Why charts disagree
One number can hide several different experiments
Test model
Many widely repeated values trace to rabbit-ear assays. Human models have also been used, and the older literature itself discusses sensitivity and translation limits between models.
Dose and vehicle
A raw material tested at one concentration or in one vehicle does not establish how a smaller amount will behave inside a different finished formula.
Ingredient identity
Broad names can cover different grades, derivatives, processing histories, and compositions. A score without the tested material is difficult to apply.
Finished product and person
Formula interactions, application amount, use area, routine, and individual response all matter. Ingredient-level evidence cannot guarantee a personal outcome.
How to evaluate a rating claim
| Claim you see | Context still needed | Better next question |
|---|---|---|
| "This ingredient is a 2." | Source, test model, material identity, concentration, vehicle, and grading method | Can I inspect the original result and its limitations? |
| "This formula contains a high-rated ingredient." | Ingredient amount, complete formula, processing, and finished-product evidence | Was the finished product tested, and by what method? |
| "Noncomedogenic." | The term is not defined by one universal US industry standard | What definition and evidence does this brand use? |
| "It worked for someone with similar skin." | Different routines, amounts, formulas, and individual responses | Can I change one product at a time and watch my own response? |
What Misun changed and why
An earlier version of this page published a searchable 0-to-5 chart and individual ingredient pages. The records did not show enough source-level detail to support the certainty of those numbers or the personal guidance built around them. We removed the scores instead of inventing missing provenance.
Misun has not published a finished-product comedogenicity study for its cream or balm. We therefore do not call either product noncomedogenic and do not assign beef tallow a universal pore-clogging score.
Beef tallow question
Looking specifically at tallow and facial pore concerns?
The focused guide explains why amount, use area, formula, and individual response matter, without presenting a universal score or treatment claim.
Read the beef tallow guideA practical product check
Read the current package
Confirm the complete ingredient statement for the exact product and package you plan to buy. Retailer listings and formulas can change.
Ask what was tested
Distinguish an ingredient chart, a finished-product test, and a marketing label. They do not establish the same thing.
Keep the comparison controlled
Change one product at a time, use a small amount, and pay attention to the area where you apply it. Stop using a product if you notice an unwanted response.