K-Beauty Glossary
What is Non-comedogenic?
Doesn't clog pores
'Non-comedogenic' means an ingredient or product is unlikely to clog pores and cause comedones (blackheads, whiteheads). It's not a regulated claim — brands self-declare. Comedogenicity testing uses a 0–5 scale based on in-vitro or rabbit-ear tests. Comedogenic oils (high rating): coconut, cocoa butter, flaxseed. Non-comedogenic oils (low rating): squalane, jojoba, rosehip, argan. Individual responses vary — something rated 0 can still break out some people, and vice versa.