Comedogenic Scale 0-5

Comedogenic
Ingredient Checker

See the comedogenic rating of every ingredient in your skincare products. Paste a full ingredient list or upload a label photo — get instant comedogenic analysis.

Check Comedogenic Ratings — Free
Free & No Signup Every Ingredient Rated 0-5 Photo & Text Input

The Comedogenic Scale Explained

The comedogenic scale rates ingredients from 0 to 5 based on how likely they are to clog pores.

0

Non-Comedogenic

Will not clog pores. Safe for all skin types.

1

Very Low Risk

Minimal chance of clogging pores.

2

Moderately Low

Low risk for most people. Caution for very oily skin.

3

Moderate Risk

May clog pores. Be cautious if acne-prone.

4

Fairly High

Likely to clog pores. Avoid for acne-prone skin.

5

Highly Comedogenic

Very likely to cause breakouts. Avoid if possible.

SafeAvoid

Common Ingredients by Comedogenic Rating

A quick reference for ingredients you'll see on most skincare labels. Ratings based on Fulton, Kligman & Draelos research.

0Safe
GlycerinHyaluronic AcidNiacinamidePanthenolAllantoinSqualane
1Very Low
BeeswaxStearyl AlcoholCetyl AlcoholDimethiconeShea Butter
2Low-Moderate
Cetearyl AlcoholStearic AcidLanolinMineral OilPetrolatum
3Moderate
Myristic AcidTocopherol AcetateSoybean OilCorn Oil
4-5High Risk
Isopropyl Myristate (5)Isopropyl Palmitate (4)Coconut Oil (4)Algae Extract (5)Laureth-4 (5)Acetylated Lanolin (4)
Check your full ingredient list for ratings

Why Check Comedogenic Ratings?

01

Labels can mislead

"Non-comedogenic" is not regulated. Any brand can use it. A comedogenic checker verifies the actual ingredient ratings — not the marketing.

02

Formula matters more than one ingredient

One comedogenic ingredient doesn't ruin a product. PoreCheck analyzes the whole list and gives a product-level score, not just single-ingredient lookups.

03

Your skin type changes the risk

A rating-2 ingredient may be fine for dry skin but risky for oily or acne-prone skin. PoreCheck adjusts analysis based on your skin profile.

Comedogenic Checker FAQ

What is a comedogenic ingredient checker?
A comedogenic ingredient checker scans a product's ingredient list and rates each ingredient on the comedogenic scale (0-5). This tells you how likely each ingredient is to clog pores and cause blackheads or acne.
What comedogenic rating should I avoid?
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid ingredients rated 3 and above. For most skin types, ratings of 0-2 are considered safe. PoreCheck flags risky ingredients automatically.
Is 'non-comedogenic' on the label reliable?
Not always. 'Non-comedogenic' is not a regulated term — brands can use it without third-party verification. A comedogenic ingredient checker like PoreCheck lets you verify the actual ratings yourself.
Where do comedogenic ratings come from?
Comedogenic ratings originate from studies by dermatological researchers — Fulton & Kligman (rabbit ear assay, 1972) and later Draelos and DiNardo (human patch tests). These studies measured how likely specific ingredients are to cause comedones (clogged pores). Ratings can vary between sources; PoreCheck uses the more conservative estimate.
Can a product with a rating-4 ingredient still be safe?
Possibly. Comedogenic ratings measure individual ingredients at 100% concentration. In a finished product, the ingredient may be at a very low percentage, combined with non-comedogenic ingredients that dilute the effect. That said, acne-prone skin may still react — PoreCheck gives a product-level score alongside per-ingredient ratings so you can decide.

Don't trust the label. Check the ratings.

See the comedogenic rating of every ingredient in seconds. Free, instant, and backed by dermatological research.

Check Comedogenic Ratings