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The right oil can hydrate, cleanse, and leave your face glowing. Unfortunately, your favourite facial oils could be sabotaging your skin by trapping dirt inside your pores. These non-comedogenic oils are the perfect solution. You just need to choose the right one for your skin type or most annoying ailment.
What Are Non-Comedogenic Oils?
TL;DR version: “non-comedogenic” refers to an oil that won't clog pores and lead to breakouts.
People tend to associate oils with oily skin and clogged pores. But the truth is applying the right kind of facial oil can balance your skin's natural sebum – especially when used with other potent essential oils in your skincare routine.
Non-comedogenic oils allow your skin to breathe. Comedogenic oils, on the other hand, encourage the growth of comedones (blackheads, whiteheads, and annoying bumps) because they seal pores shut.
Oils are rated on a scale of 0 to 5 based on how likely they are to clog your pores. Anything scoring 0 to 3 is likely safe to use without suffering a breakout. Pore-clogging oils with a ranking of 4 or 5 should be avoided. Coconut oil, for instance, scores a 4 on the comedogenic scale – yikes!
7 Noncomedogenic Oils to Choose Based on Skin Type
Plant oils can function on several levels to help cleanse pores, lock in moisture, support healthy sebum production, promote wound healing, and form a protective barrier against the elements. Many oils contain antioxidants like vitamin E to reduce free radical damage and rid your skin of toxins.
Every oil on this list can serve multiple purposes. Jojoba, for instance, is also a great choice for dry or aging skin because it penetrates deep below the surface to lock in moisture.
Comedogenic Rating: 0 out of 5
Studies show that mānuka oil is an excellent non-comedogenic facial oil, able to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture for deep hydration without clogging pores. It’s safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Mānuka oil is loaded with antioxidants and boasts powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make it ideal for anything to do with skin healing and rejuvenation. Whether your concern is acne, scarring, dark spots, fine lines, or collagen restoration, this powerhouse ingredient can help.
Our Manuka Face Oil Blend is formulated with the most potent mānuka oil in the world, sourced from the East Cape of New Zealand. You may have heard of the benefits of mānuka honey for skin health – well, mānuka oil is scientifically proven to be 1,000 times more powerful!
Comedogenic Rating: 3 out of 5
Castor seed oil contains a rare omega-9 fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which is likely what provides the oil's restorative properties. This oil is fantastic for dry skin, as it can penetrate deep into the skin layer to deliver and lock in moisture where it's most needed.
Castor oil is also popular in skincare designed to heal skin damage, such as scars from acne or a compromised skin barrier. It can even help your skin to recover faster from minor cuts, stings, burns or abrasions.
Comedogenic Rating: 2 out of 5Sweet almond oil contains both alpha-linoleic acid and linoleic acid, the two essential fatty acids required by the human body, as well as the omega-9 oleic acid. All three are used in skincare for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, alpha-linoleic acid can help to treat the appearance of dull skin and hyperpigmentation by accelerating skin cell turnover for a fresher, more glowing complexion. Linoleic acid and oleic acid are both effective at strengthening the skin barrier and protecting against environmental damage.
Comedogenic Rating: 1 out of 5
You probably haven't heard about this oil, but it's been used to treat ailments like sunburn and dry skin in the Pacific Islands for centuries. It’s a light and soothing oil that doesn’t cause clogged pores or skin irritation, which makes it an ideal carrier oil for safely applying essential oils.
Tamanu oil is an excellent choice for acne-prone skin. It can help to treat acne-inflamed skin by reducing redness and swelling, heal acne scars, and prevent breakouts from occurring thanks to its potent antibacterial properties.
Comedogenic Rating: 0 out of 5
Though you might think of sunflower seed oil as a cooking oil in the same category as olive oil and grapeseed oil, it has surprising skincare benefits. Sunflower oil’s excellent moisturising properties help reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, and it has a very low comedogenic rating thanks to its lightweight texture.
Sunflower seed oil is also loaded with Vitamin E, one of the best vitamins for nourishing dry and mature skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radical damage, protects against environmental stressors, and helps retain moisture in skin for a more plump and youthful appearance.
Comedogenic Rating: 0 out of 5Rosehip seed oil has an impressive vitamin profile that’s rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, all of which help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dullness. By combining all three, rosehip oil is one of the best natural solutions for evening skin tone and achieving a brighter complexion.
Not only that, rosehip oil is prized in skincare for its abilities to support skin barrier repair, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimise the appearance of scarring, and deeply moisturise the skin thanks to its high oleic acid content.
Comedogenic Rating: 2 out of 5
Jojoba oil is a favourite for oily skin because it’s chemically and structurally similar to the skin's natural oils, which helps to balance oil production and prevent excessive oiliness. As a lightweight oil, jojoba is able to penetrate deep into pores to clear out toxins, reducing the likelihood of breakouts.
Jojoba oil is also rich in antioxidants, including Vitamins A, D, and E, which help to protect against environmental damage and reduce the visible signs of aging. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritation and reduce redness, making it a great option for managing acne and skin inflammation.
Give Your Base Oil a Boost
Don't forget to add pure essential oils to your carrier oil to support your skin. These are some of the best choices:
- Mānuka oil: Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and more!
- Frankincense oil: Anti-aging and moisturising.
- Lavender oil: Calming and anti-inflammatory.
- Lemon oil: Exfoliating and antibacterial.
Now you just need to try a few different non-comedogenic oils and see which one your skin likes best! ManukaRx’s Face Oil Blends already have non-comedogenic oils inside to take advantage of right away!
