Until last spring, I didn’t understand what the word noncomedogenic really meant; acne, however, is a language I’ve been fluent in for 15 years. Routine dermatologist appointments; a revolving door of prescriptions; even the occasional steroid injection to quiet a particularly defiant cystic pimple—tempering breakouts became less of an inconvenience and more of a long-term management plan. Despite my parents’ assurances that I’d eventually grow out of it, clear skin never arrived as a surprise bonus of adulthood. Even with a bathroom cabinet brimming with supposedly “acne-safe” products, I still couldn’t get the cystic pimples along my chin or cheek to stop mysteriously appearing overnight. It wasn’t until the universe snagged me an appointment with celebrity facialist Sofie Pavitt, who took one look at my skin and gave me a bit of advice that would transform my skin for good.
Comedogenicity, she explained, refers to ingredients with the potential to clog pores, trapping bacteria and debris in acne-prone skin. “The comedogenicity scale is not something that is set in stone,” Pavitt tells Vogue. “What one company deems non-pore-clogging can vary greatly between product lines. I know foundationally that comedogenic ingredients can impact the skin differently depending on where they sit within a product formulation. I don’t expect the average consumer to discern this. Therefore, the path of least resistance in my messaging to clients is to avoid these potentially pore-clogging ingredients while on a skin-clearing journey.”
Vogue’s Favorite Non-Comedogenic Beauty Products
Back at home, I opened my vanity and began scrutinizing every label—cross-referencing formulas against acne-safe ingredient checkers (per Pavitt’s instructions) and purging anything that didn’t make the cut. In the process, I discovered that many products marketed as “acne-safe” still contained multiple potentially pore-clogging ingredients: oils and butters (shea, jojoba, avocado), certain waxes (looking at you, beeswax), and even surfactants (a fancy word for the agent that powers most face washes) and several extracts. Almost instantly, half of my toiletry bag was unusable if I followed the esthetician’s guidance.
Her philosophy is to focus on elimination first, experimentation later. “Once the skin is clear, then it’s easier to see if a new product is potentially going to cause an issue,” says Pavitt. “I always recommend my clients incorporate one new product at a time to test for irritation.” This approach is less about fear mongering and more about creating a clean slate, then reintroducing products with intention.
However, Pavitt assures me that such militancy isn’t a forever mandate. Once skin shifts from a cycle of regular breakouts to something closer to maintenance mode (think: clear more often than not), there’s room to loosen the reins. Though honestly, now that I’ve pared my regimen back, it doesn’t feel restrictive. There is beauty in cutting down excess and finally parting ways with products I once held on to.
Fast forward to today, my skin is clearer than it’s ever been, barring the occasional zit. Below, I break down my entire noncomedogenic overhaul—not just for skin care, but also makeup and even hair care (yes, it matters!). You’ll find some additional tips from Pavitt, plus the products that work for me. While I’d never gatekeep, keep in mind, everyone’s skin is so different. Clearer skin might just be an ingredient-check away.
Noncomedogenic Skin Care
Shoutout to Pavitt for my noncomedogenic skin-care routine. When we met last spring, I listed my six step regimen, and she did not hesitate to tell me, “Babe, you’re doing way too much with your skin.” Apparently, the barrier-supporting products I was using were actually causing irritation, while the overly-aggressive actives I though would quell breakouts only further disrupted my skin barrier. She recommended a simplified approach: a nonstripping face wash twice daily, mandelic acid as a gentle daily exfoliant (Pavitt’s mandelic acid clearing serum has been a lifesaver), a lightweight moisturizer, and SPF—all noncomedogenic, of course. Another key element? Saying goodbye to makeup-removing balms and oil cleansers. As Pavitt explained, oils (while not all are inherently pore-clogging) can be too heavy for acne-prone skin types and often leave residue behind.
Noncomedogenic Makeup
Pavitt insisted that once my skin-care routine was set, I should tackle my makeup bag too as pore-clogging foundations, blushes, etc could undo all my acne-clearing efforts. “Makeup with pore-clogging ingredients is a massive source of breakouts and closed comedones,” Pavitt explains. “When I see pebbly texture on the cheekbones immediately makes me think that a client is using a clogging blush or coverage product.” For acne-prone skin, avoiding comedogenic ingredients in makeup can be transformative.
Still, Pavitt tempered this advice during my most recent facial appointment; me, spiraling if one of my old-faithful palettes (one graciously spared from the aforementioned comedogenic purge) was the source of a single cystic zit. “You gotta live your life!” she exclaimed. Ultimately, my job requires me to test countless cosmetics, but with a baseline noncomedogenic regimen in place, pinpointing the culprits behind any breakouts becomes far easier. This philosophy shapes her own approach. “Keeping the base routine so consistent really allows me to notice and treat any breakouts or irritation I may get from a product,” she says.
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Noncomedogenic Hair Care
Turns out, my hair-care routine could be contributing to unexplained breakouts. “Like your skin care, check your hair care for pore-clogging ingredients,” says Pavitt. As we rinse, lather, and repeat, product running down our face can aggravate acne-prone skin. “My other tip is to wash and condition your hair first, and then wash your body and face afterwards to rinse off the ingredients that might clog your pores.” The proof came during a recent vacation, when I swapped my usual products for a travel-size shampoo and conditioner duo rich in shea butter. Within days, tiny pimples appeared down both sides of my face.
Admittedly, I’m not as strict in this category. I stick to a non-pore-clogging shampoo and conditioner—my go-to is Crown Affair’s volumizing duo—to avoid any problematic runoff in the shower. But since I sleep with my hair up and off my face, I’m more liberal with styling creams and hair serums during the day. Pavitt, meanwhile, relies on Seen’s hair-care line for its fragrance-free, noncomedogenic formulas.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to non-comedogenic cosmetics, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, and the beauty concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Expert
- Sofie Pavitt is a New York–based skin-care expert and licensed esthetician specializing in problematic skin. Known as the acne whisperer, Pavitt recently founded her own product line, Sofie Pavitt Face.
