---
title: "Comedogenic — Glossary | School of Dermatology"
url: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/comedogenic
description: "Learn what comedogenic means, how pore-clogging ratings work, and how to choose products that won't cause breakouts for acne-prone skin."
lang: en
---

Glossary

# Comedogenic

kom-ih-doh-JEN-ik

## Definition

Comedogenic describes an ingredient or product that has a tendency to clog pores and contribute to the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Comedogenicity is often rated on a scale of 0 to 5, where 0 means the ingredient is unlikely to clog pores and 5 means it is highly likely to cause breakouts. Common comedogenic ingredients include coconut oil, cocoa butter, isopropyl myristate, and certain silicones. However, comedogenicity ratings were originally tested on rabbit ears and may not perfectly predict how an ingredient will behave on human skin. Individual responses vary significantly based on skin type, product formulation, concentration, and other factors. People with acne-prone or oily skin generally benefit from choosing products labeled non-comedogenic, though this term is not regulated by the FDA.

## Related Terms

Non-Comedogenic: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/non-comedogenic
Comedone: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/comedone
Sebum: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/sebum
Pore: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/pore

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