After a recent bad experience with Dieux’s Deliverance Serum, I’ve decided I need to go through all my skincare and cut out anything with pore-cloggers high on the ingredients list. Through this process, I’m realizing most skincare products were not made for people with extremely clog-prone skin, which is actually turning out to be a great thing!
Checking every product has been better for my skin and wallet since I’m a person who falls prey to every “must-have” viral skincare product that seems to come out weekly. If you have clog-prone skin like I do, get ready to be de-influenced. Here are ten of the most recent viral products and whether they contain pore-clogging ingredients or not!
Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid:
This was my favorite hyaluronic acid serum of all time…until they changed the formula. Now, I’m a bit scared to try it, but I am glad the old formula is still available on their site!
New formula: Ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract is the 10th ingredient
Old formula: No pore cloggers
Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration:
I’ve always thought Topicals was an interesting brand because their whole schtick is being acne-friendly, but this product (and Like Butter!) both contain pore cloggers. I think this would be better for someone who gets hormonal or other types of acne (besides comedonal).
Shea is the 7th ingredient
Soybean is the 26th ingredient
Mixsoon Bean Essence (use code MICAH143 to save): No pore cloggers
This K-beauty favorite is a snail mucin alternative for those who can’t use snail mucin (some people are sensitive to it if they have a dust mite allergy!) Thankfully, it also doesn’t contain any pore cloggers.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5: Shea butter is the 5th ingredient
I wish I could use this so badly, but I know I would breakout in .2 seconds. This would be best for someone whose breakouts are caused by irritation/a weak skin barrier.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: No pore cloggers
This is a holy grail for me (and so many others!) for a reason. It contains minimal ingredients and gets the job done. My skin always looks smoother when I use this twice per week.
Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief:
I’m actually shocked this contains two pore cloggers because it plays so well with my skin. If I had to bet, I’d say the two ingredients are too far down the ingredient list to make a huge difference. I’m going to continue using it, but taking more note on how my skin reacts with continued use. I am on my fourth bottle already, though!
Sorbitan Oleate is the 12th ingredient
Soybean is the 26th ingredient
Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Barrier Repair Cream with Ceramides: No pore cloggers
For as thick as this moisturizer is, it’s a miracle this doesn’t contain any pore cloggers. I’ve heard of it breaking people out before, but my skin loved it. It’s also a great example of how one product from a brand may work amazingly for you, while another is a mess (like me with their Deliverance Serum!)
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum: No pore cloggers
I’ll be the first to admit that I think niacinamide is overhyped (at least for my skin), but this product actually does make my skin glowy and brighter with continued use. Super happy to report it also doesn’t clog pores!
Beauty Of Joseon Sunscreen (use code MICAH143 to save): Kelp is the 39th ingredient
In a similar vein as the Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief, I’ve been through multiple tubes of this with no issues. Since kelp is so far down the ingredient list, it doesn’t seem to be enough to bother my skin—thankfully!
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: Shea is the 13th ingredient
This is another skincare favorite that I find to be overhyped. Personally, I don’t like the texture because it feels like a greasy version of the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, but I know people love it for how clear it goes on. Just keep in mind it does contain a bit of shea butter!
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