Pore-Clogging Ingredients List

Say goodbye to breakouts with our comprehensive pore-clogging ingredients list! This simple guide helps you identify potential acne-causing culprits hidden in skincare, haircare, makeup, toothpaste and laundry detergents. While these ingredients may not be the root cause of your acne, they definitely play a role, and can aggravate acne-prone skin.
Pore-Clogging List A - D
  • Acetylated Lanolin
  • Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol
  • Algae Extract
  • Algin
  • Beeswax
  • Cera Alba
  • White Wax
  • Bismuth
  • Bismuth Oxychloride
  • Butyl Stearate
  • Carrageenan
  • Chondrus Crispus
  • Irish Moss
  • Carageenan Moss
  • Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20
  • Ceteareth-20
  • Cetearyl Alcohol
  • Cetyl Acetate
  • Chlorella
  • Coal Tar
  • Cocoa Butter
  • Theobroma Cacao Butter
  • Coconut Alkanes
  • Coconut Butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Cocos nucifera
  • Cocos nucifera oil
  • Colloidal Sulfur
  • Cotton Seed Oil
  • Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil
  • Corn oil
  • Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
  • D & C Red # 17
  • D & C Red # 21
  • D & C Red # 3
  • D & C Red # 30
  • D & C Red # 36
  • Decyl Oleate
  • Dioctyl Succinate
  • Disodium Monooleamido
  • Acetylated Lanolin
  • Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol
  • Algae Extract
  • Algin
  • Beeswax
  • Cera Alba
  • White Wax
  • Bismuth
  • Bismuth Oxychloride
  • Butyl Stearate
  • Carrageenan
  • Chondrus Crispus
  • Irish Moss
  • Carageenan Moss
  • Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20
  • Ceteareth-20
  • Cetearyl Alcohol
  • Cetyl Acetate
  • Chlorella
  • Coal Tar
  • Cocoa Butter
  • Theobroma Cacao Butter
  • Coconut Alkanes
  • Coconut Butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Cocos nucifera
  • Cocos nucifera oil
  • Colloidal Sulfur
  • Cotton Seed Oil
  • Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil
  • Corn oil
  • Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
  • D & C Red # 17
  • D & C Red # 21
  • D & C Red # 3
  • D & C Red # 30
  • D & C Red # 36
  • Decyl Oleate
  • Dioctyl Succinate
  • Disodium Monooleamido
  • Ethoxylated Lanolin
  • Ethylhexyl Palmitate
  • Glyceryl Stearate SE
  • Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate
  • Hexadecyl Alcohol
  • Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
  • Isocetyl Alcohol
  • Isocetyl Stearate
  • Isodecyl Oleate
  • Isopropyl Isostearate
  • Isopropyl Linolate
  • Isopropyl Myristate
  • Isopropyl Palmitate
  • Isostearyl Isostearate
  • Isostearyl Neopentanoate
  • Jojoba wax
  • Kelp
  • Laminaria Digitata Extract
  • Laminaria Saccharina Extract
  • Laminaria Saccharine
  • Laureth-23
  • Laureth-4
  • Lauric Acid
  • Mink Oil
  • Myristic Acid
  • Myristyl Lactate
  • Myristyl Myristate
  • Octyl Palmitate
  • Octyl Stearate
  • Oleth-3
  • Oleyl Alcohol
  • Parkii
  • PEG 2- Sulfosuccinate
  • PEG 16 Lanolin
  • PEG 200 Dilaurate
  • PEG 8 Stearate
  • PG Monostearate
  • PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate
  • Plankton
  • Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Propylene Glycol Monostearate
  • Red Algae
  • Seaweed
  • Shea
  • Shark Liver Oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Solulan 16
  • Sorbitan Oleate
  • Soybean Oil
  • Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
  • Soyabean Oil
  • Spirulina
  • Steareth 10
  • Steareth-10
  • Stearic Acid Tea
  • Tea-Stearic Acid
  • Stearyl Heptanoate
  • Sulfated Castor Oil
  • Turkey Red Oil
  • Sulfated Jojoba Oil
  • Wheat Germ Glyceride
  • Wheat Germ Oil
  • Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
  • Xylene

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Ingredient Q&A

How can I check my products for pore-clogging ingredients?

Just copy and paste your product’s ingredient list into our Ingredient Checker tool above! It will scan for common pore-clogging ingredients that may be triggering breakouts. If any red flags pop up, consider switching to acne-safe alternatives—your skin will thank you. Not sure what to replace it with? Check out our curated shop for esthetician-approved, acne-safe products.

Yes! Our virtual acne care services are just as thorough as in-person visits. You’ll meet 1-on-1 with an acne expert who will assess your skin, review your current products, identify triggers, and build a custom routine with acne-safe products. Ongoing support and check-ins keep your progress on track—no matter where you live.

We specialize exclusively in acne—it's all we do. As certified Face Reality Acne Experts, we take a clinical, customized approach that looks at your skin, lifestyle, and internal triggers. Whether you're working with us locally or virtually, our goal is to get you clear using acne-safe products and real science, not one-size-fits-all solutions.

Yes! Certain supplements can support clearer skin—especially when paired with the right skincare routine. We recommend acne-safe options like Face Reality's Zinc and Antioxidant supplements, which help reduce inflammation and support skin health from the inside out. You can find both in our shop, hand-picked for their safety and effectiveness for acne-prone skin.

Most hair, skin, and nail vitamins are not acne-safe. Many contain high levels of biotin, B12, or iodine, which can trigger breakouts in acne-prone skin. If you’re trying to clear your skin, it’s best to avoid these discuss alternatives with your acne expert.