Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
“Typically, applying too much oil on your skin may create an oil film that prevents the skin from breathing, and may even clog pores and result in breakouts.
Oils of any kind are actually not very good at clogging pores (they are too big to fit into the pore, like a baseball into a keyhole), but if you have oily skin, using a pure oil just adds to the excess your skin already produces, thus exacerbating the conditions that can lead to more blemishes.
Several oils are high in “oleic” fatty acids, which are believed to cause more clogged pores than those high in “linoleic” fatty acids. Since oily skin is believed to be low in linoleic fatty acids, oils with more of these typically work well, while those with more “oleic” acid may cause more issues.
Marula oil might be described as “non-greasy” but it is comedogenic, so any claims that it doesn't clog pores are false, even though there are different levels to how much an oil can clog your pores. So, it might be better than coconut oil on the clog scale, but it's not better than a heavy oil like argan oil.
The most common pore-clogging oil is coconut oil, but the experts also flag palm, soybean, wheat germ, flaxseed, and even some ester oils, like myristyl myristate, as comedogenic.
“Ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid are known to oxidize quickly on the skin in the presence of light and air,” Rouleau states. “This can cause unwanted side effects like more noticeable blackheads.”
Moisturizers and face oils are not interchangeable. You cannot use oil in place of moisturizer because oils are too heavy for the skin. They will make your face oily and greasy, which is something you definitely want to avoid as it will make your skin look worse than ever.
extreme stress. poor skin care habits (such as not washing your face twice a day, or wearing oil-based makeup) dry skin (ironically, having dry skin can make pores more noticeable due to an increase in sebum production and accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin)
This is because dehydrated skin tends to over-produce sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. This excessive oiliness ultimately leads to clogged pores, more frequent breakouts, and shiny-looking skin. In other words, oily skin benefits from the use of face oils—so long as they're the right kind of oils.
Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. Consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people (22). When applied to the skin, coconut oil may clog pores and make acne worse. It is not recommended for those with very oily skin.
Due to its natural characteristics, lavender essential oil helps to normalize the sebaceous glands, leaving the skin more matte and tightening pores. Tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, it promotes wound healing, tones, dries, reduces oily sheen and tightens pores.
Even though marula oil has more antioxidants than argan oil, it's unfortunately way more comedogenic. That means marula oil can easily clog your pores, says Dr. King, so if you've got oily or acne-prone skin, you're better off using noncomedogenic ingredients that won't congest your skin.
Squalane, however, is safe for all skin types. It's an excellent alternative if other oils are too heavy or greasy for your skin. Despite being an oil, it's lightweight and noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores.
Rosehip Oil is often referred to as a 'dry' oil because it is absorbed into the skin quickly. It does not clog up pores and should only be applied in small amounts (2 – 3 drops on the face once or twice daily).
While acne can be caused by a variety of factors, jojoba oil itself is non-comedogenic, which means that it should not clog the pores.
This vitamin E rich oil is non-comedogenic, antibacterial, and is also an antioxidant.
The white stuff that comes out of your pores like thin strings when you squeeze your nose is called a sebaceous filament. It's mostly made up of sebum (oil that your skin produces) and dead skin cells. This substance typically collects in pores around your nose and chin.
With that said, if you stick with a gentle exfoliating skincare routine, avoid ingredients that are known to clog pores (like too-thick creams and coconut oil), and keep your fingers off your face, you're likely to see an improvement in the appearance of your clogged pores within a few weeks.