The Truth About Noncomedogenic Makeup

You use makeup to mask skin blemishes and imperfections, but have you ever stopped and questioned if your makeup is making your skin issues worse or even causing them? The reality is that not all makeup formulas are as skin-friendly as you might think.

As per Byrdie, comedogenic formulas (formulas that can clog pores and congest skin) can make breakouts and skin inflammation far more likely. That's where a noncomedogenic formula can come in handy, helping to prevent skin issues, rather than causing them.

Did you know that lots of ingredients used in makeup products can lead to pore blockages and congested skin? Byrdie notes that while comedogenic formulas don't necessarily cause issues for all skin types, for skin that's prone to oiliness and acne, these formulas can make things worse.

What else do you need to know about noncomedogenic makeup formulas? Have a read of our handy guide below that's packed full of lots of useful information about these skin-saving formulas and the ingredients in them.

As per Healthline, the term "noncomedogenic" simply means products that help to prevent the skin (and pores) from becoming blocked or clogged, which could result in breakouts and blemishes.

While all skin types can safely use noncomedogenic products, if you have skin that overproduces sebum (an oily substance produced by the body to coat and protect skin) or is prone to breakouts and other blemishes, you will benefit most from opting to use noncomedogenic makeup (and skincare) products.

Choosing noncomedogenic products can be tricky, according to Healthline since there's no set regulation on what a product dubbed noncomedogenic must include or do. This means that the most important step you can take when choosing a formula is to look at the ingredients and be selective about which products you buy and use.

When it comes to choosing makeup that won't lead to breakouts and blemishes, Byrdie recommends avoiding certain oils and other pore-blocking ingredients, while also opting for formulas that actively focus on skin health. A good ingredient to look out for is salicylic acid, which can help to prevent breakouts from occurring.

Noncomedogenic oils are great additions to your makeup; think of grapeseed, sunflower, sweet almond, and hempseed oil. In terms of what ingredients to avoid, it's best to steer clear of isopropyl myristate and its derivatives, propylene glycol, and lanolins. The bottom line is to read the label before applying any makeup or products to your skin.