Is Myristyl Lactate Comedogenic?
Comedogenic rating: 4/5 — Likely to clog pores
Myristyl Lactate is an emollient ester that gives products a smooth, silky slip and cushiony feel. In cosmetics it is typically found in moisturizers, foundations, lipsticks, primers and sunscreens.
| Comedogenic rating | 4/5 — Likely to clog pores |
|---|---|
| Pore-clogging | Likely |
| Fungal-acne safe | No — potential trigger |
| Category | Ester |
Is Myristyl Lactate comedogenic?
Yes — Myristyl Lactate is considered highly comedogenic, scoring 4 out of 5. That means it has a strong tendency to block pores and is a well-known trigger for closed comedones, blackheads and breakouts on acne-prone skin. If your skin is oily or congestion-prone, Myristyl Lactate is one of the ingredients most worth avoiding in leave-on facial products, though it can still be fine in short-contact rinse-off products or on the body.
Does Myristyl Lactate cause fungal acne?
Separately from pore-clogging, Myristyl Lactate is considered a potential fungal-acne (Malassezia) trigger. Fungal acne — properly called Malassezia folliculitis — appears as small, uniform, sometimes itchy bumps, and is fed by certain oils, fatty acids and esters. This is a different problem from comedogenic clogging, so if you are prone to fungal acne you may want to avoid Myristyl Lactate even when its comedogenic rating is low.
Should you use Myristyl Lactate if you're acne-prone?
If you are acne-prone, it is safest to keep Myristyl Lactate away from your face in leave-on products. It can still be useful for dry body skin, hair, or in cleansers where it is quickly rinsed off. Normal and dry skin types often tolerate it without issue.
How Myristyl Lactate compares to other esters
| Ingredient | Rating | Pore-clogging |
|---|---|---|
| Myristyl Lactate | 4/5 | Likely |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | 1/5 | Unlikely |
| Butyl Stearate | 3/5 | Likely |
| Decyl Oleate | 3/5 | Likely |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | 4/5 | Likely |
| Isocetyl Stearate | 4/5 | Likely |
| Isopropyl Palmitate | 4/5 | Likely |
Frequently asked questions
Is Myristyl Lactate comedogenic?
Yes — Myristyl Lactate is considered highly comedogenic, scoring 4 out of 5. That means it has a strong tendency to block pores and is a well-known trigger for closed comedones, blackheads and breakouts on acne-prone skin. If your skin is oily or congestion-prone, Myristyl Lactate is one of the ingredients most worth avoiding in leave-on facial products, though it can still be fine in short-contact rinse-off products or on the body.
Does Myristyl Lactate cause fungal acne?
Separately from pore-clogging, Myristyl Lactate is considered a potential fungal-acne (Malassezia) trigger. Fungal acne — properly called Malassezia folliculitis — appears as small, uniform, sometimes itchy bumps, and is fed by certain oils, fatty acids and esters. This is a different problem from comedogenic clogging, so if you are prone to fungal acne you may want to avoid Myristyl Lactate even when its comedogenic rating is low.
Is Myristyl Lactate safe for acne-prone skin?
If you are acne-prone, it is safest to keep Myristyl Lactate away from your face in leave-on products. It can still be useful for dry body skin, hair, or in cleansers where it is quickly rinsed off. Normal and dry skin types often tolerate it without issue.
What products is Myristyl Lactate found in?
Myristyl Lactate is an emollient ester that gives products a smooth, silky slip and cushiony feel, and is commonly found in moisturizers, foundations, lipsticks, primers and sunscreens.
What can I use instead of Myristyl Lactate?
Look for non-comedogenic emollients rated 0–1 such as squalane, glycerin, hemp seed oil or sunflower oil.
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