Skincare today is very consciously formulated. Consumers are aware of what they are feeding their skin as they should be and are shifting their skincare choices to organic and natural alternatives. Moreover, with futuristic technology and cool innovations taking place currently; the skincare industry is also getting more advanced.

There’s a huge diversity when it comes to skincare. There’s a possible solution for every small issue you might face. Pharmacies, cosmetic stores and online beauty websites are everybody’s treasure houses. But before buying, you need to know your skin type, texture and how your skin performs with certain ingredients. And while you figure out your skin there is always a common skincare problem that most of you face – which is acne. Now, acne can be hormonal, and can also be triggered due to the use of certain ingredients present in our skincare products

Such ingredients are listed as ‘comedogenic’. You must have also come across products labelled as ‘non-comedogenic’ and many consumers reaching out to them. But what exactly is comedogenic?

Well, let’s find out what are comedogenic products and why you should bother about your skincare being non-comedogenic. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using them as well as some expert skincare tips to follow.

WHAT IS COMEDOGENIC?

Basically, our skin pores release sebum in a certain amount as a part of maintaining the skin’s health. But when this sebum is released in an excessive amount by the sebaceous glands, then it becomes an issue. What happens here is that the natural oil then gets mixed with the dead skin cells and invites the environmental bacteria to cause harm. This takes place on the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) and eventually as this bacteria leads to acne. Therefore, people with oily skin tend to break out quite often as their pores are blocked. Clogged pores are a milder form of acne that further converts to whiteheads, blackheads, bumpy skin texture, pimples, redness, skin inflammation, etc.

Now, to combat this, dietary changes are suggested by dermatologists but at the same time, they also strictly recommend using only non-comedogenic products for oily skin. They do not promote or accelerate acne formation and work effectively to clear off the existing acne

HOW TO CLASSIFY WHETHER A PRODUCT IS NON-COMEDOGENIC?

Such products are generally labelled, but you can take a look at the ingredient list to find out the same. These ingredients have a lower risk of clogging your pores. They don’t treat acne, but rather they serve their actual purpose without clogging your pores. Here are a few non-comedogenic ingredients –

Aloe Vera
Vitamin C
Rose Water
Sweet Almond Oil
Witch Hazel
Green Tea Extract
Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Allantoin

So, if you have an oily skin type and want to stay away from acne, opt for lighter formulations. Thick creams, oily serums and lotions can clog your pores

SKINCARE TIPS FOR OILY SKIN TYPE

Here are a few things to note and follow if you have acne-prone skin:

1. Avoid cream-based moisturisers and opt for water or gel-based formulations. 
2. If you use makeup, make sure you let it stay for a shorter period of time. Cleanse or double-cleanse your face with an organic foaming facewash to make sure every last particle of makeup is removed from your face. Generally, foundations clog your pores and don’t allow the skin to breathe.
3. Use organic skincare products which are lighter formulations and deprived of harmful chemicals that are too harsh for your skin barrier. For eg. Chemical sunscreens make you sweat a lot, leading to clogged pores. We are already experiencing a huge shift taking place with regard to people reaching out for natural, organic products. 
4. Opt for fragrant-free non-comedogenic products for oily skin as artificial fragrances can irritate skin and also lead to redness.
5. If you already suffer from acne, it is advised to consume more water. This will naturally flush out all the toxins from your body. 
6. Avoid touching and picking your face often, especially when you have active acne as infections and germs spread this way, leading to worsening the problem. Our hands are usually the dirtiest as they touch thousands of surfaces throughout the day.
7. Try Skinimalism. Give your skin a much-needed break from products.

CONCLUSION

Skincare cannot and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Whatever your acne situation is, if you are confused or unsure which product is best suited for your skin, try consulting with a dermatologist.