INGREDIENTS THAT CAUSE OR EXACERBATE ACNE
Below is a list which we recommend that you use to become an ACNE DETECTIVE and check ingredients yourself, no matter what the label states or implies! You will need to use this list patiently and search for the strange names of the ingredients on your containers. The reward is simple: No More Zits. This list will help you to make informed and intelligent decisions about what you choose to use on your skin. Remember that the first rule of thumb for any consumer is to be informed. Print this list out and take it with you when you shop for products. Click here for the printer-friendly version (5 pages)
Do you have a question about an ingredient that isn't on this list?
- E-mail your ingredient question to Barbara.
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- Join our discussions on the Sage Advice Forum
COM = Comedogenicity
IRR = Irritancy
Scores are rated as 0 = Lowest, 5 = WORST
If you have acne, DO NOT use ingredients with a score of 3, 4 or 5
Revised 5-25-2005
This list is alphabetized for your convenience. 5 Page printer-friendly version here
| 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 |
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 |
| 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 |
0 |
| 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 | Carboxymethylcellulose | 0 |
0 |
| Sodium | Carboxypropylcellulose | 1 |
0 |
| Pigments | Carmine | 0 |
0 |
| Waxes | Carnuba Wax | 1 |
0 |
| 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 |
2 |
| 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 | 3 |
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 | Ethylparaben | 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 | Hydroxypropyl Cellulose | 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 |
| Thickeners | Kaolin | 0 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives | Lanolin Alcohol | 0-2 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives | Lanolin Oil | 1 |
0 |
| Waxes | Lanolin Wax | 1 |
0 |
| 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 | Methylparaben | 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 | Propylparaben | 0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars | Propylene Glycol | 0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars | Propylene Glycol Monostearate | 4 |
0 |
| Preservatives & Additives | Propylparaben | 0 |
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 |
0 |
| Thickeners & Emulsifiers | Sorbitan Oleate | 3 |
0 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives | Sorbitan Sesquinoleate | 4 |
2 |
| 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 | Tocopherol | 2 |
2 |
| 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 |
© Barbara Strickland 1998-2000. This information is published and may not be reprinted.