Did you know any skincare company can write the words “non-comedogenic” on their product without regulations and rules? This means a product marketed and sold as “non-pore-clogging” can be polluted with ingredients that do rate as pore cloggers on the “comedogenic scale”. The comedogenic scale measures an ingredient's ability to clog pores. The scale ranges from 0 (does not clog pores) to 5 (highly pore clogging).
This is shocking, confusing, and unfair… but it’s true. Let’s look at some examples:
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser: Labeled as “non-comedogenic”.
Ingredient list: AQUA / WATER / EAU, COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, NIACINAMIDE, GLUCONOLACTONE, PEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, ZEA MAYS OIL / CORN OIL, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CALCIUM GLUCONATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLECALCIFEROL, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM EDTA, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
*Highlighted ingredients rate 1-3 on the pore clogging scale (5 is the maximum score, meaning it clogs every skin automatically. The only way to be 100% sure product ingredients aren’t sitting in your pore, is to have all of them rate as a 0.
This product has 2 “healthy” ingredients in it, out of this very long chemical ingredient list. Why is this “dermatologist recommended”?
Skinceuticals LHA Cleanser: Labeled as “best cleanser for acne-prone skin”
Ingredient List: Aqua / water / eau, coco-betaine, propylene glycol, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, sorbitol, glycerin, glycolic acid, triethanolamine, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), sodium chloride, disteareth-100 ipdi, salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, menthol, disodium edta, steareth-100.
*Highlighted ingredients rating from 2-3 on the pore clogging scale. These ingredients will sit inside the pore, and will likely cause build-up with continuous use.
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub: Labeled as “acne treatment”
Ingredient List: Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic Acid, Steareth-21, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Mica, Talc, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Agar, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, BHT, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ci 77492, Ci 73360, Ci 77891, Ci 77491
*Highlighted ingredients rate as a 1-3 on the pore clogging scale. The rich oils are too much for congested skins, and the fragrances and dyes are extensive in this product. Perfumed and dyed products create and aggravate skin sensitivities.
So what are you putting on your face every day, trying to improve skin issues and put your best face forward?
The best way to check if your products truly are non-comedogenic is to enter the ingredients in a search engine along with the words “comedogenic rating”. You will see the ingredient score. Using products with no pore clogging ingredients is the smartest choice you can make for your skin.
Short of time? Let a Starlight skincare expert do this for you, free of charge! Send us your products and we’ll analyze them within 24 hours.
See commonly used skincare product and makeup products, debunked and analyzed on the @starlightskinofficial Instagram highlight section.
Non-pore clogging products are important for all skin types and all ages. Clogged pores lead to acne, milia (white bumps underneath the skin), dull skin, and a barrier that doesn’t allow healthy ingredients to reach the deep layers of the skin.
Contact: DM @starlightskinofficial
E-mail: info@starlightskin.ca
Website: www.starlightskin.ca
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