Common Products that Cause Breakouts
You’re not being superstitious, common ingredients hiding in your "fave, “gentle,” and “go-to” products are breaking you out. When pore-clogging ingredients cross your path, they may have lasting affects in the near future for your complexion. Breakouts can take weeks (and even months) to form. So, just because your skin is clear now, it does not mean you are “in the clear.” As a rule of thumb, if you have acne prone skin, it’s best to stay away from the known pore-cloggers.
Here are just a few examples of ingredients known to clog pores and popular products that contain them. We’ll also tell you on a scale of 1 to 5 how high they rank for their ability to clog your pores, this is called the Comedogenicity Scale.
Cleansers:
Clinic Take The Day Off Makeup Removing Balm and Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse
Even though acne and the word balm almost never go together lots of acne prone people are still removing their makeup with an oil or balm. Their are many problematic waxes and oils in makeup removers other than micellar water, everything from Coconut Oil to Shea Butter. We choose to call out the way too common Ethhexical Palmitate in Clinique’s Take The Day Off since it’s one of the most popular options AND their Take The Day Off cleanser contains pore cloggers (myristic and lauric acid) as well. It seems Clinic may have pioneered the first multi step skincare routine, but they haven’t kept up with the times. Not a great way to start you routine off!
For truly gentle and acne-friendly cleanser, try Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser by Vivant. and for makeup removing always opt for Bioderma Micellar water- acne prone or not it’s great for everyone.
Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
This cleanser has quite a few problematic acne ingredients. We know “natural” products are important to some, but unfortunately they are rarely actually natural and often contain the same “chemicals” you are trying to avoid. On top of that, they are notorious pimple producers. This cleanser contains the surfactants Myristic Acid and Lauric Acid, which rank as a 3 and a 4 respectively on the comedogenicity scale. There is also a full of oils in the ingredients list that will also contribute to clogging your pores. To keep your skin clear, you’ll want to stay clear of this cleanser!
For a sulfate-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and dye-free cleanser that won’t clog pores try, Purify by Osmosis.
Moisturizers:
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
In this very popular moisturizer, you’ll find Ceteareth-20 & Cetearyl Alcohol. This ingredient thickens and emulsifies moisturizers but sadly ranks at a 4 on pore-clogging scale and isn’t safe for acne-prone skin. We’d recommend to avoid this moisturizer at all costs!
For a medium weighted moisturizer that works in the summers and winters, try Allantoin by Vivant.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Two specific pore-clogging ingredients (Glyceryl Stearate SE and Cetearyl Alcohol) make this moisturizer too thick for anyone with acne prone skin and rank as a 3 and a 2, respectively on the pore-clogging scale. Don’t let this cream come near your face if you’re acne-prone!
For an adequate amounts of moisture for dry, but acne prone, skin try layering Lavender Mask by Le Mieux under Allantoin by Vivant.
Serums:
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
We had to include this “luxury” product that we have seen break many of our clients out. It’s the emulsifier Laureth-23 that causes problems for some acne-prone (and even some non-acne prone faces). It ranks at a 3 on the pore clogging scale.
For and acne-safe vitamin C serum that offers antioxidant support and a skin brightening, try vitamin C and E packed Spin Trap by Vivant.
Acne Treatment Products:
Mario Badescu Drying Cream
This acne spot-treating product isn’t likely to do you any favors due the Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol and Beeswax that make up part of the ingredients list. They each rank as a 4, 2 and 2 respectively on the comedogenic list. We’re just as confused as you are to why there are acne-causing ingredients in products that are meant to treat acne…
For a spot treatment that will actually treat your spots, try BP 10% Gel Medication by Vivant.
Tretinoin Cream (prescription)
Yes, retinoids are kryptonite when it comes to pimples, but sadly when they’re laced with Isopropyl Myristate (which ranks 5 out of 5 for pore-clogging ability and is hands-down the WORST acne-offending ingredient out there), it cancels out all of the good. Even Superman couldn’t win this battle. STAY AWAY!
For a vitamin A product as strong as the prescription and that doesn’t irritate or clog, we love Exfol-A Forte by Vivant.