The ingredients that (maybe) are clogging your pores INCI in hand, but without obsessions

Skincare products aren't cheap, and buying a new one only to end up with a collection of under-the-skin bumps is hardly ideal. And the culprit might just be one of the ingredients hiding in the INCI list of your latest purchase. In fact, certain ingredients can clog pores, especially if your skin is already prone to blackheads and breakouts. Here is what to keep an eye on and how to pick products without losing your mind.

The ingredients that (might be) clogging your pores

Ingredients to keep an eye on

All it takes is a quick glance at the often endless INCI list of ingredients on the products we want to buy. And we aren't just talking about facial skincare: shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products can also contribute to breakouts. Take coconut oil, listed as Cocos Nucifera Oil, for instance, which is widely used in hair care. Residue from conditioners and hair masks, especially if not rinsed thoroughly, can settle on the skin and contribute to breakouts along the hairline, forehead, and back. So, it's best to rinse your hair thoroughly and wash your face and body only after doing so. Cocoa butter, or Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, while perfect for deep hydration, can also leave you with clogged pores in no time. Other names to remember include Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, and Myristyl Myristate. These are esters, chemical compounds formed by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol, used in cosmetics to make formulas smoother and easier to spread. Then there's lanolin, a waxy substance derived from sheep's wool used in cosmetics as a humectant, along with some of its derivatives, like Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol and Ethoxylated Lanolin, which an article by Healthline flags among potentially comedogenic ingredients. Finally, certain dyes can also clog pores, such as D&C Red, a pigment primarily used in lipsticks. This doesn't automatically make them unsuitable for everyone, but if your skin is prone to comedones, it helps to know that something on this list could be behind it.

Non-comedogenic or comedogenic product?

Especially in recent years, the word comedogenic gets thrown around rather casually. In reality, a potentially comedogenic ingredient won't cause breakouts for everyone, and those with acne-prone skin don't necessarily have to ditch all the rich creams already in their routine. The same goes for the label non-comedogenic: it can be a helpful guide when picking a product, but it isn't a silver bullet guarantee. How your skin reacts depends on the overall formulation and how it responds to individual ingredients. It's an extremely personal matter. For this reason, cutting out all oils, butters, and richer formulas right off the bat might not be the solution, especially since some of these ingredients can hide in unexpected places that contribute to breakouts, like the hair care products mentioned above.