Table of Contents
- What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?
- Comedogenic Ratings for Carrier Oils
- 12 Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils for Skincare
- Comedogenic Ratings for Carrier Oils and Butters
- Top 10 Carrier Oils for Face with Benefits
- 1. Jojoba Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- 2. Rosehip Seed Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 1
- 3. Tamanu Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- 4. Avocado Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- 5. Argan Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 0
- 6. Castor Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 1
- 7. Evening Primrose Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2 - 3
- 8. Olive Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- 9. Apricot Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- 10. Coconut Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Wrapping Up Noncomedogenic Oils
- FAQs
Natural skin care is at an all-time high. With organic and homeopathic products working their way into routines left and right, it’s important to know which carrier oils and butters will work with your skin. Find out what the best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils for Skin are.
Some butters and oils are fit for everyday moisture and hydration for your face while others might clog your pores and leave you having to start from square one!
Carrier oils are a must when applying essential oils to the skin. To know which carrier oils will work best for your skin, you have to know which are non-comedogenic and where they fall on the comedogenic scale.
What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?
Great question! First, let’s start with what “comedogenic” is.
Carrier oils and butters have a comedogenic rating, which indicates how likely any given oil is to clog your pores. The comedogenic scale ranges from 0 to 5, with 0 being the least likely and 5 being the most likely. Clogged pores can lead to acne formation.
So, what does “non-comedogenic” mean? When something is labeled as such, you are at little to no risk of clogged pores. But as we know, everyone has different skin types so what hydrates one person’s skin may leave another feeling too greasy or bumpy.
Now, let's look closer at non-comedogenic carrier oils.
Comedogenic Ratings for Carrier Oils
In order to find the perfect carrier oil or butter for your skin, we have to relate comedogenic ratings to skin type. While this scale is very helpful to use when picking out carrier oils, keep in mind that this tool is a guideline. It is important to pay attention to how YOUR skin reacts.
To begin, the comedogenic scale is as follows:
| Comedogenic Rating of 0 | No risk - Will not clog your pores |
| Comedogenic Rating of 1 | Low risk - Slight chance of clogging pores |
| Comedogenic Rating of 2 | Moderately low risk - Will not clog pores for MOST people. |
| Comedogenic Rating of 3 | Moderate risk - Breakouts depend on skin type. Many people will break out. |
| Comedogenic Rating of 4 | Fairly high risk - Most people will break out, but it depends on skin type. |
| Comedogenic Rating of 5 | High risk - Will cause breakouts. Few people can tolerate this type of oil. |
12 Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils for Skincare
Common noncomedogenic oils for the skin or to use as carrier oils for essential oils. These include:
- Hemp seed oil
- Argan oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Jojoba oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Rosehip oil
- Sea Buckthorn oil
- Hazelnut oil
- Castor oil
- Pomegranate oil
- Neem oil
Comedogenic Ratings and Skin Type
When looking at comedogenic ratings and skin type, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can never use a product with a comedogenic rating of 5, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that those products are bad for you either.
Butters and oils that are higher on the comedogenic scale are good to have in the cabinet in extreme situations. For example, cocoa butter (rating of 4) and wheat germ oil (rating of 5) are high on the comedogenic scale but they are excellent remedies for super dry, cracked or damaged skin!
If your skin is particularly irritated in certain places, you’ll want to stick with an oil or butter that is low on the scale. Rosehip oil (rating of 1) is great for redness and inflammation while neem oil (rating of 1-2) is also excellent for soothing irritated skin.
Normal Skin: Jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil
Dry Skin: Olive oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil
Oily Skin: Sunflower oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil
Mature Skin: Sesame oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, apricot oil and sweet almond oil
Combination: argan oil, tamanu oil
Sensitive Skin: Sesame oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil
Related Post > Top 10 Essential Oils For Skin Care
Comedogenic Ratings for Carrier Oils and Butters
When looking for a facial carrier oil, check out this list of comedogenic scores and see where the oil falls to avoid skin breakouts. Some carrier oil ratings may vary depending on the oil composition so that is why you may see a range and not a single rating.
Carrier Oil | Comedogenic Rating |
| Apricot Oil | 2 |
| Argan Oil | 0 |
| Avocado Oil | 2 |
| Baobab Oil | 2 |
| Castor Oil | 1 |
| Cocoa Butter | 4 |
| Coconut Butter | 4 |
| Coconut Oil | 4 |
| Fractionated Coconut Oil | 2-3 |
| Grapeseed Oil | 1 |
| Hazelnut Oil | 1 |
| Hemp Seed Oil | 0 |
| Jojoba Oil | 2 |
| Kukui Nut Oil | 2 |
| Mango Butter | 2 |
| Moringa Oil | 2-3 |
| Neem Oil | 1-2 |
| Olive Oil | 2 |
| Pomegranate Oil | 1 |
| Pumpkin Seed Oil | 2 |
| Rosehip Oil | 1 |
| Safflower Oil | 0 (high linoleic only) |
| Sea Buckthorn Oil | 1 |
| Sesame Oil | 2 |
| Shea Butter | 2 |
| Sunflower Oil | 0 |
| Sweet Almond Oil | 2 |
| Wheat Germ Oil | 5 |
Top 10 Carrier Oils for Face with Benefits
It may take a bit of experimentation to discover the ideal oil or blend of oils that is right for your skin type. Choosing one of these carrier oils for the face is a great place to start when designing your natural products skin care regime or homemade facial oil recipe:
1. Jojoba Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- Moisturizing and healing for all skin types
- Very similar to the sebum of skin
- Dissolves sebum and carries ingredients deep into the skin
- Light-weight
- Absorbs quickly into the skin
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily
2. Rosehip Seed Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 1
- Deeply regenerating and nourishing
- Great for dry, aging skin
- Incredible firming properties
- Improves skin elasticity
- High in essential fatty acids
- Smooths and softens skin
- Improves the texture of your skin
- Reduces scarring
- Calms inflammation and redness
3. Tamanu Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- Excellent for acne-prone skin
- Rick in fatty acids
- Has antibacterial properties
- Full of antioxidants
- Incredibly healing for inflamed and irritated skin, stretchmarks, sunburns, and scars
- Use sparingly… a little goes a long way!
4. Avocado Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E
- Fantastic overall moisturizer
- Rich in antioxidants that soothe inflammation
- High in sterolin, which are anti-inflammatory
- Helpful in healing age spots, blemishes, sun damage, and eczema
5. Argan Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 0
- Has high levels of antioxidants and skin-softening agents
- Excellent for anti-aging
- Rich in vitamin E
- Helps restore the skin’s hydro-lipid layer, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines
- Tightens skin
- Easily absorbs without leaving an oily residue
6. Castor Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 1
- Known for its strong purging and detoxing properties
- Keeps skin youthful and minimizes signs of aging
- An effective acne treatment that helps increase cell turnover
- It can be a bit too drying for some skin types due to its ricinoleic acid content
- Use to thicken and condition hair, scar prevention and treatment, athlete’s foot
7. Evening Primrose Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2 - 3
- Suitable for several skin types
- Extremely moisturizing and keeps skin soft
- Reduces dryness and wrinkles
- Encourages regeneration of skin cells
- High concentration of the fatty acid GLA, which reduces clogged pores by dissolving sebum and impurities in the pores
- Great choice for acne-prone or oily skin
- Has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce irritation and redness
Helps improve the elasticity of skin - Useful in treating eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis
8. Olive Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- High in the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid, making it a great choice for dry skin
- Smooths your skin texture
- Reduce the signs of aging
- Reduces inflammation and redness
- A heavier oil that absorbs more slowly
- Make sure to choose PURE, high quality olive oil
9. Apricot Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 2
- Excellent skin moisturizer for both sensitive and prematurely aged skins
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial
- Highly beneficial to use on acne prone skin because it is non-irritant and soothing to the skin
10. Coconut Oil - Comedogenic Rating: 4
- Not recommended for acne prone skin
- An effective skin moisturizer
- Provides protection against the elements
- A mild oil that is perfect for skin sensitivities and irritated skin
- Very high in saturated fat, which lends itself to it being a natural skin softener
- Great source of nourishment for your skin
- Anti-aging and skin-healing properties
- Stimulates the production of collagen
- Full of vitamin E, which protects the skin from sun damage
Wrapping Up Noncomedogenic Oils
To find your the perfect comedogenic rating and oils for your skin, you’ll have to get to know your skin and body a little bit better. And remember that you always need to use a carrier oil or butter when applying essential oils topically to your face or body to keep your skin feeling good and to avoid skin irritation.
“If you truly love Nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere.” - Van Gogh
FAQs
What are non-comedogenic carrier oils?
Non-comedogenic carrier oils are oils that are less likely to clog pores and cause acne breakouts. These oils are often used in skincare as they provide moisture and nourishment without contributing to skin congestion.
Which carrier oils are considered non-comedogenic?
Some carrier oils that are considered non-comedogenic include jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and argan oil. These oils have low comedogenic ratings, making them suitable for most skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.
How do non-comedogenic oils benefit the skin?
Non-comedogenic oils benefit the skin by providing hydration and essential nutrients without clogging pores. They can help balance oil production, soothe irritation, and improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin.
Can non-comedogenic oils be used for all skin types?
Non-comedogenic oils can generally be used for all skin types, but they are particularly beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It's always a good idea to patch-test any new oil to ensure it suits your skin's needs.
Are there any side effects of using non-comedogenic carrier oils?
While non-comedogenic carrier oils are less likely to cause acne, some individuals may still experience allergic reactions or sensitivities. It's important to test the oil on a small area of skin before widespread use and consult with a dermatologist if irritation occurs.
How do I choose the right non-comedogenic carrier oil for my skin?
To choose the right non-comedogenic carrier oil for your skin, consider your skin type and specific concerns. For instance, jojoba oil is excellent for balancing oil production, while rosehip oil is beneficial for its anti-aging properties.
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