First of all I highly recommend always checking the ingredient list of the product that you are buying. If you want to know more in depth about the ingredients, then I really recommend using a website: Skincarisma to analyse the ingredients.
The rule of thumb when it comes to oily or acne-prone skin is to look for ingredients with a high comedogenic rating. Comedogenic ingredients tend to block pores and therefore they can cause more breakouts. Here are a few ingredients that tend to have a high comedogenic rating and should be avoided by people with oily or acne-prone skin.
Mineral oil
What is it?
Mineral oil is made by petroleum and helps to reduce water loss from the skin. It is a commonly used ingredient in lotions and creams.
Why is it bad?
Some of the research so far has suggested that mineral oil might contain toxins that affect our health. The comedogenic rating for mineral oil is high which means that it has the potential to clog pores. It doesn't actually provide much nutrition to skin. It is more like a layer on top of your skin that prevents moisture loss while clogging your pores...Conclusion:
You might want to avoid this one if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Missha Perfect Cover BB cream has Mineral oil |
Alcohol
What is it?
There are different kinds of alcohol used in skincare and not all of them are necessarily that bad! The bad types of alcohol are SD(super denature) alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. These are used in skincare to make the product evaporate quicker which gives you that fresh feeling. They also make the product feel weightless and the skin more matte. These are often used in toners. Fatty alcohol such as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are used as emulsifiers. These are not irritating and can be beneficial for dry skin.
Why is it bad?
SD alcohols and isopropyl alcohol are very drying and therefore bad for the skin. They can erode the surface of your skin and make the skin more sensitised on a long run. Research has actually shown that the bad types of alcohol causes skin cells to self-destruct.
Conclusion:
The idea of quickly de-greasing oily skin or acne with alcohol might sound tempting but it will actually do you more harm than good. It can make the inflammation worse and lead to redness and pimples that stay on for much longer. No matter what kind of skin type you have, avoid using products with SD alcohol or isopropyl alcohol!
Skin79 - Skin Clearing Fresh toner has denatured alcohol high up on the ingredient list. |
Coconut oil
What is it?
Coconut oil is fat that’s been extracted from coconuts. It contains fatty acids and vitamins and can soften the skin.
Why is it bad?
Coconut oil is not considered to be highly comedogenic but it does leave a layer onto skin if not removed properly. This can can trap oil and dirt onto your pores and cause breakouts.
Conclusions?
Avoid using coconut oil if you have oily or acne-prone skin. If you do use it as a cleanser make sure that you double cleanse to properly get rid of the excess oil.
Etude House's Monster Oil Cleansing water has coconut oil high up on the ingredient list |
Silicone
What is it?
Silicone is derived from silica and create a silky soft feeling to the skin. An example of a common silicone is dimethicone which is a silicone oil. Silicones can be used on wound healing and are actually used in burn unit because of their unique healing and protective properties.
Why is it bad?
Silicones aren't all bad...The research so far is inconclusive. They can enhance the texture and appearance of the skin if used in moderation. If a lot of your skincare or makeup contain silicone, they have the potential to create a layer onto your skin which suffocate your skin and clog pores overtime. This could be the cause for occasional breakouts and pimples.
Conclusions?
Use products with silicone (dimethicone) in moderation especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Mizon's All in One Snail Repair Cream has dimethicone high up on the ingredient list |
Lanolin
What is it?
Lanolin is used as an emollient in skin care. Lanolin in its pure form can be very nourishing for the skin and it locks in the moisture. Natural lanolin is derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep (no sheep is harmed during this process). Lanolin is extracted from the wool after it has been sheared. Skincare products often use the synthetic form of lanolin such as acetylated lanolin.
Why is it bad?
Lanolin can be comedogenic and in high concentrations it has a tendency to clog pores and cause breakouts. Wool is a common allergen which it can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Acetylated lanolin has been found to be the biggest culprit when it comes to clogging pores.
Conclusion?
Be aware of this one especially if you have acne-prone skin or sensitive skin. Pay attention how high up on the ingredient list it is.
SKINFOOD's Black Sugar Wash Off Mask has lanolin high up on ingredient list |
More information:
Silicones: https://www.paulaschoice-eu.com/silicone-in-skincare
Alcohol: https://www.paulaschoice-eu.com/alcohol-in-skincare-the-facts
Lanolin: https://www.skincarebyalana.com/blog/is-lanolin-safe/
Hope this helps when sourcing out the right skincare for your skin!
Take care 😁
Wow very informative! I have oily skin and this detailed analysis will be easier for me to make comparison!
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