Non-comedogenic oils
Of the 47 oils and butters in our directory, 23 rate 0–1 and 10 rate 3 or above. The pattern is mostly fatty acid profile: linoleic-rich oils tend to sit low, oleic-rich and lauric-rich ones high.
One caveat before the list. These ratings describe each oil neat. A 4-rated oil at 2% in a formula behaves nothing like the same oil straight from the bottle, which is why checking the whole label tells you more than checking one ingredient.
Rate 0–1 — safe for most acne-prone skin
- 0Argan OilNon-comedogenic and high in vitamin E. Safe default for most acne-prone routines.
- 0Hemp Seed OilHigh in linoleic acid, non-comedogenic. Contains no CBD.
- 0Safflower OilThe high-linoleic version is non-comedogenic and barrier-supporting.
- 0Shea ButterRated 0-2 depending on the source. Refined shea behaves differently from raw. Widely tolerated but occasionally implicated.
- 0Sunflower OilHigh-linoleic sunflower oil supports barrier repair and is non-comedogenic.
- 0Watermelon Seed OilLight, linoleic-rich, non-comedogenic. Good for oily skin.
- 1Black Cumin Seed OilThymoquinone content; some evidence for eczema and acne.
- 1Camellia OilTraditional Japanese hair and skin oil. Light despite being oleic-rich.
- 1Castor OilLow comedogenic rating but very thick; usually diluted. Common in cleansing oils.
- 1Cupuacu ButterUnusually good at holding water for a butter.
- 1Emu OilAnimal-derived; penetrates unusually well.
- 1Grapeseed OilLight, fast-absorbing, low comedogenicity. A good facial oil for oily skin.
- 1Illipe ButterCocoa butter substitute with a higher melting point.
- 1Kokum ButterThe hardest common butter. Melts cleanly at skin temperature.
- 1Marula OilLight, oleic-rich oil that absorbs quickly.
- 1Meadowfoam Seed OilExceptionally stable; often added to extend other oils' shelf life.
- 1Moringa OilVery stable, oleic-rich oil with a long shelf life.
- 1Murumuru ButterPopular in curly-hair formulas.
- 1Pomegranate Seed OilPunicic acid content; usually used at low percentages.
- 1Prickly Pear Seed OilExpensive by weight; very high in vitamin E.
- 1Raspberry Seed OilOften marketed with unsupported SPF claims. It is not a sunscreen.
- 1Rosehip OilHigh in linoleic acid and retinoic acid precursors. Popular for scarring and tone.
- 1Sea Buckthorn OilIntensely orange and will stain. Use sparingly.
Rate 2 — fine for most, occasional trouble
- 2Apricot Kernel OilLight and similar in profile to sweet almond oil.
- 2Baobab OilBalanced fatty acid profile, absorbs moderately fast.
- 2Borage OilThe richest common source of GLA.
- 2Evening Primrose OilValued for GLA content. Oxidises quickly once opened.
- 2Jojoba OilTechnically a liquid wax ester, structurally close to human sebum. One of the better-tolerated facial oils.
- 2Kukui Nut OilTraditional Hawaiian oil for sun-exposed and dry skin.
- 2Macadamia OilHigh in palmitoleic acid, which mimics young sebum.
- 2Mango ButterLighter and less greasy than shea, with a similar role.
- 2Neem OilPowerful traditional antimicrobial with an unmistakable sulphurous smell.
- 2Olive OilModerately comedogenic and linked to skin-barrier disruption in some studies. Not a first choice for facial use.
- 2Pumpkin Seed OilZinc-rich; sometimes used in scalp formulas.
- 2Rice Bran OilContains gamma-oryzanol. Moderate weight.
- 2Sweet Almond OilLight and well tolerated by most, but a nut-allergen risk.
- 2Tamanu OilTraditional scar and wound oil. Strongly scented and heavy.
Rate 3+ — commonly implicated in breakouts
- 5Wheat Germ OilAmong the highest-rated comedogenic oils.
- 4Cocoa ButterConsistently high on clinic lists. Better suited to body than face.
- 4Coconut ButterAs comedogenic as coconut oil. Body use, not face.
- 4Coconut OilHighly comedogenic despite its reputation as a natural cure-all. Fine on hair and body, a common trigger on acne-prone faces.
- 4Flaxseed OilHigh comedogenic rating; also oxidises quickly.
- 4Palm OilComedogenic, plus significant sustainability concerns.
- 3Avocado OilRich and nourishing but moderately pore-clogging. Better for dry, non-acne-prone skin.
- 3Mink OilAnimal-derived occlusive, largely displaced by plant oils.
- 3Sesame OilModerately pore-clogging; heavy on facial skin.
- 3Soybean OilModerately comedogenic and common as a cheap base oil.
Why fatty acids predict most of this
Oils high in linoleic acid — safflower, sunflower, hemp seed, watermelon seed — consistently rate low, and there is some evidence that acne-prone skin is relatively linoleic-deficient to begin with. Oils high in oleic acid sit higher, and lauric acid is why coconut oil rates 4 despite its reputation.
That is a useful rule of thumb, not a law. Check the individual rating and its evidence grade rather than reasoning from the fatty acid profile alone.