You might be surprised to learn that the tendency for products to clog pores is a highly individual process, influenced by various factors such as your skin type and how your skin reacts to certain ingredients. There is no one-size-fits-all formula, because we are all different. For example, some people with dry skin find our most nourishing ceramide cream to be lightweight and prefer something even richer, while others with oily skin may claim that even our water-based toner (which contains no potentially comedogenic ingredients) clogs their pores.
Sometimes people misunderstand what "clogged pores" means and use the term to describe almost anything, including salicylic acid (which actually helps clean pores) and retinol (one of the most well-researched ingredients for acne treatment). I’ve even seen such comments about serums that contain nothing but centella. I believe this happens because everyone defines "clogging" differently.
Occasionally, I come across feedback like “the mist clogged my pores.” Our hydrating mist contains amino acids, mushroom extract, and peptides—there are no butters, comedogenic emollients, or petroleum-derived ingredients, which are typically the ones that create an occlusive layer and provoke acne. So objectively, there’s nothing in it that should clog pores.
Since everyone’s skin is different, product reactions vary. Some of our clients use an acid serum followed by Retinol 2.0 with no issues—if I did that, my skin would likely react poorly. The same applies to comedogenicity. We avoid potentially pore-clogging ingredients, and even if a cream contains shea butter, it is only in small, safe amounts to ensure it is comfortable for oily skin. We prefer using non-comedogenic oils like grapeseed oil, which doesn’t clog pores.
However, breakouts that are often associated with clogged pores may also indicate issues like thickened sebum or other factors contributing to the formation of comedones. These issues require a comprehensive solution.
