With the rise of social media, there’s an overwhelming amount of acne "life hacks" and advice that can often do more harm than good. Many of my new clients at Shoreline Glow have been using coconut oil in their skincare routines, only to find their acne worsening, blackheads multiplying, and their skin becoming more sensitive and irritated.

The culprit? Pore-clogging ingredients and inadequate exfoliation routines!

Natural oils like cocoa butter and coconut oil, commonly found in many "organic" skincare lines, can wreak havoc on acne-prone skin. It’s not just these natural products; even professional, natural, organic, and acne-specific skincare products can contain pore-clogging ingredients.

Unfortunately, there is no government agency that oversees the claims skincare companies make about their products. This means any company can label their products as promoting clear skin, even if they contain pore-clogging ingredients.

Even prescription medications aren’t exempt. For example, Retin-A in cream form contains isopropyl myristate, a potent pore-clogger. Many other prescription products also contain comedogenic ingredients. Over-the-counter acne medications and so-called "oil-free" products can be just as problematic.

Adding to the challenge, many hair care products contain sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate, both of which rank high on the comedogenic scale. Oils like jojoba, olive, and lanolin are mildly comedogenic and can be problematic when combined with other comedogenic ingredients.

Before trying a new skincare or hair care product, it’s crucial to check the ingredients list. Labels like "non-comedogenic," "oil-free," or "won’t clog pores" are not always reliable.

If you’re tired of wasting time and money on products that don’t work, schedule a skincare consultation at Shoreline Glow. Together, we can create a plan to help you achieve clear, healthy skin.

What is the Comedogenic Scale?

The comedogenic scale is a rating system that measures the likelihood of an ingredient to clog pores. The scale ranges from 0 to 5:

• 0: Will not clog pores.

• 1: Very low likelihood of clogging pores.

• 2: Moderately low likelihood of clogging pores.

• 3: Moderate likelihood of clogging pores.

• 4: Fairly high likelihood of clogging pores.

• 5: High likelihood of clogging pores.

Here’s a comprehensive list of pore-clogging ingredients to avoid, along with their comedogenic ratings:

• Acetylated Lanolin (4)

• Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol (4)

• Algae Extract (5)

• Algin (4)

• Argan Oil (0-2)

• Bismuth Chloride Oxide (causes irritation but not acne)

• Butyl Stearate (3)

• Carrageenan (5)

• Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20 (4)

• Cetyl Acetate (4)

• Chlorella (4)

• Chondrus Crispus (aka Irish Moss or Carrageenan Moss) (5)

• Coal Tar (4)

• Cocoa Butter (4)

• Coconut Alkanes (4)

• Coconut Butter (4)

• Coconut Oil (4)

• Colloidal Sulfur (3)

• Cotton Awws Oil (3)

• Cotton Seed Oil (3)

• D & C Red # 17 (3)

• D & C Red # 21 (3)

• D & C Red # 3 (3)

• D & C Red # 30 (3)

• D & C Red # 36 (3)

• Decyl Oleate (3)

• Dioctyl Succinate (3)

• Disodium Monooleamido PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate (4)

• Ethoxylated Lanolin (3)

• Ethylhexyl Palmitate (4)

• Glyceryl Stearate SE (3)

• Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate (4)

• Hexadecyl Alcohol (5)

• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (3-4)

• Isocetyl Alcohol (4)

• Isocetyl Stearate (5)

• Isodecyl Oleate (3)

• Isopropyl Isostearate (5)

• Isopropyl Linoleate (5)

• Isopropyl Myristate (5)

• Isopropyl Palmitate (4)

• Isostearyl Isostearate (4)

• Isostearyl Neopentanoate (4)

• Kelp (5)

• Laminaria Digitata Extract (5)

• Laminaria Saccharina Extract (Laminaria Saccharine) (5)

• Laureth-23 (3)

• Laureth-4 (5)

• Lauric Acid (4)

• Mink Oil (3)

• Moroccan Oil (3)

• Myristic Acid (3-4)

• Myristyl Lactate (4)

• Myristyl Myristate (5)

• Octyl Palmitate (4)

• Octyl Stearate (5)

• Oleth-3 (5)

• Oleyl Alcohol (4)

• Olive Oil (2)

• PEG-16 Lanolin (4)

• PEG-200 Dilaurate (4)

• PEG-8 Stearate (3)

• PG Monostearate (4)

• Plankton (5)

• Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (4)

• Potassium Chloride (5)

• Propylene Glycol Monostearate (4)

• PPG-2 Myristyl Propionate (4)

• Red Algae (5)

• Sea Whip Extract (5)

• Seaweed (5)

• Shark Liver Oil-Squalene (3)

• Shea Butter (0-2)

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (4)

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (5)

• Solulan-16 (4)

• Sorbitan Oleate (4)

• Soybean Oil (4)

• Spirulina (5)

• Steareth-10 (2-3)

• Stearic Acid TEA (3)

• Stearyl Heptanoate (5)

• Sulfated Castor Oil (3)

• Sulfated Jojoba Oil (3)

• Wheat Germ Glyceride (5)

• Wheat Germ Oil (5)

• Xylene (5)

Remember, when it comes to skincare, knowledge is power. By being aware of these ingredients and avoiding them, you can take significant steps toward achieving clear, radiant skin. For personalized advice and a tailored skincare regimen, book a consultation at Shoreline Glow today!