Pore Clog Checker

Is Mineral Oil Pore-Clogging?

On the comedogenic scale Mineral Oil scores only 0 out of 5, placing it in the low-risk, pore-friendly range.

That is the low-risk tier, so Mineral Oil is generally considered safe for acne-prone skin and is often used as a gentler substitute for heavier ingredients. Mineral Oil is an occlusive that seals moisture into the skin. Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is inert and rated 0-1. Because it contains no fatty acids, it is one of the few occlusives considered safe for fungal acne.

Comedogenic rating
0/5 · Low risk
Irritancy
0/5
Category
Occlusive
Low risk · 0/5Occlusive

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No pore-clogging ingredients found

Recognized 8 of 8 listed ingredients.

Your report: 8 ingredients checked, 0 pore-clogging

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  • 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.

  • Mineral Oil
    Occlusive
    Low risk · 0/5

    Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is inert and rated 0-1. Because it contains no fatty acids, it is one of the few occlusives considered safe for fungal acne.

  • Petrolatum
    Occlusive
    Low risk · 0/5

    A pure occlusive rated 0-1 and considered non-comedogenic in practice. Fatty-acid free, so it is 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.

  • 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 rates 185 cosmetic ingredients, and 39 of them score 4 or higher for pore-clogging potential. Mineral Oil rates 0/5.

What is Mineral Oil?

Mineral Oil (INCI name: Paraffinum Liquidum) falls into the occlusive category — an occlusive that seals moisture into the skin. Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is inert and rated 0-1. Because it contains no fatty acids, it is one of the few occlusives considered safe for fungal acne.

You may see it on labels as Mineral Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, Liquid Paraffin, Parrafin, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.

Where Mineral Oil shows up

As an occlusive that seals moisture into the skin, Mineral Oil typically appears in ointments, heavy night creams, and lip products. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.

Is Mineral Oil bad for acne-prone skin?

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

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Sources

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