Coconut oil: comedogenic rating 4-5/5
Quick answer
Yes - coconut oil is highly comedogenic. It scores 4-5 out of 5 on published comedogenic scales (the Fulton assay rated coconut butter 4, practitioner lists rate unrefined oil 5) and is one of the most common pore-clogging ingredients found in moisturizers, cleansers and hair care.
Comedogenic rating
Irritancy rating: 0/5
Functions
Fragrance · Skin conditioning · Moisturizer · Emollient · Plant extract
Also listed as
Cocos Nucifera Oil · Coconut Butter
What coconut oil is
Coconut oil (INCI: Cocos Nucifera Oil) is a plant oil pressed from the kernel of coconuts. In cosmetics it works as an occlusive emollient: it slows water loss and leaves skin feeling soft, which is why it shows up everywhere from body butters to shampoo bars.
It is rich in saturated fatty acids, especially lauric acid, which gives it that solid, buttery texture at room temperature. You will also spot it under related names like coconut butter on ingredient lists.
Why it rates 4-5/5 for clogging pores
Coconut oil sits at the very top of classic comedogenic scales, which were built from rabbit-ear assays and human patch testing. The same saturated fatty acids that make it so occlusive also make it dense and slow to absorb - it sits in the follicle instead of sinking in.
Dermatology literature repeatedly flags coconut oil as a trigger for folliculitis and comedones on the face. It behaves very differently on the body: many people tolerate it fine on legs or arms, where follicles are less prone to congestion.
Who should be careful
If you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin, coconut oil on the face is a common culprit worth ruling out first. Watch for it hiding in 'natural' formulas - a coconut-oil-based cleansing balm can clog pores even though you rinse it off, because the oil phase lingers on the skin.
If your skin is dry and rarely breaks out, you may not need to avoid it entirely - but keep it away from the face and off products that stay on overnight.
Gentler alternatives
For a similar slip without the congestion risk, look for squalane (rated 1), jojoba oil (rated 2) or highly refined mineral oil (0-2). All three sit lower on the comedogenic scale while still sealing in moisture.
Highly refined versions of coconut oil may behave differently in testing, but product labels rarely tell you the refinement level, so the safe assumption for acne-prone skin is the 4-5/5 range.
Commonly found in
- Natural moisturizers and body butters
- Cold-processed soaps and cleansers
- Hair masks and conditioners
- Makeup removers and cleansing balms
- Lip care
Common questions
Is coconut oil bad for your face?›
For acne-prone skin, yes in most cases. With a 4-5/5 comedogenic rating, coconut oil is one of the highest-risk ingredients you can put on facial skin. Body use is often fine because body follicles clog less easily.
Does fractionated coconut oil clog pores?›
Fractionated coconut oil (caprylic/capric triglyceride) is processed to remove the long-chain fatty acids and behaves differently from whole coconut oil. It is generally considered far less comedogenic, but the fractionated version is listed under its own INCI name - if the label says Cocos Nucifera Oil, treat it as the full-strength 4-5/5 version.
Why do so many natural brands use coconut oil if it clogs pores?›
Because it is cheap, natural, smells pleasant and feels luxurious. Natural marketing does not consider comedogenic ratings - the ingredient is safe and widely used, it just happens to be a poor match for breakout-prone faces.
Related ingredients
Isopropyl Myristate
Yes - isopropyl myristate is one of the most comedogenic ingredients in cosmetics, rated 5/5. It is a synthetic ester used to make products feel lighter and spread better, and it is a well-documented breakout trigger.
Cetyl Alcohol
Mildly - cetyl alcohol rates 2/5, a low-to-moderate risk. Despite the name it is not the drying 'alcohol' in toners; it is a waxy fatty alcohol that thickens and stabilizes creams, and it is well tolerated by most skin, including many acne-prone people.
Lanolin
Rarely - pure lanolin rates only 1-2/5 on published scales, much lower than its rich, greasy feel suggests. The catch: some lanolin derivatives rate up to 5/5, so the family matters more than the word 'lanolin'.
Squalane
No - squalane is about as close to non-comedogenic as an oil gets, rated 1/5 on published scales. It is one of the safest moisturizing oils for acne-prone skin and a common replacement for coconut oil and other heavy plant oils.