About

Why we built this

Most ingredient lists hide the answer in plain sight. The words are all there on the package, but unless you happen to know that isopropyl myristate is a common breakout trigger, the list might as well be a wall of noise.

This checker turns that wall of noise into a verdict. Paste any ingredient list, and every ingredient with a published comedogenic rating gets scored on a 0-5 scale, color-coded, and sorted with the biggest risks on top.

How the ratings work

The database behind this tool is built on the Fulton 1989 rabbit-ear assay, which measured both comedogenicity and surface irritancy for each ingredient, plus classic acne-clinic pore-clogging lists for ingredients the paper never tested - each result shows which source applies. Where sources disagree, we show a range such as 3-4 instead of hiding the uncertainty behind a single number.

We only include ingredients that have been rated in published scales. That keeps the database honest: nothing here is a guess, and anything missing is unknown rather than declared safe.

Private by design

The entire analysis runs in your browser. Your ingredient list is never uploaded to a server, and your drafts are saved only in your own browser so you can pick up where you left off.

No account is required, and there is no paywall. If the tool saves you from one bad purchase, you can support the site with a coffee.

Limitations worth knowing

Comedogenic ratings describe ingredients in isolation, not finished formulas. Concentration, formulation and your own skin all change the outcome. Treat the results as a signal to investigate, not a diagnosis.

This site is educational and does not provide medical advice. For persistent or severe acne, please see a dermatologist.

Contact

Questions, corrections or database suggestions are welcome at hello@porecloggingchecker.app.