Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Acne-Prone Skin
By Sarina Rubin
June 02, 2025
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If your skin breaks out even when you’re “doing everything right,” one sneaky culprit might still be flying under your radar: pore-clogging ingredients in your skincare products, makeup products, or even personal care products like shampoo or conditioner.
Even products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “for sensitive skin” can contain an acne-causing ingredient that contributes to breakouts and keeps your skin from calming down. That’s why checking labels isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Let’s break down why ingredient awareness matters so much, how to spot pore-cloggers, and what you can do to make smarter, skin-supportive choices.
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What Are Pore-Clogging Ingredients?
Pore-clogging ingredients—also known as comedogenic ingredients—are substances that tend to block pores and trap oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria inside. That buildup leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pimples.
Some clogging happens naturally, especially in areas with more active hair follicles or naturally oily skin. But when your skincare products add extra congestion, breakouts can feel constant, cyclical, and hard to control.
Why This Matters for Acne-Prone Skin
If your skin is prone to breakouts, it’s also more sensitive to what sits on it—and sinks into it.
Here’s why this matters:
- Clogged pores = breakouts. Even small amounts of comedogenic ingredients can trigger acne when used daily.
- Cycle of confusion. You might think your acne is hormonal, stress-related, or dietary when it’s actually caused by ingredients in a common product you use daily.
- It’s not just skincare. Hair products, sunscreen, body lotion, and even laundry detergent residue on pillowcases can all play a role.
Good to Know: Even products meant for sensitive or oily skin can include ingredients with a high comedogenic rating—that’s why checking every ingredient label matters.
Common Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Watch Out For
Some pore-cloggers are easy to spot; others are hidden under less-familiar names. Keep in mind that fatty alcohols, fatty acids and even some natural products can be problematic depending on your skin type. Here are a few common pore-cloggers to look for:
- Isopropyl Myristate
- Isopropyl palmitate
- Coconut oil (and derivatives)
- Lanolin derivatives
- Algae extract
- Wheat germ oil
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Myristyl Myristate
- Cocoa butter
- Olive oil
- Castor oil
- Mineral oil
Good to Know: Not everyone will react to every pore-clogger—but for acne-prone skin, these are ingredients worth avoiding.
What “Non-Comedogenic” Doesn’t Always Mean
You’ve probably seen products labeled “non-comedogenic” and assumed they’re safe for acne-prone skin. But here’s the thing: no government agency oversees what products qualify, which gives skincare companies a lot of freedom. Brands can use the label even if a product contains ingredients that can clog pores—or hasn’t been tested on people with acne.
If you want a product that’s been clinically tested on acne-prone skin, look for the term non-acnegenic on the label.
Tip: Non-acnegenic means the product has been tested and shown not to cause acne in controlled trials. It’s a small but important distinction—especially if your skin is breakout-prone.
At banu, every formula is tested on acne-prone skin and made without any pore-clogging ingredients—so you don’t have to second-guess what’s going on your face.
How to Start Building an Acne-Safe Routine
If you suspect your products might be contributing to breakouts, here’s what to do:
Audit Your Routine
Start with the basics—cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and any leave-on treatments. Look up each one’s ingredient list to check for comedogenic ingredients, and consider cross-referencing them on a trusted comedogenic scale or comedogenic rating list. Take a second look at ingredient labels—even trusted over the counter acne medications can include a pore-clogging ingredient or two.
Don’t Forget Hair + Body
If you’re getting breakouts on your forehead, neck, back, or chest, your shampoo, conditioner, or body wash could be part of the problem. Some natural products, like deep conditioners and scalp oils, contain vegetable oils or lanolin derivatives, which can lead to breakouts on the body.
Swap Strategically
You don’t need to replace everything at once. Start with the products that stay on your skin the longest (like moisturizer or foundation), and go from there. Focus on finding the right products—not just new products—that match your needs and avoid the worst offenders.
Track What Works
Keep a short list of skincare products and makeup products that don’t break you out. Not only does it help you stay consistent, but it also makes it easier to avoid acne-causing ingredients when trying new products or building a routine with the right products for your skin type.
The Takeaway: Clearer Skin Starts With Clarity
If your breakouts feel unexplainable, unpredictable, or never-ending—it might be time to take a closer look at what’s actually in your products.
Checking for pore-clogging ingredients—and going one step further by seeking out products that are non-acnegenic—are two of the simplest, most empowering steps you can take toward clearer skin.
When your skincare is designed with acne-prone skin in mind from the start, you spend less time troubleshooting—and more time healing.