Most comedogenic oils
10 plant and animal oils and butters with a published comedogenic rating of 4 or 5, the top of the scale. Each entry shows where the number comes from and how far it can be trusted.
A 4 or 5 means the raw oil plugged follicles in the rabbit-ear assay at test concentration. Several of these ratings are Contested: the published values disagree, or the grade depends on refinement. Open the entry to see which number is shown and why.
5/5 — highest (1)
4/5 — high (9)
- 4/5Bacuri ButterCited high in butter compilations.
- 4/5Carrot Seed OilCited 3–4; higher kept.
- 4/5Cocoa ButterRich butter, strongly comedogenic.
- 4/5Coconut ButterAs comedogenic as the oil.
- 4/5Coconut OilBeloved, but strongly comedogenic on facial skin.
- 4/5Cupuacu ButterConflicting citations (1–4); higher-caution 4 kept.
- 4/5Flaxseed OilStrongly comedogenic in classic lists.
- 4/5Palm Kernel OilStrongly comedogenic.
- 4/5Palm OilStrongly comedogenic.
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.