Pore Clog Checker

Is Castor Oil Pore-Clogging?

On the comedogenic scale Castor Oil scores only 1 out of 5, placing it in the low-risk, pore-friendly range.

That is the low-risk tier, so Castor Oil is generally considered safe for acne-prone skin and is often used as a gentler substitute for heavier ingredients. Castor Oil is a plant- or seed-derived oil. A thick, glossy oil used in cleansing balms and lip products, rated around 1. Its sulfated form (Turkey Red Oil) rates higher.

Comedogenic rating
1/5 · Low risk
Irritancy
0/5
Category
Oil
Low risk · 1/5OilFungal-acne flagged

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2 pore-clogging ingredients found

Recognized 9 of 9 listed ingredients.

Your report: 9 ingredients checked, 2 pore-clogging

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  • High risk · 5/5

    One of the most comedogenic natural oils at 5/5, despite being rich in vitamin E. Best avoided on the face if you are acne-prone.

    Gentler swaps: Squalane, Hemp Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil

  • High risk · 4/5

    Rich in lauric and myristic acids. Deeply moisturising but a classic 4/5 pore-clogger, and one of the most common causes of breakouts when used on the face.

    Gentler swaps: Squalane, Hemp Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil

  • Glycerin
    Humectant
    Low risk · 0/5

    A universal humectant rated 0/5. Non-comedogenic and fungal-acne safe, suitable for all skin types.

  • Cetearyl Alcohol
    Fatty alcohol
    Low risk · 2/5

    A blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols used as an emollient thickener. Rated 2/5; fatty alcohols are considered fungal-acne safe.

  • Low risk · 1/5

    A thick, glossy oil used in cleansing balms and lip products, rated around 1. Its sulfated form (Turkey Red Oil) rates higher.

  • Dimethicone
    Silicone · disputed
    Low risk · 1/5

    A breathable silicone that smooths and blurs. Rated 1/5 and fungal-acne safe; occasionally blamed for congestion when layered heavily, but the ingredient itself is low-risk.

  • Squalane
    Emollient
    Low risk · 1/5

    The stable, hydrogenated form of squalene. Rated 0-1, lightweight, and one of the go-to fungal-acne-safe emollients. Do not confuse with squalene.

  • Low risk · 2/5

    Vitamin E, a common antioxidant rated 2/5. Widely used at low levels where its clogging impact is minimal.

  • Phenoxyethanol
    Preservative
    Low risk · 0/5

    A broad-spectrum preservative rated 0/5 for clogging, mildly irritating for a few.

From our data: Our database holds 38 oil ingredients and 5 of them score 4 or higher for pore-clogging potential; the group averages 2.3/5. Castor Oil rates 1/5 — 1.3 below the oil average of 2.3.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor Oil (INCI name: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil) falls into the oil category — a plant- or seed-derived oil. A thick, glossy oil used in cleansing balms and lip products, rated around 1. Its sulfated form (Turkey Red Oil) rates higher.

You may see it on labels as Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.

Where Castor Oil shows up

As a plant- or seed-derived oil, Castor Oil typically appears in facial oils, cleansing balms, moisturisers, hair products, and many products marketed as natural. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.

Is Castor Oil bad for acne-prone skin?

Because it barely registers on the comedogenic scale, Castor Oil is generally a safe pick for breakout-prone skin and is often recommended as a gentler alternative to heavier ingredients.

Note for fungal-acne (malassezia) sufferers: Castor Oil is commonly avoided in fungal-acne routines, since it falls into the fatty-acid or ester families the yeast can feed on. The evidence there is looser than for comedogenicity — see our fungal-acne checker for context.

Related ingredient checks

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Sources

Informational only, not medical advice. Comedogenic ratings are a screening guide; individual skin varies.