Should You Try A
Non-Comedogenic and
Non-Acnegenic Face Oil?

There are many words in the language of skincare that formulators use that may not be familiar to those that aren’t scientists. Words, for example, like non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. It’s a common descriptor you’ve definitely seen on Kiehl’s products but might not know what exactly they are. But non-comedogenic skincare and its sister category, non-acnegenic should be definitions in everyone’s skincare vocabulary, especially if you are troubled with problem skin. It’s particularly important to know when incorporating face oils in your skincare routine.

If you have acne-prone skin, are prone to enlarged pores, or just don’t want to use products that could potentially cause breakouts, you might think that you can’t use facial oils. That’s simply not true. In fact many face oils can be beneficial for those skin types — provided they are made with non-acnegenic formulas.

Keep reading to learn more about non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic skincare products, if they are right for you, and the Kiehl’s face oils to try.

Are Non-Comedogenic and Non-Acnegenic The Same?

In non-dermatologist terms, non-comedogenic means won’t clog pores. A comedone is skincare speak for blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads are comedones that are open to the skin’s surface (the exposure to oxygen darkens the top of the comedone, hence the name), while whiteheads are closed comedones that stay beneath the skin’s surface. Non-comedogenic, then, means not likely to cause comedones. While similar, they aren’t exactly the same. “Non-comedogenic” refers to a product that is formulated so that it won’t clog pores, while “non-acnegenic” refers to a product specifically designed to not cause acne for those with acne-prone skin — they are usually free of artificial fragrances, harsh ingredients and any ingredients that could trigger acne. These two terms usually (but not always) go hand in hand on skincare labels, although non-acnegenic is not as common of a term.

Can A Face Oil Be Non-Comedogenic and Non-Acnegenic?

Absolutely! In fact, the right oil can actually help your problem skin by balancing out oil production. Oils like Jojoba or squalane, which are bio identical to your skin’s natural sebum, are great choices for those dealing with dry skin that don’t want to layer on heavy creams — they absorb easily and can help strengthen skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Kiehl’s & Non-Comedogenic and Non-Acnegenic Skincare

At Kiehl’s, we strive to make the majority of our products non-comedogenic to help avoid breakouts and clogged pores. Our oil concentrates are also formulated with that in mind.