What Are the Best Non-Comedogenic Skincare Products?

Comedones are the small bumps that appear on the skin when pores are clogged, and are typically a problem for acne-prone skin. Both closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads) contain the same debris: flakes of skin cells, dirt, and oil.

So what causes comedones to form? Excessive oil production can contribute to clogged pores, as well as the skincare products that you use on your face. Comedogenic ingredients are those that are known to clog pores, while non-comedogenic ingredients do not clog pores.

Look for these top non-comedogenic products to help prevent acne and maintain smooth, clear skin.

The Best Non-Comedogenic Cleansers

Cleansers that contain salicylic acid such as NoLIO Salicylic Cleanser are a good choice for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid that deeply cleanses your pores, while also imparting anti-inflammatory benefits to calm current acne symptoms and help prevent future breakouts.

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) cleansers like Essopi Glycolic 10% Moisturizing Cleanser can also be a good choice for those with clogged pores, as glycolic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells from the surface so they cannot build up and clog pores.

The Best Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Moisturizer is a great choice for oily skin types struggling with acne. This moisturizer contains micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid to remove shine and lightly moisturize the skin without clogging pores.

PCA Clear Skin is another light noncomedogenic moisturizer suitable for oily skin types. This product also contains anti-redness ingredients like borage seed oil to help calm inflammation and soothe sensitive skin.

The Best Non-Comedogenic Anti-Aging Cream

When looking for an anti-aging moisturizer that won’t clog your pores, choose a product like Essopi Antioxidant Cream that will offer both light hydration and the power of strong antioxidants to reverse oxidative stress. While you can certainly eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, you’ll also want to use a topical antioxidant cream, since oral antioxidants do not reach the skin in high amounts.

The Best Non-Comedogenic Products for Dry Skin

Have dry skin and need moisturizing non-comedogenic skincare products? These are my favorite picks for you:

Zerafite Creamy Cleanser and Shaving Cream: An acne-safe, creamy cleanser that won’t clog pores
Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer: An acne-safe moisturizer for dry skin
Zerafite Ultra Rich Body Cream: An acne-safe body cream

Which Ingredients Clog Pores?

Which comedogenic ingredients should you avoid, especially if you have acne-prone skin?

Best data on comedogenicity of skin care ingredients can be found in these resources:

Click here to find a continuously updated current list of pore clogging ingredients.

This list of acne causing ingredients comes from these classic studies:

Kligman, A. M., & KWONG, T. (1979). An improved rabbit ear model for assessing comedogenic substances. British Journal of Dermatology, 100(6), 699-702.

Fulton Jr, J. E., Pay, S. R., & Fulton III, J. E. (1984). Comedogenicity of current therapeutic products, cosmetics, and ingredients in the rabbit ear. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 10(1), 96-105.

Nguyen, S. H., Dang, T. P., & Maibach, H. I. (2007). Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles. Cutaneous and ocular toxicology, 26(4), 287-292.

Mills, O. H., & Kligman, A. M. (1982). A human model for assessing comedogenic substances. Archives of Dermatology, 118(11), 903-905.

These ingredients that cause acne can be found in skin care, hair care and color cosmetics.

Bottom Line

Choose the right non-comedogenic cleanser, moisturizer, and treatment products for your Baumann Skin Type® if you struggle with acne and whiteheads and blackheads. If you don’t know your Baumann Skin Type® yet, find a physician in your area who can give you the validated skin typing questionnaire .

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