In the quest for glowing, flawless skin many of us turn to a wide range of face products, trialling multiple brands and expecting results.
From facial cleansers and moisturisers to serums and masks, the skincare market is flooded with options promising the perfect complexion.
However, what we often overlook are the ingredients lurking in these products that may contribute to one common facial skin woe – clogged pores.
What are pores?
Pores are tiny openings on our skin's surface that release sweat and oil. When these pores become clogged with debris, dead skin cells, and other substances, they can lead to unsightly blemishes and acne breakouts.
Identifying pore-clogging ingredients is crucial for maintaining clear and healthy skin
1. Oils
Some oils have a higher likelihood of clogging pores, leading to blackheads and pimples. While these oils may work well for some, they can trigger breakouts in individuals with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Common oils regularly used that can clog pores include:
- coconut oil
- wheat germ oil
- cocoa butter
- cotton seed oil
- acetylated lanolin
2. Butters and Waxes
While butters and waxes are praised for their moisturising properties, they can be too heavy for some skin types. These ingredients can contribute to pore blockages, particularly if not properly cleansed from the skin.
Common butters and waxes regularly used that can clog pores include:
- beeswax
- butyl stearate
- cocoa butter
- coconut butter
- jojoba wax
- shea butter
3. Alcohols
Not all alcohols are created equal in skincare. While some alcohols can be beneficial, others can be harsh and drying. Harsh alcohols strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to overproduction and potential pore clogging.
Common alcohols regularly used that can clog pores include:
- cetearyl alcohol
- ceteareth 20
- decyl oleate
- isocetyl alcohol
- oleyl alcohol
4. Silicones
Silicone-based ingredients, often ending in -cone or -oxane, are prevalent in skincare and makeup products due to their smoothing and filling properties. However, they can form a barrier on the skin that traps debris and disrupts the skin's natural breathing process.
Common silicones regularly used that can clog pores include:
- dimethicone
- methicone
5. Thickening Agents
Thickening and emulsifying agents are used in cosmetics to enhance consistency and texture, simply product application, improve formula stability, and maintain shelf life. However, they can also contribute to the development of blackheads and/or whiteheads, especially in those with acne-prone skin.
Common thickening agents regularly used that can clog pores include:
- carrageenan
- glyceryl stearate SE
- glyceryl-3 diisostearate
- isocetyl stearate
- PEG 2- sulfosuccinate
- PEG 16 lanolin
- PEG 200 dilaurate
- PEG 8 stearate
- PG monostearate
- steareth 10
How to check for pore-clogging ingredients:
Use this handy checker tool to identify which ingredients in your skincare products contain pore-cloggers: https://porecloggingingredientchecker.com/
Peace of mind with handmaid:
Our range of Face and Body Balms are free from pore-clogging ingredients giving you peace of mind, that you are not subjecting your skin to the pore clogging risk that comes with many other products.
Here’s how our Face and Body balm ingredients performed in the pore clogging ingredient checker:
As a comparison, if we added coconut oil (a common ingredient found in natural skincare products) to the list, the following result is returned:
Not all natural ingredients are suitable for use on skin and many can cause unwanted skin problems. Knowing which ingredients won't clog your pores will help you choose the right product for your.
With tallow's lipid profile being so close to ours, you can be confident that applying tallow daily won't clog pores and will allow the skin to regulate it's oil production naturally.