Cosmetic constituents that might clog skin pores. Stay away from them!

Today we’re going to focus on the subject that many of us pretend it doesn’t exist: COSMETIC CONSTITUENTS THAT MIGHT CLOG SKIN PORES!

We’re convinced that when something is destined for skin, it won’t harm our body. The sad truth though is that hundreds of beauty products (‘hundreds’ is the optimistic version) which are available in every drug store contain comedogenic compounds, which in plain English means that they clog skin pores.

Clogged skin pores: The dawn of skin problems

If the core of the problem was the fact that skin pores are clogged due to use of a particular cosmetic, then the solution would be simple. Basically, it would be enough just to cleanse skin once in a while – and that would be pretty all.

Unfortunately, clogged skin pores, known commonly as comedones, are just the top of the iceberg. In fact, they are just the beginning of skin problems such as irritations, redness, seborrhea and even acne. The impurities gathering in skin outlets cause inflammation which leads straight to the development of various skin blemishes. Besides, these tiny black spots on skin don’t look pretty, do they?

What clogs skin pores the most often?

Beauty products. Okay, not all beauty products but only those which contain so-called comedogenic substances. Although some of them clog skin pores in a lesser degree than others, it’s better to know them all.

Below you’ll find the strongest comedogenic substances:

pure coconut oil,
cocoa butter,
caprylic acid,
glyceryl stearate,
sodium chloride,
palmitic acid,
red colorant,
propylene glycol (PEG 75).

Are natural oils comedogenic?

Well, yes and no. It depends on the type of oil, its quality and the amounts of it that we apply to face. I’m a fan of using natural oils in skin care therefore I’ll defend them against this unfair belief that every type of oil leaves skin pores clogged. Trust me, not all oils do that – here’s why.

The rule is simple: Natural oil displays comedogenic properties only if ill-matched with skin type.

I suggest you to choose oils accordingly to the instructions given below:

NATURAL OILS FOR OILY FACE SKIN: they should contain over 50% poly-unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6)
NATURAL OILS FOR NORMAL AND COMBINATION SKIN: they have to contain 20-50% omega-3 and omega-6 acids
NATURAL OILS FOR DRY SKIN: heavier because they contain less than 20% poly-unsaturated acids, and more saturated acids

When describing comedogenic substances and defend the honor of natural oils, I have to call for JOJOBA OIL – this is the finest oil to be used in face care, it serves all skin types without exceptions, doesn’t clog skin pores, is well-absorbed and is able to improve the look of skin. These positive features are credited to the oil’s composition that is found similar to human sebum. It’s just the best!

It’s worth realizing that…

Not all oils have comedogenic effects on every person, but this rule doesn’t apply only to oils, right? All of the above-mentioned substances, which clog skin pores, create this adverse effect but only when used in galore. A single use of caprylic acid doesn’t generate the ‘rash’ of comedones. These black spots are the result of regular application of ill-matching cosmetics and neglecting to cleanse skin.

Fun Fact! The most comedone-prone is face skin – especially combination, oily and acne. Body skin seems to be less troublesome in this case. This problem doesn’t exist in foot and hand skin.

Final advice. How to free skin from comedones?

When it sadly happen that comedones appear – despite the fact that we have eliminated comedogenic substances from our skin care – it’s worth knowing how to get rid of these blemishes. Trust me, this battle can be won. There are many cleansing products and home remedies to sort this issue out.

My ways of dealing with comedones: