10 Non-Comedogenic Oils + How To Use Them?

Believe it or not, you can include facial oil massage in your skincare routine, irrespective of your skin type!

There are plenty of natural oils that can be used by even people with oily and acne-prone skin. These oils are non-comedogenic, which means they don't clog skin pores or cause acne.

Know all about common non-comedogenic oils, their uses, and benefits on your skin.

What Are Non-Comedogenic Oils?

Comedo is a technical term that means clogged pores. Clogged pores can lead to pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, etc. A non-comedogenic oil or product does not clog your pores. Usually, non-comedogenic oils contain multiple vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, which help keep your skin hydrated and improve skin texture.

10 Non-Comedogenic Oils For Your Skin

There are multiple non-comedogenic oils available in the market. Different non-comedogenic oils comprise different beneficial ingredients. Here is a list of some common oils that you can try:

1. Grapeseed Oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1

This is a multipurpose oil available in various colors. Grapeseed oil is high in vitamin C & E, antioxidants[1], and linoleic acid, making it incredible for your skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are ideal for acne-prone skin. Being rich in vitamin C, this oil is good for treating hyperpigmentation.

It is also beneficial for fighting acne, moisturizing, evening out the skin, and fighting aging signs. A study in 2016 shows that grapeseed oil also has wound healing properties, which makes it beneficial to use in wound care.

2. Sunflower Seed Oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 0

Besides being light and thin in texture, the sunflower seed oil is rated 0 on the comedogenic scale. So, you can choose sunflower oil as a carrier oil or on its own for your skincare routine. This oil is also rich in vitamin E, beta-carotene, and fatty acids.

Sunflower seed oil can help skin cleansing by opening blocked pores and removing dead skin cells. Because it is non-comedogenic, people with acne can use it. It is packed with antioxidants, which allows it to prevent premature aging and other skin conditions.

A study from 2002 shows sunflower seed oil is an effective component in improving skin-barrier function in newborns.

3. Rosehip seed oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1

This non-comedogenic oil is a powerful source of antioxidants, vitamin C, A, E, K, and essential fatty acids, like linoleic acid. This oil is super lightweight and easy to absorb. It is beneficial to treat inflammation and helps to keep your skin soft and hydrated.

The high content of vitamin C helps rosehip seed oil to brighten and even out the skin. It is also suitable for treating fine lines and wrinkles. This oil is rated one on the comedogenic scale. Rosehip seed oil is also used for medicinal purposes[2].

4. Neem oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1-2

This oil is high in antioxidants and widely used for medicinal purposes [3] in traditional medicine. Neem oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which makes it effective for treating varieties of skin conditions and infections. This oil is rated at 1-2 on the comedogenic scale.

 

5. Hempseed oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 0

This non-comedogenic oil is loaded with vitamins like A, C, and E and various essential fatty acids like linolenic acid. Hempseed oil has a comedogenic rating of 0, making it excellent for skin moisturizing without clogging pores. This oil can also reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis [4].

6. Castor oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1

This oil is a natural antibacterial and antioxidant. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling and treat acne. It is also suitable for preventing signs of aging. On the comedogenic scale, it has a rating of 1.

7. Sweet almond oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 2

This gently scented and light oil is a rich vitamin E and A source. It also contains high levels of fatty acids. Almond oil is an excellent moisturizer for people with dry skin. This oil has a comedogenic rating of 2.

Note:

A study in 2018 revealed that moisturizers with sweet almond oil were an excellent option to treat severe hand dermatitis.

8. Camellia oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1

Cold-pressed camellia oil is a vast resource of oleic acid, which makes it ideal for treating dry skin, sun damage, and other skin conditions. It has a rating of 1 on the comedogenic scale.

9. Calendula oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 1

This oil is rich in antioxidants. Its anti-inflammatory properties[5] make it beneficial for treating various skin conditions. This is a versatile oil that helps heal wounds by forming new skin. It has a rating of 1 on the comedogenic scale.

10. Jojoba oil

Comedogenic Scale Rating: 2

This non-comedogenic oil has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, helping heal wounds, sunburns, etc. Being a rich source of vitamin E can also help reduce scars. Jojoba oil has a comedogenic rating of 2.

How To Use Non-Comedogenic Oils Safely On Your Face And Skin

If you want to nourish your skin with oil, never forget to do a patch test before using that on your face or body. This is a simple test to find out whether that oil or any new skincare product suits you or not. Take the non-comedogenic oil and apply it to your inner wrist. Wait for 24 hours and see if any allergic reaction is there. If not, you can use that oil liberally.

Along with patch testing, you need to be careful about some other things as well when using an oil on your face and body:

• Go for organic and high-quality oils with no added ingredients. These are safe for your skin.
• Don't miss checking the expiry dates on your non-comedogenic oil. Don’t use a product that smells rancid. Organic oils tend to get contaminated.

SkinKraft Tip:

Do not ingest the oils. It’s only meant for external use.

Consult your dermatologist before using any new oil or product to find out whether that will be good for you or not.

Before using, try to know about the source of oil and avoid that oil if you are allergic to the source plant.

Stop using the oil if you experience any allergic reaction like rash, redness, or itching.

Benefits & Side Effects Of Non-Comedogenic Oils

• As they don’t clog skin pores, non-comedogenic oils can be used on almost all skin types. The main benefit of applying oil to the skin is intense moisturization without increasing breakouts. There are oils for different skin types, from dry or oily.
• Non-comedogenic oils like grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, etc., are used to prevent aging signs.
• Most non-comedogenic oils with a low rating (0 – 2) are beneficial for pimple-prone skin. These oils are excellent massage oil for even the entire body or scalp.
• Oils like sweet almond oil are widely used as an active ingredient in lip balm for dry lips.
• Non-comedogenic oils are also beneficial in reducing cracked skin around elbows and knees.
• Multipurpose non-comedogenic oils (Rosehip oil, Jojoba oil, Baobab oil, etc.) can also be used as cleansers or even makeup removers.

Precautions To Take While Using Non-Comedogenic Oils

When you plan to nourish your skin with an oil, even a non-comedogenic oil, don't forget to do a patch test before using an oil on your face.

Next, you need to ensure the quality of your desired oil to apply to your face. Always go for good quality and organic products. It will help minimize the chances of any irritation or adverse reaction on the skin.

When choosing a non-comedogenic oil, you must go through the comedogenic rating of that oil. An oil with a comedogenic rating of up to 2 is suitable for almost every skin type. But an oil with a comedogenic rating between 2 – 3 might clog your pores if your skin type is too oily. And, it is wise to avoid oils with a comedogenic rating of 4 – 5 as they can clog pores and trigger acne. If you have dry skin, these oils can be beneficial.

It will be good to consult a dermatologist before using a facial oil when you have oily, acne-prone, or super sensitive skin.

Wrapping Up

There is a wide range of non-comedogenic oils available. All you need to do is choose the right non-comedogenic oil according to your skin type and use it to nourish your skin without any breakout. As these oils don’t clog pores, especially with a low comedogenic rating( 0 – 2), they can be used on all skin types.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin