Pore-clogging ingredient checker
Paste an ingredient list from any skincare or makeup product. The checker flags ingredients that dermatology research lists as comedogenic (pore-clogging), shows how high they sit in the formula, and spots the acne actives it contains. Most checkers copy decades-old rabbit-ear lists without caveats. This one only flags ingredients named in a 2025 dermatology review, and tells you how much weight the evidence deserves.
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How this tool works
- The checker splits your list at the commas and compares each ingredient against the comedogenic ingredients in Table I of a 2025 JAAD Reviews article, including their common INCI names.
- Ratings come from the rabbit ear assay on a 0 to 5 scale. The same review notes this model is overly sensitive and that finished products need human testing, so a flag means "look closer", not "this will break you out".
- Position matters: ingredients are listed roughly by amount, so a flagged ingredient in the first five is more relevant than one near the end.
- Nothing you paste is saved or sent. The check runs in your browser.
Sources: Starzyk et al., JAAD Reviews 2025; Draelos & DiNardo, J Am Acad Dermatol 2006
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a product is pore-clogging?
Check the first five to seven ingredients for ones that dermatology research flags as comedogenic, such as isopropyl myristate, coconut oil, or cocoa butter. Then patch-test the product for two to three weeks. A finished product containing a comedogenic ingredient is not necessarily comedogenic, so your skin is the final test.
Are comedogenic ratings accurate?
They are a rough guide. Most ratings come from the rabbit ear assay, which a 2025 JAAD Reviews article describes as overly sensitive and not always predictive in people. Concentration and the full formula matter too.
What does "non-comedogenic" mean on a label?
There is no legal definition in the US, so brands can use the label without standardized testing. It is worth checking the ingredient list yourself.
Why does this checker flag fewer ingredients than other sites?
Many checkers reproduce long lists from 1980s rabbit-ear studies without context. This checker only flags ingredients named in a 2025 peer-reviewed review and shows the rating range and caveat for each, so you can judge the evidence.
Is my ingredient list saved?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you paste is stored or sent anywhere.
Do this automatically in the app
Acnera is a skincare ingredient checker and scanner for iPhone. Scan a product to see if it suits your skin, and check your whole routine for ingredient conflicts.
How Acnera checks this for you