Will it clog my pores?

Substantially more comedogenic than plain lanolin.

Like acetylated lanolin, substantially more comedogenic than the parent wax.

Flagged on clinic lists, though evidence is largely anecdotal. Includes most seaweed derivatives.

Comparable to sodium lauryl sulfate in strength and irritancy.

Rich and nourishing but moderately pore-clogging. Better for dry, non-acne-prone skin.

Frequently flagged in makeup formulas.

Red-algae thickener; appears on pore-clogging lists.

Usually paired with acetylated lanolin alcohol, and rated similarly.

A known dermal irritant. Restricted in leave-on products.

Eugenol is a potent sensitiser. Very low use levels only.

Effective for psoriasis and dandruff, and strongly comedogenic. Not for facial use.

Consistently high on clinic lists. Better suited to body than face.

As comedogenic as coconut oil. Body use, not face.

Highly comedogenic despite its reputation as a natural cure-all. Fine on hair and body, a common trigger on acne-prone faces.

Long-wear lip pigment, flagged on clinic lists.

The D&C red lakes are the pigments most often implicated in cosmetic acne.

Another flagged red lake.

Flagged alongside the other D&C reds in blushes and lipsticks.

Calcium lake of D&C Red 6, rated similarly.

Moderate risk emollient ester.

Common lightweight ester that rates high on clinic lists.

High comedogenic rating; also oxidises quickly.

The self-emulsifying grade rates higher than plain glyceryl stearate.

Very high comedogenicity. Common in colour cosmetics.

Oleate ester with a high comedogenic rating.

Very high comedogenicity. Common in makeup and cleansing balms.

Lanolin derivative rating well above plain lanolin.

Among the highest-rated comedogenic esters. A reliable flag near the top of a list.

One of the most reliably comedogenic ingredients in cosmetics. A top flag on every clinic list.

Close relative of isopropyl myristate and similarly pore-clogging.

Lightweight-feeling ester that still rates high on clinic lists.

Seaweed extracts appear on clinic pore-clogging lists, though the sourcing is weak.

Related to laureth-4 but generally rated lower.

Highly comedogenic surfactant.

The fatty acid that makes coconut oil comedogenic.

Rated high on clinic lists, which sits oddly with its use in barrier-repair formulas. Sources conflict.

Animal-derived occlusive, largely displaced by plant oils.

Frequently flagged; a myristate derivative like isopropyl myristate.

Strongly comedogenic wax ester.

One of the classic high-rated esters in makeup and sunscreen bases.

Comedogenic, plus significant sustainability concerns.

Also sold as Solulan 16. High on every clinic list.

Common water-in-oil emulsifier that rates high.

Same caveat as sodium chloride - the rating is widely repeated but poorly sourced.

Myristyl derivative, flagged on several lists.

Moderate risk; widespread in creams.

Moderately pore-clogging; heavy on facial skin.

Rated 5 on circulating lists, which is hard to credit for table salt in a rinse-off. Treat with scepticism.

Milder than sodium lauryl sulfate, and often confused with it on labels.

Irritating and comedogenic. Distinct from the milder sodium laureth sulfate.

Moderately comedogenic emulsifier.

Oleate emulsifier; moderately rated like sorbitan oleate.

Moderately comedogenic and common as a cheap base oil.

Not squalane. The unsaturated form oxidises readily, and oxidised squalene is implicated in acne.

Ethoxylated emulsifier flagged on clinic lists.

Flagged ester, common in makeup.

Also called Turkey red oil. Moderate risk.

Shares wheat germ oil's tendency to clog, if less strongly.

Among the highest-rated comedogenic oils.