Top 18 Non-Comedogenic Face Oils You Need to Know

Human written by Dr. Heather Smith. Links are non-affiliate.

If you’re worried about clogged pores, you’ve likely seen the term non-comedogenic—but what does it really mean?

Many face oils are labeled non-comedogenic, promising not to cause breakouts. While some truly are safe from clogging your pores, others might not live up to the label.

This article breaks down:

• What comedogenicity actually measures
• Why the scale is flawed and often misunderstood
• The role of fatty acids in pore-clogging
• How to choose oils based on comedogenic risk—not hype

Let’s explore the science behind comedogenicity so you can make informed decisions about facial oils—without relying on guesswork.

The Science of Clogged Pores

A comedone acne that forms when a hair follicle or pore gets clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Comedones are small, raised bumps on the skin.

Both open and closed comedones can become inflamed and develop into more severe forms of acne, such as pustules or cysts, if they become infected or if there is a significant inflammatory response in the area.

Effective skincare routines and acne treatments aim to prevent the formation of comedones and treat existing ones to help clear up acne-prone skin.

What Does Non-Comedogenic Actually Mean

The Comedogenicity Rating Scale

The comedogenic rating scale was invented to help identify which ingredients are more or less likely to clog your pores. 

One of the most well-known comedogenicity scales is the one attributed to Dr. Albert Kligman in the 1970s. Dr. Kligman was a dermatologist and researcher. He conducted experiments in which various substances, including oils, were applied to the skin to determine their potential to cause acne or other skin issues. Based on the results of these experiments, he assigned comedogenicity ratings to different substances on a scale from 0 to 5, with 0 being non-comedogenic (unlikely to clog pores) and 5 being highly comedogenic (likely to clog pores).

Over the years, other researchers and dermatologists have refined and expanded upon this work, leading to the development of various comedogenicity scales and databases used by the skincare and cosmetics industry to assess the safety of their products.

Unfortunately, it's not a perfect scale and it's a bit controversial for some reasons.

Why is the Rating Scale Controversial

The comedogenic scale, used to evaluate skincare and cosmetic ingredients for their pore-clogging potential, is a contentious concept for several reasons:

• • Individual Variability: It doesn't account for diverse skin types and sensitivities.

  • Lack of Standardization: There's no universal standard for scoring, causing inconsistencies in ratings and interpretations.

  • Incomplete Data: Comedogenicity scores are based on limited studies, which might not accurately represent real-world use.

  • Marketing Confusion: Companies employ comedogenicity labels in their marketing, confusing consumers about product suitability. To make an official claim that a product is non-comedogenic, specific human testing should be performed.

  • Short-Term Focus: Many comedogenicity studies are short-term and may not reveal the long-term effects of ingredients on the skin.

  • Animal Testing Methods: Historically, comedogenicity was tested using animal models like rabbit ears, which does not fully correlate with human skin.

  • Concentration Matters: Comedogenicity can vary with ingredient concentration. For instance, a tiny amount of coconut oil may have a different effect than using it in its pure, undiluted form.

  • Product Interactions: Comedogenicity scores often assess ingredients in isolation, without considering how they might interact with other ingredients in a product.

  • Environmental Factors: Skin reactions are influenced by environmental factors such as climate, humidity, and pollution, which comedogenicity scores typically don't account for.

  • Ingredient Variability: Not all forms of a specific ingredient are created equal. Variations in ingredient sourcing, purity, and processing can impact its comedogenicity.

  • Skin Barrier Health: The condition of an individual's skin barrier, influenced by genetics, age, and prior skincare routines, affects how their skin responds to products, regardless of comedogenicity ratings.

  • Overly Simplistic: The 0 to 5 scale may oversimplify the complexities of skin reactions, leading to inaccurate assessments of ingredient safety.

  • Cultural Differences: Different cultures may have varying skincare practices and needs, making a one-size-fits-all comedogenicity rating less relevant on a global scale.

Oleic Acid Is Not the Enemy (It’s All About Balance)

Carrier oils play a vital role in skincare and are commonly used as the base for beauty and wellness products. 

Often oils that are high in oleic acid cause higher rates of pore-clogging. However, it's essential to understand oleic acid itself is not the culprit behind comedogenicity. Instead, the balance between oleic acid and linoleic acid in a carrier oil determines its comedogenic properties.

Oleic acid isn't a "bad" oil, but it needs to be offset with high levels of linoleic acid to ensure you receive the positive benefits and not the side effects. Oils, like argan, that are high in oleic acid AND linoleic acid are the best for your facial skin because the balance gives you the best of both worlds - the oleic acid moisturizes, and the linoleic acid reduces inflammation and acne.

Top 18 Best Non Comedogenic Face Oils

As a rule, if you have oily or acne-prone skin and are worried about clogging pores, the very best noncomedogenic oil to start with is squalane. 

Squalane is bioidentical to your own skin oil (with the exception of one hydrogen bond) and it's a purified, fractionated oil. This means the only thing contained in squalane is squalane. 

Here is the rest of our list broken down based on your skin type:

Best noncomedogenic oils for irritated, sensitive, acne-prone, or oily skin: 

Stick with face oils that have a comedogenic rating of 0-1, have high levels of linoleic acid and other beneficial fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory.

Grapeseed, Abyssinian, Hempseed, Safflower, Sunflower

Non-pore clogging oils suitable for most skin types:

Argan, Borage, Sweet Almond, Rosehip, Meadowfoam, Pomegranate

Best noncomedogenic oils for mature or dry skin: 

With dry skin, you can safely branch out to oils with a bit more richness. 

Oat, Plum, Jojoba, Camelia, Apricot Kernel, Evening Primrose

Many of the above oils made it onto our list of best oils for healing scars for the same reasons - heal inflammation, prevent acne, support the barrier, and prevent water loss. 

Expert Tips for Using Non-Comedogenic Oils Effectively

You can incorporate face oil in many different ways! Our non comedogenic oils list is a great place to get started, but knowing how to use them is the next step.

The Single Oil Approach

If you're particularly worried about clogged pores or sensitivities, start with a single oil. Your best bet would be squalane. You can use this full strength directly on your face.

DIY Carrier Oil Blends

After researching options and matching oils to your skin type and skincare concerns, choose any number of them to mix together and make your own topical face oil. Choose the highest quality, organic carrier oils you can find.

As a general rule, we recommend a 3-5 facial oil blend when you're getting started. That makes it easy to adjust the ratios of each oil and find a blend that works for you. If you're looking for some tailored suggestions, check out how we designed our CoreComplex™ Oil Blends for inspiration.

Commercially Prepared Face Oils

Most of your favourite skincare brands will have an oil or two to choose from and you can incorporate them into your skincare routine as described above.

Shopping with a specialist brand, like bareLUXE, will up the ante and have you finding more complex and powerful oil serums for more visible results.

Oil Cleansing

The comedogenicity stakes aren't quite as high when you're oil-cleansing because pore clogging is less likely when the oils are washed away. However, this is a great time to try out other non-comedogenic oils that you might not routinely use on your face.

Castor oil is a great example. Because of it's fatty acid profile, it feels quite thick/substantial on the skin. It's still non-comedogenic and wont clog pores, in fact it helps to cleanse them better than many other oils.

Common Myths About Non-Comedogenic Oils

You still need to be judicious and attentive to your skin, even if the oils you're using are unlikely to clog pores. Here are a few myths in need of busting:

• Non-Comedogenic Means It Won't Cause Breakouts: While non-comedogenic oils are less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts, they are not entirely risk-free. People with sensitive or highly acne-prone skin might still experience issues with non-comedogenic oils. It's important to consider individual skin types and perform a patch test when trying a new oil.

• You Shouldn't Use Oils on Oily Skin: Oils can actually help balance oil production in oily skin types by providing hydration. Some non-comedogenic oils, like jojoba oil, are particularly good for regulating sebum production.

• You Can Apply Non-Comedogenic Oils Without Limit: While non-comedogenic oils are generally safe, it's still important not to overuse them. Using too much oil, even non-comedogenic ones, creates a greasy feeling on the skin. A little goes a long way.

• Diluting Essential Oils Makes Them Non-Comedogenic: While diluting essential oils with a carrier oil can reduce their concentration and potential for skin irritation, it doesn't automatically make them non-comedogenic. The comedogenicity of an essential oil depends on its specific properties and essential fatty acids.

• Non-Comedogenic Oils are Non-Irritating: This can be true, like with sunflower seed oil and grapeseed oil. However, if you suffer from atopic dermatitis, allergies, or sensitive skin, some oils are better for you than others. This is another place where squalane comes into play as an excellent 'go-to" oil to start with.