Is Glycerin Pore-Clogging?

Q: Is Glycerin pore-clogging?

No — Glycerin is considered low-risk for clogging pores, with a comedogenic rating of just 0 out of 5. That is the low-risk tier, so Glycerin is generally considered safe for acne-prone skin and is often used as a gentler substitute for heavier ingredients. Glycerin is a humectant that draws water into the skin. A universal humectant rated 0/5. Non-comedogenic and fungal-acne safe, suitable for all skin types.

Q: What is the comedogenic rating of Glycerin?

Glycerin rates 0 out of 5 on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, which we classify as low risk. Our database holds 7 humectant ingredients and none of them score 4 or higher for pore-clogging potential; the group averages 0.1/5. Glycerin rates 0/5 — 0.1 below the humectant average of 0.1.

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Recognized 8 of 8 listed ingredients.

Your report: 8 ingredients checked, 0 pore-clogging

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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.
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.
Glycerin
Humectant
Low risk · 0/5
A universal humectant rated 0/5. Non-comedogenic and fungal-acne safe, suitable for all skin types.
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Low risk · 1/5
A lightweight humectant and solvent rated 1/5, fungal-acne safe.
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Low risk · 0/5
A humectant and penetration enhancer rated 0/5 for clogging. Can be mildly irritating for some at high levels.
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.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Antioxidant
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.

Or look up a single ingredient

From our data: Our database holds 7 humectant ingredients and none of them score 4 or higher for pore-clogging potential; the group averages 0.1/5. Glycerin rates 0/5 — 0.1 below the humectant average of 0.1.

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is a humectant that draws water into the skin. A universal humectant rated 0/5. Non-comedogenic and fungal-acne safe, suitable for all skin types.

You may see it on labels as Glycerin, Glycerine, Glycerol, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.

Where Glycerin shows up

You'll most often find Glycerin in serums, toners, and moisturisers of every kind. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.

Is Glycerin bad for acne-prone skin?

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

Related ingredient checks

People checking Glycerin usually check these next. You can also paste a whole label into the pore-clog checker or browse the full pore-clogging ingredients list.

Is Butylene Glycol pore-clogging? — rated 1/5, same humectant family.
Is Hyaluronic Acid pore-clogging? — rated 0/5, same humectant family.
Is Panthenol pore-clogging? — rated 0/5, same humectant family.

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