Pore Clogging Ingredients Checker

Are your pores clogged?  What ingredients can clog pores?  Below is my Pore clogging ingredients checker that will help you stay away from these items.

Pore Clogging ingredients checker

If you’ve suffered from blemishes, whether they are pimples or blackheads (like if you get blackheads on nose), you know about clogged pores.  There are several pore clogging ingredients that you should stay away from if you want to have clear skin.

So, what ingredients can clog pores?  Let’s look at the pore clogging ingredients checker checklist!

Acne pore clogging list

After all my trial and error, I have discovered some absolute ingredients that clog my pores.  These are the ones you should stay away from and why they are on the pore clogging ingredients checker list.

• Coconut oil – I love coconut oil, especially in the kitchen. I also love that it’s a natural ingredient that can be used for moisturizing.  However, if you have a problem with oily skin or are acne prone, you should not use this on your face or anywhere you tend to get acne.  Despite that, I would still recommend using this on other areas of your body like your legs or your feet!
• Cocoa butter – another great natural ingredient that is great for some things but not if you have a problem with acne. Again, only use this on parts of your body that you don’t have a problem with breakouts.
• Olive oil – this one could also cause problems so be careful with this one as well. It’s a great hand moisturizer though!
• Sweet almond oil – yes, another natural ingredient that can clog pores – although not as bad as coconut oil and cocoa butter. In fact, I can use this on my back and not have a problem.  So, if this ingredient is in your skin care product and you’re not breaking out, you’re OK.  But, if you’ve had an acne issue, this could be the cause.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate – check your skin care products to see if this ingredient is there. Many times, it is.  Don’t just check the face products, check your shampoo, conditioner or other hair products you are using because this ingredient can block your pores.  Think about it – if you put this in your hair, your hair touches your neck, face, back and maybe even your upper arms and chest.  This can cause body acne and you may not have realized it!
• Isopropyl myristate – this is a synthetic oil and can clog pores, if in high concentration.
• Panthenol – there is conflicting information on if panthenol clogs pores, but I have found it to be problematic and don’t use any product that contains it, even shampoo because I tend to get breakouts on my neck and back because of it.

Possible pore cloggers

One ingredient, called Di heptyl succinate, is an emollient but there isn’t much data on if it clogs pores or not.  I’ll be watching this one.

Clogged pores treatment

What happens now that you used something that caused a breakout?  Here are the steps I would do to clear up your skin plus other tips on how to get rid of pimples fast:

1. Stop using the offending product and get rid of it (unless you can use it somewhere else. For example, if it’s a moisturizer, you can possibly use it on your dry legs – just don’t use it on your face or anywhere you are acne prone).
2. You need to let your acne heal. Therefore, make sure you cleanse gently – twice a day.  Use an acne spot treatment, if appropriate.
3. It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to clear up. Be patient.  If you leave the acne alone (don’t pop, squeeze or pick at your pimples).
4. Once the acne has healed, go ahead and continue to cleanse like you normally would. At this time, you can add exfoliation back into your skin care regimen.

So, there you have it – your Pore clogging ingredients checker.  These are the top ones to look out for.  I’ll add others as I discover them myself so you can keep track of what you’re putting on your skin.  Feel free to send in your problematic list of ingredients.