Pores are tiny openings in our skin that release sweat and oil, but sometimes they can become clogged. This happens when excess oil gets trapped by dead skin cells, makeup, dirt, or certain ingredients, preventing the oil from flowing freely, says dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD.
Comedogenic ingredients are those that can block pores and contribute to acne. While not the sole cause of breakouts, they can worsen the situation, especially for people with oily skin or acne-causing bacteria, explains dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD.
While we don’t fully understand why some ingredients clog pores, it’s believed that they either thicken sebum or form a barrier on the skin that traps oil. These pore-clogging ingredients are usually occlusive, meaning they sit on top of the skin and can cause oil to accumulate.
To help prevent breakouts, it’s important to avoid certain pore-clogging ingredients, which we’ll cover next.