If you’re dealing with acne or oily facial skin, there are certain oils you should avoid because they tend to clog pores and cause breakouts. Those oils are called comedogenic oils which means that they tend to produce or aggravate acne by clogging the pores. They are often a major cause of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne breakouts on people with problematic skin types.
I’ve made a list of all comedogenic oils you should avoid if you’re prone to breakouts. The list has been compiled from several relevant sources including Journal of American Academy of Dermatology.
Here’s the list of comedogenic oils to avoid:
Highly comedogenic oil:
– avoid at all costs
- Wheat Germ Oil
Quite highly comedogenic oils and butters:
– also should be avoided
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Flax Seed Oil
- Linseed Oil
- Palm Oil (I recommend not to use palm oil – it is the cause of air pollution, it threatens the orangutans, it’s harming the environment…)
Moderately comedogenic oils:
– preferably avoid using
- Corn Oil
- Cotton Seed Oil
- Mink Oil
- Soybean Oil
Moderately low comedogenic oils:
– these oils aren’t as problematic but might also cause issues
- Almond Oil
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Baobab Oil
- Borage Oil
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Grape Seed Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Olive Oil
- Peach Kernel Oil
- Peanut Oil
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Sandalwood Seed Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Tamanu Oil
Low comedogenic oils:
– shouldn’t be a problem using these oils
- Calendula Oil
- Castor Oil
- Emu Oil
- Neem Oil
- Pomegranate Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Sea Buckthorn Oil
Also, read about comedogenic waxes, botanicals, and other ingredients you shouldn’t use on an acne prone skin.