Data study
The Most Pore-Clogging Ingredients
We analyzed 90 common skincare and makeup ingredients on the 0–5 comedogenic scale. Here's how many actually clog pores, which are the worst offenders, and which product categories carry the most risk.
90
Ingredients rated
41%
High-risk (3–5/5)
60%
Fungal-acne triggers
39%
Pore-safe (0–1/5)
Key findings
- • 37 of 90 ingredients (41%) rate 3/5 or higher — likely to clog pores for acne-prone skin.
- • 28 ingredients score a severe 4–5/5, the most reliable breakout triggers.
- • 54 (60%) can feed fungal acne (Malassezia) — a separate risk from pore-clogging.
- • The highest-risk category on average is Ester (avg 3.9/5).
Rating distribution
0/5
24
1/5
11
2/5
18
3/5
9
4/5
18
5/5
10
The worst offenders (rated 4–5/5)
The ingredients most likely to clog pores. Avoid these in leave-on facial products if you're acne-prone.
Algae ExtractOtherIsopropyl IsostearateEsterIsopropyl MyristateEsterLaureth-4EmulsifierMyristyl MyristateEsterOctyl StearateEsterOleth-3EmulsifierRed AlgaeOtherSodium Lauryl SulfateSurfactantWheat Germ OilCarrier oilAcetylated LanolinWaxCeteareth-20EmulsifierCocoa ButterButterCoconut ButterButter
Coconut OilCarrier oilD&C Red DyesDyeEthylhexyl PalmitateEsterFlaxseed (Linseed) OilCarrier oilIsocetyl StearateEsterIsopropyl PalmitateEsterIsostearyl IsostearateEsterLauric AcidFatty acidMyristyl LactateEsterOleyl AlcoholFatty alcoholPalm OilCarrier oilPEG-16 LanolinEmulsifierPropylene Glycol MonostearateEmulsifierStearyl HeptanoateEster
Coconut OilCarrier oilD&C Red DyesDyeEthylhexyl PalmitateEsterFlaxseed (Linseed) OilCarrier oilIsocetyl StearateEsterIsopropyl PalmitateEsterIsostearyl IsostearateEsterLauric AcidFatty acidMyristyl LactateEsterOleyl AlcoholFatty alcoholPalm OilCarrier oilPEG-16 LanolinEmulsifierPropylene Glycol MonostearateEmulsifierStearyl HeptanoateEsterWhich ingredient types clog pores most?
| Category | Count | Avg rating | % high-risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ester | 13 | 3.9/5 | 92% |
| Other | 3 | 3.3/5 | 67% |
| Fatty acid | 2 | 3.0/5 | 50% |
| Emulsifier | 9 | 2.9/5 | 67% |
| Fatty alcohol | 3 | 2.7/5 | 33% |
| Butter | 4 | 2.5/5 | 50% |
| Wax | 4 | 2.3/5 | 25% |
| Carrier oil | 30 | 2.1/5 | 33% |
| Sunscreen filter | 2 | 1.0/5 | 0% |
| Silicone | 2 | 0.5/5 | 0% |
| Occlusive | 2 | 0.0/5 | 0% |
| Humectant | 5 | 0.0/5 | 0% |
| Active | 6 | 0.0/5 | 0% |
Cite this study
Free to reference with a link back to this page.
Will It Clog? (2026). The Most Pore-Clogging Ingredients: A Data Study of 90 Skincare Ingredients. https://willitclog.com/study
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Open the free checker →Methodology: comedogenic ratings are compiled from commonly-referenced comedogenicity sources; see our methodology. Educational use only, not medical advice.