You’ve probably come across the term “non-caesogenic” on skin care product labels. Of the thick and heavy beauty marketing terms, non-comedogenic is one of the least understood – unless you have acne or oily skin, where the term is your skin’s anti-breakout alliance.
But for the rest of us, what does this ambiguous term really mean, and what is the comical scale? Let’s dig deeper into the terms “foodogenic” and “non-foodogenic” and what to look for as a surefire way to avoid an outbreak.
What do Comeidogenic and Non-Comeidogenic mean?
Unless you’ve hit the genetic lottery or banned magnifying mirrors from your life, you’re probably stuck in a pore dilemma having noticed visible localized changes on the surface of your skin. We are talking about enlarged pores that if clogged can be a precursor to a pimple! This is where the importance of non-foodborne ingredients comes into play – and why you should avoid foodborne ingredients at all costs.
Let’s start with a “comedo” or “comedone”, which is the earliest form of acne. It is essentially a blocked resource. So if a skincare ingredient is caustic, that means it has a high chance of clogging pores and potentially leading to breakouts. No thanks!
One way to combat any pore-causing skin problem is to make sure you use products with non-comedogenic ingredients, which are less likely to clog your pores. In fact, knowing which skincare ingredients tend to clog our pores is how the foodie rating was created. This scale helps us make better skin care decisions so we can share some of that genetic lottery.
What is the Comedogenic Scale?
One way to navigate the range of ingredients in skin care products is the cometogenic scale, which ranks an individual ingredient’s tendency to clog pores. The scale uses a numbering system from 0 to 5, with 2 or less being non-comedogenic or non-pore-clogging and 5 being pore-clogging. Here’s how the numbers rank on the scale:
0 – does not clog resources
1 – very little chance of clogging pores
2 – moderately low probability
3 – medium probability
4 – fairly high probability
5 – high probability of pore clogging
Anyone prone to acne breakouts should avoid the super food-inducing (3-5) ingredients, which we’ll cover below. People with less fussy skin may not have problems with ingredients ranked 3. However, we would recommend avoiding numbers 4 and 5. But remember, the comedogenic scale is not 100% accurate. One person’s unique skin may not react negatively to a particular pore-clogging ingredient, while another person’s skin does with the same ingredient. There is no perfect science and since everyone’s skin is different, skincare ingredients will affect different people in different ways.
What is the connection between Comedones and acne?
Most of us have all kinds of ideas about what triggers our breakouts (for example, stress, poor diet, bacteria, and hormones). And while there’s some truth to that, there’s also a good chance that the blemishes are caused by one thing and one thing only: an oil plug.
What happens is that your skin cells are normally shed at the surface, allowing new skin cells to be created. Sometimes, dead skin cells and excess oil can get trapped in hair follicles. When it combines with the natural oils in your pores (sebum), a plug can form.
This buildup traps the oil underneath, while the skin above sends the message, “Hey, I need moisture here!” As a result, more and more sebum (oil) builds up, but the plug keeps it trapped. This causes the affected pores to bulge outward, creating comedones or bumps.
This earthy acne causes uneven skin and non-inflammatory spots, as well as whiteheads or blackheads. The names come from how the spots look on your skin. They are small bumps that are either flesh-colored or become black spots after its head has oxidized to a dark brown or black color.
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What are some edible and non-edible ingredients?
As we mentioned above, knowing which skincare ingredients are most likely—or not—to clog your pores, and considering the comedogenic scale, puts you on a better path to clear, smooth skin. That’s where we’re here to help – and help you become an ingredient detective!
When checking product labels, avoid toxic ingredients such as synthetic chemicals, artificial colors, fragrances, chemical preservatives, BPA, coal tar, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, heavy metals, sulfates, talc, and so on. These are comedogenic ingredients and don’t play well on the comedogenic scale.
In general, clean and pure skin care brands will use skin-friendly ingredients that have little to no chance of clogging pores. Look for ingredients or formulas composed of plant, mineral, and/or marine vegetation that undergoes chemical changes due to biological processes such as fermentation, distillation, and cold processing.
Anyone who is hesitant to use face oils or people with acne and oily skin can use non-edible oils if you use a suitable for yours Skin type. But it’s important to check that these oils leave out the bad stuff. This includes silicones, diluted oils, waxes, dyes and fragrance. Face oils can be applied to the skin or used as carriers for things like essential oils. Some of these oils include marula, sunflower, neem, argan, rosehip and grapeseed oils.
Speaking of grape skin powers, we like to think of Intensive Nourishing Facial Oil as a superhero for oily skin. Featuring a beautiful blend of light grapeseed oil and soothing florals and herbs, this ultra-light facial oil really nourishes the skin. What’s great about this oil for oily skin is its grapeseed oil base. Similar in texture and weight to skin sebum, this oil sinks in easily and hydrates skin quickly without clogging pores.
If you have acne-prone and oily skin and are still a little on the fence about oils in your skincare formulas, the truth is, you should still be using a moisturizer! Our Tea Tree Balancing Moisturizer is the best facial moisturizer for acne-prone skin. It is designed to balance and nourish properly, without clogging pores or leaving skin greasy. Additionally, the tea tree in it is beneficial for acne.
While you can’t always predict how your skin will react to certain ingredients, you can take steps to better prevent comedones and blemishes by sticking to non-comedogenic ingredients. Hopefully, with this collection of tips and ingredient reviews, we’ve set you on your way to healthier, clearer skin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Non-Comedogenic Skin Care
How is the Comedogenic Scale used to rate skin care products?
The causative scale is a rating system that measures how likely an ingredient or product is to cause cavities or clog pores and cause acne. It ranges from 0 to 5, with 0 being non-caesogenic – least likely to cause breakouts and 5 being very caustic – most likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Can non-food products be guaranteed not to break out?
Just because a product is labeled non-edible doesn’t mean it won’t cause commotion, it just means it’s less likely. One person’s unique skin may not react negatively to a particular pore-clogging ingredient, while another person’s skin reacts with the same ingredient. There is no perfect science and since everyone’s skin is different, skincare ingredients will affect different people in different ways.
Are non-food products suitable for all skin types?
Non-comedogenic refers to a skincare product that does not contain pore-clogging or clogging ingredients. While this is good for all people and all skin types, it is especially important for those with oily and acne-prone skin, as well as combination skin, as all of these are prone to clogged pores.
What ingredients are commonly found in non-food products?
Clean and pure skin care brands will use skin-friendly ingredients that have little to no chance of clogging pores. Look for water-based ingredients like hyaluronic acid and emollients like aloe vera, or formulas made from plant, mineral, and/or marine vegetation that undergoes chemical changes through biological processes like fermentation, distillation, and cold processing.
Non-edible ingredients also include lighter oils such as marula, sweet almond, sunflower, neem, argan, rosehip and grapeseed oils.
How important is it to choose non-comedogenic products for acne-prone skin?
It is absolutely important! A build-up of dirt, oil and dead skin cells can lead to clogged pores on the skin. People with oily and acne-prone skin are more likely to have clogged pores. Using non-comedogenic skin care products can help prevent clogged pores and reduce or eliminate acne breakouts.
