Product Checker

Check your shelf before you wreck yourself

In the game of acne there are many opponents, but using comedogenic (commonly known as pore-clogging or cloggy) products is the biggest yet easiest one to beat.

Just by switching to "active and acne-safe" skincare, most cases of acne clear up completely, or at least show major improvement — even before lifestyle changes are implemented.

In 2014 we were one of, if not the first to share this comedogenic tool online, thanks to the research of industry pioneers and our own clinic research over the years.

Audit your stash using the product checker below, and use only what’s considered safe in your current collection.

Or, speed up the whole process by starting fresh with an entirely new regimen from our shop where everything is guaranteed acne-safe products — easy peasy.

CHECK MY PRODUCTS NOW SHOP NOW

com·e·do·gen·ic /ˌkämədōˈjenik:

adjective; tending to cause blackheads by blocking the pores of the skin. also known as pore-clogging, or “cloggy.”

1.

Compare + confirm

Compare the ingredients on your bottle to the list you find online.

Make sure it matches, since manufacturers often switch up formulas without telling consumers.

2.

Clean, copy + paste

Once you’ve verified the ingredient list, clean up the text so that only ingredient names separated by commas remain.

Then copy and paste it into the search box below.

3.

Carefully analyze

Each product list will be rated as "Safe" or "Not Acne-Safe" to try, with detailed ingredient information.

Be sure to read the notes for any ingredients that require special consideration.

4.

Keep or Toss

When analyzing the results, it’s best to avoid anything with 3; definitely avoid anything with 4 or 5.

It’s gonna be hard but you may have to break up to clear up.

Pro tips: Get the most out of the auditing process

• Check ALL the products you are using, including things like toothpaste, hair products, makeup, and laundry detergent as they can be majorly affecting your acne in an indirect way. 

• Once you’ve audited your stash, test what seemingly safe products that remain by actually using them, preferably one at a time, for 1-3 months. This way, you can isolate any new breakouts to the new product you're testing.

• Try donating your unwanted products to local shelters in your area, or to friends and family. 

• You can try to salvage what you have, but doing so may slow down or halt your clearing process. For the fastest and most reliable results, use skinSALVATION products.

I'VE CHECKED MY PRODUCTS. NOW WHAT?

FOR THE SKIN NERDS - DR. FULTON'S RESEARCH PAPERS

BUY KIM'S BOOK, CLEAR SKIN FOR EVERYONE

The almighty product checker

february 2026 update : our new and improved checker is back!

we did a major overhaul of the comedogenic ingredient database - fixing typos, finding dozens (!) of synonyms for commonly comedogenic ingredients and improved data matching. all of which makes it easy and accurate for users to decide whether a product is acne-safe (or not) to try.

we also added a filter for malassezia folliculitis, a type of resistant acne that often involves a digestive gut flora or yeast imbalance, which is the case for about 5-10% of acne sufferers.

please write and let us know how you like it!
kim

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users can check 5 products within a 24 hour period for free and may purchase unlimited access to the app for one year on a sliding scale of $5, $10 or $25.

thank you for supporting, continuing to use and trust this very carefully researched, compiled and maintained esthetic skincare industry standard tool for well over a decade :)

Nerd alert

For those that like to read up on the nitty gritty, get into these articles (with plenty more on the blog) to satisfy your quest for knowledge most don’t even know about, or have seen with their own eyes.

How we test (our comedogenic vetting process)

Oils (using them and eating them)

Fragrances in products (and why they matter)

Product Checker database research papers

Hidden offenders

Mad props

It’s thanks to acne researchers Dr. James E. Fulton, Dr. Albert Kligman, and Dr. Mark Lees, esthetician Olga Valencia, plus the work of my team (spearheaded by skinSALVATION esthetician Kerry Watson) that helped compile this list.

Many websites now tout a similar list, but don’t credit the actual sources, nor actually put in the work to test individual ingredients themselves in the right way.

We credit all of our sources, rigorously test on clients (never animals), and never copy anyone or any brand.

We are happy to make our database open source, and especially appreciate anyone that uses our database on their site to let us know, and give us credit for our work.

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