stearic acid: TEA
RANK 2 INGREDIENTS
- palmitic acid
- stearic acid
- ascorbytl palmitate
- cetyl alcohol
- cetearyl alcohol
- stearyl alcohol
- PG dipelargonate
- oleth-10
- anhydrous lanolin (0-2)
- beeswax (0-2)
- jojoba oil (0-2)
- emulsifying wax NF (0-2)
- sesame oil
- corn oil
- avocado oil
- evening primrose oil
- apricot kernel oil
- D&C red #27
- tocopherol
- vitamin A palmitate
- triethanolamine
RANK 1 INGREDIENTS
- anhydrous lanolin (0-1)
- PG dicaprylate/caprate
- sorbitan laureate
- glyceryl stearate NSE
- polyethylene glycol
- PEG 20 stearate
- candelilla wax
- carnuba wax
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- carbomer 940
- talc
- castor oil
- squalane
- D&C red #6
- D&C red #9
- simethicone
- dimethicone
- lithium stearate
- magnesium stearate
- zinc oxide
RANK 0 INGREDIENTS
- PEG 75 lanolin
- behenic acid
- diisopropyl adipate
- octyldodecyl stearate
- tridecyl neopentanoate
- SD alcohol 40
- isopropyl alcohol
- propylene glycol
- sorbitol
- sorbitan laureate
- sorbitan sesquinoleate
- sorbitan stearate
- polysorbate 20
- polysorbate 80
- glycerin
- pentartythrital tetra capra/caprilate
- PPG 30 acetyl ester
- PEG 40 castor oil
- carboxymethylcellulose
- magnesium aluminum silicate
- bentonite
- kaolin
- safflower oil
- sunflower oil
- mineral oil
- ultramarine violet
- iron oxides
- carmine
- titanium dioxide
- cyclomethicone
- cholesterol
- soya sterol
- PEG 5 soya sterol
- PEG 10 soya sterol
- choleth 24
- sterol esters
- tocopheryl acetate
- black walnut extract
- panthenol
- methyl paraben
- propyl paraben
- allantoin
- hydantoin
- sodium hyaluronate
- octyl dimethyl PABA
- oxybenzone
- octyl methoxycinnamate
- octyl salicylate
- zinc stearate
- sodium PCA
- hydrolyzed animal protien
Phew! If you made it to the bottom of the list, congrats! You deserve a pat on the back.
