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Routine Term

Comedogenic

A term used to describe the potential for an ingredient or product to contribute to clogged pores or comedones.

What it does

Describes whether a skincare ingredient or formula may contribute to pore congestion. It does not guarantee that a product will—or will not—cause breakouts on every skin type.

Glow notes

Comedogenic refers to the potential for an ingredient or skincare product to contribute to clogged pores, also called comedones. You may see ingredients assigned a “comedogenic rating,” but these scales are not standardized enough to predict exactly how a finished product will behave on your skin. A formula’s overall composition, how much you apply, what you layer with it + your individual tendency toward congestion all matter. That’s why “non-comedogenic” should not be interpreted as a guarantee that a product can never cause a breakout. For acne-prone or congestion-prone skin, introduce new products gradually + pay attention to how your own skin responds.

Skin goals

Clear-Looking Skin Congestion Acne-Prone Skin Balanced Skin

Routine note

Useful when evaluating new products for acne-prone or congestion-prone skin. Introduce products gradually and assess the finished formula rather than relying on a comedogenic score alone.
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