Fatty acids
10 ingredients in this family, 2 rated 3/5 or higher. Grouped by published comedogenic rating, highest first.
Free fatty acids — stearic, palmitic, lauric, oleic and relatives — used as thickeners, emulsifier components and emollients.
4/5 — high (1)
3/5 — moderate (1)
2/5 — low-to-moderate (6)
- 2/5Capric AcidFatty acid, low-moderate.
- 2/5Caproic AcidFulton 1989 Table III graded it 0 in a volatile solvent and 2 in an oil vehicle; higher-caution 2 kept.
- 2/5Eicosanoic AcidGraded in the original Fulton 1989 table at 2; long-chain fatty acid.
- 2/5Oleic AcidLow-moderate in published lists; the main fatty acid of olive and many nut oils.
- 2/5Palmitic AcidLow-moderate.
- 2/5Stearic AcidFatty acid, low-moderate.
1/5 — low (1)
0/5 — not rated as comedogenic (1)
About these ratings
Every number is a published rabbit-ear assay grade (Fulton 1989 lineage), shown with its source and a confidence tier on the ingredient page. A rating describes a raw ingredient as tested, not a finished product: concentration, formulation and individual skin decide real-world behaviour. 3/5 and up is where the 1989 AAD symposium recommended caution. How we rate · full sortable table and CC-BY download.