The comedogenicity of an ingredient refers to its occlusive nature. A comedogenic compound clogs pores and can cause pimples. What about coconut vegetable oil? Can it be used for oily skin prone to acne? Does a comedogenic ingredient make a skin care product comedogenic?
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Does Coconut Oil Clog Pores?
Summary
- What Is a Comedogenic Ingredient?
- So, Is Coconut Oil Comedogenic?
- Does a Comedogenic Ingredient Make the Skin Care Product Comedogenic?
- Sources
Published June 8, 2022,
updated on March 7, 2025,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
3 min read
What Is a Comedogenic Ingredient?
A comedogenic ingredient is a substance that clogs pores because of its texture and promotes the formation of a film on the skin that prevents sebum from draining. This can lead to the appearance of blemishes, called comedones. These take the form of blackheads or whiteheads. If you have acne, applying a comedogenic substance can make your skin condition worse. For each substance, a comedogenicity index ranging from 0 to 5 can be calculated to evaluate its occlusive potential. From 2, an ingredient is considered comedogenic. The comedogenicity of an ingredient does not necessarily lead to skin imperfections, it depends on the person and his skin type. Each user can react differently after application of a comedogenic care.
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So, Is Coconut Oil Comedogenic?
Coconut oil has a comedogenic index of 4. It is therefore does clog pores and is not suitable for oily skin or skin prone to acne. As it does not easily penetrate the epidermis, coconut oil does clog the pores by forming a non-breathable layer over the epidermis. Nevertheless, as a complement to other ingredients in a formula, its use can be relevant to take care of dry skin. It will provide the necessary nutrients to nourish and moisturize it.
Does a Comedogenic Ingredient Make the Skin Care Product Comedogenic?
Coconut oil is certainly comedogenic, but in a beauty care product, it is one ingredient among others. The comedogenicity of a skincare product will depend on the formula and the amount of coconut oil used in the final blend. In a list of ingredients, if coconut oil only appears towards the end, it means that its concentration is low compared to the other ingredients present. If the other ingredients are not comedogenic, the comedogenicity of the final product will not be high.
Sources
FULTON J.E. Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (1989).
DiNARDO J. C. & al. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2006).
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