18 Worst Face Oils for Skin – Avoid These Comedogenic Oils

Written by Dr. Heather Smith without Ai generated content. Links are non-affiliate.

Not all face oils are good for your skin—some clog pores, trigger irritation, or come with sustainability concerns. But how do you know which ones to avoid?

As a skincare formulator specializing in face oils, I've spent years studying their effects. While no oil is universally “bad,” some are far from ideal—especially for facial use. Whether due to comedogenicity, inflammation triggers, allergen risks, or environmental impact, certain oils belong on your do-not-use list for skincare.

This guide breaks down the 18 worst face oils, explaining why they might be problematic and which better alternatives to consider.

What Gets an Oil onto the bareLUXE Bad List

When you think of face oils, you automatically think "all-natural," which is usually true. However, targeting natural ingredients is only the tip of the iceberg when designing a product for your face.

Many of these oils have a role in skincare; small amounts of some of them even land themselves in one of our products for one reason or another. However, these oils are far from our list of favourites, and most should just be avoided for the face altogether.

In our quest for better skincare, specific characteristics might bump an oil onto the bareLUXE bad list:

• Comedogenicity (how likely they are to clog your pores)
• Inflammation trigger
• Common or severe allergen
• Sustainability concerns
• Humanitarian concerns
• Animal rights concerns
• Petrochemical industry relationship

The purpose of this article isn't to demonize certain oils but to arm you, the informed consumer, with knowledge. By understanding these nuances, you can make skincare choices that align with your skin's needs and your values and ethics.

So, let's delve in and uncover the lesser-known side of these oils.

18 Worst Face Oils and Why

🌾 Wheat Germ Oil

Issue: Comedogenic

Wheat germ oil has a comedogenic rating of 5, making it one of the most pore-clogging oils for the face. Its thick, sticky texture prevents absorption, leading to blackheads and acne. The high diglyceride content further increases pore congestion because of the way the molecules interact with skin lipids, making it unsuitable for acne-prone skin, especially on the face.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 5 (very high)
🔹 Absorption: Thick, sticky, slow to absorb
🔹 Main concern: Clogs pores, increases acne risk

🥥 Coconut Oil

Issue: Comedogenic

Coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4, meaning it is highly likely to clog pores. It contains 50% lauric acid, a heavy saturated fat that traps sebum and dead skin cells under the skin, increasing acne risk. 

Despite the popularity of coconut oil in DIY skincare due to its hydration and antimicrobial benefits, its pore-clogging potential suggests that it's best avoided on the face, particularly for those with oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin types.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 4 (high)
🔹 Texture: Heavy, solid at room temperature
🔹 Main concern: Traps sebum, worsens acne

🌍 Marula Oil

Issue: Comedogenic

Marula oil is rich in oleic acid (70-78%) and palmitic acid (up to 12%), making it too heavy for acne-prone skin. The lack of linoleic acid also makes it more likely to cause inflammation or irritation. Marula oil sits on the skin's surface, trapping excess oil and dead skin cells, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. A better option for dry skin types.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3-4 (moderate to high)
🔹 Main concern: Thick texture increases congestion
🔹 Best for: Dry or mature skin

🌱 Soybean Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability, Common Allergen

Soybean oil has a comedogenic rating of 3-4, meaning it can clog pores and contribute to breakouts.  It has a high phytosterol content, especially beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. While these compounds have been associated with potential anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects when ingested, topically, they affect the skin's lipid barrier and contribute to pore-clogging through altered sebum production. 

Soybean oil is a common allergen, with soy allergies being one of the most prevalent food allergies globally. Topical application in sensitive individuals can lead to inflammation and irritation

Additionally, soybean farming is linked to deforestation, heavy pesticide use, land rights issues, particularly in developing countries where large tracts of land are often used for mono-cropping soy. This can result in displacement of local communities, loss of biodiversity, and alteration of local ecosystems.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3-4 (moderate to high)
🔹 Main concern: Pore-clogging, sustainability issues
🔹 Allergy risk: Common food allergen

🌽 Corn Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability

Corn oil has a comedogenic rating of 3, meaning it can contribute to clogged pores. It is high in Omega-6 fatty acids, which may trigger inflammation and breakouts. Corn cultivation is also pesticide-intensive, raising environmental concerns.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3 (moderate)
🔹 Main concern: Pore-clogging, inflammatory properties
🔹 Environmental concern: High pesticide use

🌱 Canola Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability, Inflammatory

Canola oil is not ideal for facial skincare due to its high oleic acid content (>65%), which can disrupt the skin barrier and increase inflammation. It has a comedogenic rating of 3-4, meaning it may clog pores, especially in acne-prone skin.

Canola, or rapeseed, is a high-yield crop, meaning farmers often choose it to maximize their profits. This leads to mono-cropping, a practice that depletes soil nutrients, reduces biodiversity, and makes ecosystems more vulnerable to pests and diseases. This, in turn, results in the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Moreover, much of the canola oil on the market is genetically modified (GM). While the safety of GM crops for human consumption is a hotly debated topic, their impact on biodiversity is a definite concern

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3-4 (moderate)
🔹 Main concern: May cause inflammation and breakouts
🔹 Environmental concern: Often GMO and mono-cropped

🌾 Cottonseed Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability

Cottonseed oil has moderate pore-clogging potential, making it a poor choice for facial skincare. It is also one of the most pesticide-intensive crops, contributing to soil degradation and environmental concerns.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3 (moderate)
🔹 Main concern: May clog pores, sustainability concerns
🔹 Environmental concern: High pesticide use and heavy solvent requirement for extraction

🌿 Flaxseed Oil (Linseed Oil)

Issue: Comedogenic

Flaxseed oil is rich in Omega-3s, but it is highly unstable and oxidizes quickly, leading to skin irritation. Its thick texture also makes it more likely to clog pores, especially for oily skin. Flaxseed oil is best for your salad, not your face.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3 (moderate)
🔹 Main concern: Prone to oxidation, may clog pores
🔹 Best for: Body care, not facial use

🌴 Palm Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability, Humanitarian

Palm oil has 44% palmitic acid, making it highly pore-clogging. Its production is also linked to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and unethical labor practices. Moreover, the palm oil industry is frequently criticized for poor working conditions and labour rights violations, raising serious humanitarian concerns. Avoid using raw palm oil on the face. Avoiding palm oil-derived ingredients is nearly impossible, so paying close attention to supply chain analysis and ethical source confirmation is critical.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 4 (high)
🔹 Main concern: Clogs pores, ethical concerns
🔹 Environmental concern: Deforestation, human rights violations

🫒 Olive Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Inflammatory

Olive oil has a high oleic acid content (55-83%), which can disrupt the skin barrier and cause inflammation. It may also trap bacteria, making it a poor choice for acne-prone skin.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 2-3 (low to moderate)
🔹 Main concern: Potential for barrier disruption
🔹 Best for: Dry or mature skin

🐦 Emu Oil

Issue: Animal Cruelty

Emu oil is derived from emu fat, raising ethical concerns. While it is highly moisturizing, it does not offer unique benefits over plant-based oils like squalane.

🔹 Main concern: Animal cruelty, ethical concerns
🔹 Alternative: Plant-based oils like squalane

🐾 Mink Oil

Issue: Animal Cruelty

Mink oil is harvested from farmed minks, raising ethical concerns. It has occlusive properties but is not superior to vegan alternatives like jojoba oil.

🔹 Main concern: Animal cruelty, sustainability concerns
🔹 Alternative: Jojoba oil, squalane

🐑 Lanolin

Issue: Animal Cruelty, Common Allergen

Lanolin is a wax secreted by sheep. It is a common allergen that can cause irritation and contact dermatitis. While effective for dry skin, plant-based options are gentler and more sustainable.

🔹 Main concern: Common allergen, ethical concerns
🔹 Alternative: Shea butter, plant-based emollients

🐮 Tallow

Issue: Comedogenic, Animal Cruelty

Beef tallow is not good for your skin. This is a viral social media trend that needs to die. Tallow is a rendered fat from cows or sheep and has a high saturated fat content, making it prone to clogging pores. Ethical concerns also arise due to its animal-derived nature.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 3-4 (moderate to high)
🔹 Main concern: Pore-clogging, ethical concerns
🔹 Alternative: Shea butter, plant-based alternatives

🦈 Shark Squalane

Issue: Animal Cruelty

Shark-derived squalane is obtained from shark liver oil, contributing to marine biodiversity loss. Plant-based squalane offers the same benefits without environmental harm.

🔹 Main concern: Overfishing, marine conservation
🔹 Alternative: Sugarcane-derived squalane

🛢️ Mineral Oil

Issue: Petrochemical Industry

Mineral oil is a byproduct of petroleum refining. While it is not comedogenic, it lacks additional skincare benefits and is linked to environmental concerns. This is why we don’t recommend using baby oil for your face. 

🔹 Main concern: Non-renewable sourcing
🔹 Alternative: Plant-based oils with similar occlusive properties

🥜 Peanut Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Sustainability, Common Allergen

Peanut oil has a comedogenic rating of 2-3, meaning it can clog pores in some individuals. It contains over 50% oleic acid, which may disrupt the skin barrier and increase inflammation. Additionally, peanuts are a common allergen, and peanut farming has a high environmental impact due to pesticide and water usage.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 2-3 (low to moderate)
🔹 Main concern: Allergen risk, may clog pores
🔹 Environmental concern: High water and pesticide use

🌻 High-Oleic Sunflower Oil

Issue: Comedogenic, Inflammatory

High-oleic sunflower oil has elevated levels of oleic acid, which can increase inflammation and weaken the skin barrier over time. Unlike regular sunflower oil, which is high in linoleic acid and beneficial for acne-prone or sensitive skin, this variant is heavier and more likely to cause breakouts.

🔹 Comedogenic rating: 2-3
🔹 Main concern: High oleic acid disrupts skin balance
🔹 Best for: Dry skin, but not ideal for acne-prone skin

Skip the Worst – Try These Skin-Friendly Oils Instead

We wouldn't dream of leaving you hanging with only our "banned" list!

If you're looking for a face oil that's versatile and essentially guaranteed to be compatible with your skin, find a high-quality, plant-based squalane and start there. 

Not all face oils are created equal. If you're ready to explore the best options, start with our face oil guide and our list of favourite non-comedogenic oils.

📌 Find the Right Face Oil for Your Skin Type:

🌿 Dry Skin – Deep moisture without heaviness

🌾 Sensitive Skin – Soothing oils that calm irritation

✨ Mature Skin – Nourishing oils for elasticity & glow

🛑 Acne-Prone or Oily Skin – Non-comedogenic options that won’t clog pores

💇‍♀️ Hair Oils – Strengthen & hydrate for healthy locks

🧼 Cleansing Oils – Melt away makeup without stripping skin

Final Thoughts

Navigating the world of facial oils can often feel like stepping into a labyrinth. With so many oils on the market, each with its unique composition and purported benefits, it can be challenging to know what will work best for your skin and align with your values.

However, the shades of grey we've discussed remind us that these oils aren't inherently 'bad.' In specific contexts and formulations, many of them can offer notable benefits. Some can contribute positively to sustainability and humanitarian efforts when responsibly sourced and used. The key is understanding potential trade-offs, making informed decisions, and always listening to your skin's responses.

Remember, skincare is personal. What works for one person might not work for another, and that's okay. The world of facial oils is vast and diverse, offering ample opportunities to find what suits your skin needs and aligns with your convictions.

Your journey in skincare is about finding a balance – between your skin's needs, your health, your values, and the impact your choices have on the wider world.