It’s been long debated whether or not this oil clogs pores and if it’s the cause of acne breakouts. While some swear by it, others point to their own little eruptions of coconut oil caused acne. So, let’s answer the question, does coconut oil clog pores?
It’s been a few years since coconut oil burst onto the skincare scene. In its heyday, it was hailed as a multitasking cure-all. The laundry list of uses for coconut oil is undeniably long and varied. But, the question should be asked, does coconut oil clog pores? While it might have a place in our kitchens, it perhaps doesn’t belong on our vanities.
It’s been long debated whether or not this oil clogs pores and if it’s the cause of acne breakouts. While some swear by it, others point to their own little eruptions of coconut oil caused acne. So, let’s answer the question, does coconut oil clog pores?
The comedo- what scale? In plain terms, oils that are high on the comedogenic scale have a higher likelihood of clogging up follicular openings (aka pores). Oils that are lower on this scale are far less likely to clog your pores (these are called non-comedogenic oils).
The rating ranges from 0 to 5. Coconut oil rates at a 4. Eeek. That’s high.
So, does coconut oil clog pores? The likelihood of this happening is pretty high.
Coconut oil is very thick, which makes it harder to absorb into the skin. This can cause the oil to sit on top of the skin (instead of sinking in) and essentially traps dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria on the surface of your skin.
This can lead to trapped substances clogging up your pores. This can be especially risky for those with oily skin as using coconut oil could trap the excess sebum.
Not quite, which is why this debate is so hotly contested. The risk with coconut oil is creating clogged pores which can be a precursor to acne.
Using comedogenic oils as a moisturizer, or make-up remover could aggravate acne or cause closed comedones. (We know, this is not great news.)But not everyone will react the same.
If you’ve used coconut oil with great success -- don’t let us stop you. However, if you are acne-prone or have oily skin, it’s recommended to opt for non-comedogenic oils instead.
You can let your skin be the indicator of whether or not an oil works for you or not. If you do end up breaking out after using coconut oil, opt for oils with a comedogenic rating of 1, like rosehip or jojoba oil.
Tretinoin is a powerful prescription medication that works as a comedolytic to keep pore blockages from happening in the first place. It’s like a cheat code for your skin. Clogged pores are bad news for everyone.
Keep your pores clear by regularly using Tretinoin. Learn more about our Strut Acne Formula and Strut Anti Aging Formula, both of which use the power of Tretinoin.
If you’re ready for clear skin, complete a free questionnaire-based doctor's consultation online to see if our Tretinoin treatments are right for you. If our doctors find this is a good fit for you, we’ll ship it right to your door.