Blog Post

Are Your Skin Products Causing Your Breakouts?

  • By belaray
  • 14 Jun, 2008
Did you know that some ingredients in cosmetics, medications, make up, sunblocks, shaving creams, and hair care products can cause pimples and skin irritation? The only way to tell if your products may be contributing to your skin problem is to know what ingredients might be bad for your skin. Here is a list to […]
Here is a list to help you of common ingredients, rated for both comedogenicity (COM), and irritancy (IRR). “0” is a good score, and “5” is the worst score. If you have acne prone, or sensitive skin, you should use caution when using a product with an ingredient that scores a “3”, “4”, or “5”.
If you find an ingredient not on this list, let us know and we will add it.
This list is alphabetized for your convenience. Print it out, and bring it with you to your next visit to the cosmetic counter.

FAMILY

NAME COM
GRADE
IRR
GRADE
Solvent Acetone 0 5
Lanolins & Derivatives Acetylated Lanolin 4 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol 4 2
Botanicals Algae Extract 5 4
Minerals Algin 4 4
Preservatives & Additives Allantoin 0 0
Natural Oils Almond Oil 2 0
Botanicals Aloe Vera Gel 0 0
Miscellaneous Aminomethylpropionate 0 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Anhydrous Lanolin 0-1 0
Natural Oils Apricot Kernel Oil 2 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Arachidic Acid 2 0
Vitamins & Herbs Ascorbic Acid 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Ascorbyl Palmitate 2 0
Natural Oils Avocado Oil 2 0
Hydrocarbon Azulene 2 0
Antioxidant BHA 2 3
Waxes Beeswax 0-2 0-2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Behenic Acid 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Behenyl Triglyceride 0 0
Clay Bentonite 0 0
Fragrance Benzaldehyde 2 2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Benzoic Acid 2 3
Antioxidant Beta Carotene 1 0
Vitamins & Herbs Black Walnut Extract 0 0
Proteins & Enzymes Bromelain 0 0
Natural Oils Bubussa Oil 1 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Butyl Stearate 3 0
Antioxidant Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) 2 3
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Butylene Glycol 1 0
Natural Oils Cajeput Oil 2 4
Botanicals Calendula 1 0
Natural Oils Camphor 2 2
Waxes Candelilla Wax 1 1
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Capric Acid 2 2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Caprylic Acid 1 3
Miscellaneous Carbomer 0 1
Thickeners & Emulsifiers Carbomer 940 1 0
Sodium Carboxypropylcellulose 1 0
Pigments Carmine 0 0
Waxes Carnuba Wax 1 1
Antioxidant Carotene 1 0
Botanicals Carrageenan 5 2
Natural Oils Castor Oil 1 0
Waxes Ceresin Wax 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Cetearyl Alcohol 2 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20 4 1
Lanolins & Derivatives Cetyl Acetate 4 0-3
Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives Cetyl Alcohol 2 2
Botanicals Chamomile 2 0
Botanicals Chamomile Extract 0 0
Natural Oils Chaulomoogra Oil 1 0
Sterols Cholesterol 0 0
Sterols Choleth 24 0 0
Pigments Chromium Hydroxide 0 0
Natural Oils Cocoa Butter 4 0
Natural Oils Coconut Butter 4 0
Natural Oils Coconut Oil 4 1
Botanicals Cold Pressed Aloe Vera 0 0
Minerals Colloidal Sulfur 3 4
Natural Oils Corn Oil 2 0
Natural Oils Cotton Awws Oil 3 0
Natural Oils Cotton Seed Oil 3 0-5
Natural Oils Crisco 3 0
Silicones Cyclomethicone 0 0
Pigments D & C Red # 17 3 0
Pigment – banned by FDA D & C Red # 19 2 0
Pigments D & C Red # 21 3 0
Pigments D & C Red # 3 3 0
Pigments D & C Red # 30 3 0
Pigments D & C Red # 33 1 0
Pigments D & C Red # 36 3 0
Pigments D & C Red # 4 1 0
Pigments D & C Red # 6 1 0
Pigments D & C Red # 7 1 0
Pigments D & C Red # 9 1 0
Pigments D&C Red #27 2 0
Pigments D&C Red #40 2 2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Decyl Oleate 3 0
Miscellaneous Deionized Water 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Diisopropyl Adipate 0 0
Silicones Dimethicone 1 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Dioctyl Succinate 3 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Disodium Monooleamido PEG 2-Sulfosuccinate 4 2
Waxes Emulsifying Wax NF 0-2 0-2
Preservatives Ethyl Paraben 0 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Ethoxylated Lanolin 3 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Ethyl Ether 0 0
Miscellaneous Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Ethylene Glycol Monostearate 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Ethylhexyl Palmitate 4 0
Natural Oils Evening Primrose Oil 2 2
Minerals Flowers of Sulfur 0 3
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Glycerin 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Glyceryl Stearate NSE 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Glyceryl Stearate SE 3 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Glyceryl Tricapylo/Caprate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Glyceryl-3-Diisostearate 4 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Hexadecyl Alcohol 5 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Hexylene Glycol 2 1
Preservatives Hydantoin 0 0
Natural Oils Hydrogenated Castor Oil 1 0
Natural Oils Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil 3 0-1
Natural Oils Hydrolyzed Animal Protein 0 0
Thickeners & Emulsifiers Hydroxypropylcellulose 1 0
Pigments Iron Oxide 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isocetyl Alcohol 4 4
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Isocetyl Stearate 5 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isodecyl Oleate 4 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Isopropyl Alcohol 0 4
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isopropyl Isostearate 5 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isopropyl Linolate 5 0-3
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isopropyl Myristate 5 3
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isopropyl Palmitate 4 1
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isostearyl Isostearate 4 1
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Isostearyl Neopentanoate 3 3
Waxes Jojoba Oil 0-2 0-2
Thickeners Kaolin 0 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Lanolin Alcohol 0-2 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Lanolin Oil 1 0
Waxes Lanolin Wax 1 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Laureth 23 3 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Laureth 4 5 4
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Lauric Acid 4 1
Miscellaneous Lithium Stearate 1 0
Thickeners Magneseium Aluminum Silicate 0 0
Miscellaneous Magnesium Stearate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Menthyl Anthranilate 0 0
Preservatives Methyl Paraben 0 0
Natural Oils Mineral Oil 0 0
Natural Oils Mink Oil 3 1
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Myristic Acid 3 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Myristyl Lactate 4 2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Myristyl Myristate 5 2
Miscellaneous Octyl Dimethyl PABA 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Octyl Methoxycinnimate 0 0
Miscellaneous Octyl Palmitate 4 1
Miscellaneous Octyl Salicylate 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Octyl Stearate 5 5
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Octyldodecyl Stearate 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Oleth-3 5 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Oleth-10 2 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Oleyl Alcohol 4 2
Natural Oils Olive Oil 2 0
Miscellaneous Oxybenzone 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 40 Castor Oil 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 100 Distearate 2 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 100 Stearate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 150 Distearate 2 0
Lanolins & Derivatives PEG 16 Lanolin 4 3
Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives PEG 20 Stearate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 200 Dilaurate 3 2
Sterols PEG 5 Soya Sterol 0 0
Sterols PEG 10 Soya Sterol 0 1
Lanolins & Derivatives PEG 75 Lanolin 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PEG 8 Stearate 3 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PG Caprylate/Caprate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PG Dipelargonate 2 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PG Monostearate 3 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate 4 3
Fatty Acids & Derivatives PPG 30 Cety Ester 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Palmitic Acid 2 0
Vitamins & Herbs Panthenol 0 0
Proteins & Enzymes Papain 0 0-3
Natural Oils Peanut Oil 2 0-2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Pentarythrital Tetra Capra/Caprylate 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Pentarythrital Tetra Isostearate 2 0
Natural Oils Petrolatum 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PG Dicaprylate/Caprate 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars PG Dipelargonate 2 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400) 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Polyethylene Glycol 300 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate 4 0
Alcohol, Ester Polysorbate 20 0 0
Alcohol, Ester Polysorbate 80 0 0
Minerals Potassium Chloride 5 0-3
Minerals Precipitated Sulfur 0 0-2
Preservatives & Additives Propyl Paraben 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Propylene Glycol 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Propylene Glycol Monostearate 4 0
Botanicals Red Algae 5 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars SD Alcohol 40 0 5
Natural Oils Safflower Oil 0 0
Natural Oils Sandelwood Seed Oil 2 0
Natural Oils Sesame Oil 2 0
Oils Shark Liver Oil 3 2
Miscellaneous Simethicone 1 0
Minerals Sodium Chloride (Salt) 5 0-3
Preservatives & Additives Sodium Hyaluronate 0 0
Detergents Sodium Laureth Sulfate 3 2
Detergents Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 5 2
Miscellaneous Sodium PCA 0 0
Lanolins & Derivatives Solulan 16 4 3
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Sorbitan Laurate 1 1
Thickeners & Emulsifiers Sorbitan Oleate 3 0
Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives Sorbitan Sesquinoleate 0 0
Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives Sorbitan Stearate 0 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Sorbitol 0 0
Sterols Soya Sterol 0 0
Natural Oils Soybean Oil 3 0
Natural Oils Squalane 1 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Steareth 10 4 3
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Steareth 100 0 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Steareth 2 2 2
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Steareth 20 2 1
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Stearic Acid 2 0
Miscellaneous Stearic Acid Tea 3 2
Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives Stearyl Alcohol 2 2
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Stearyl Heptanoate 4 0
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Sterol Esters 0 0
Natural Oils Sulfated Castor Oil 3 2
Waxes Sulfated Jojoba Oil 3 2
Natural Oils Sunflower Oil 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Syearyl Heptanoate 4 0
Minerals Talc 1 0
Pigments Titanium Dioxide 0 0
Vitamins & Herbs Tocopheryl Acetate 0 0
Fatty Acids & Derivatives Tridectyl Neopentanoate 0 3
Miscellaneous Triethanolamine 2 0
Pigments Ultramarine Violet 0 0
Vitamins & Herbs Vitamin A Palmitate 2 1
Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars Wheat Germ Glyceride 3 2
Natural Oils Wheat Germ Oil 5 2
Miscellaneous Xylene 4 3
Astringent Zinc Oxide 1 0
Minerals Zinc Stearate 0 0
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