Comedogenic rating
Coconut Oil Comedogenic Rating
Rating
4
out of 5 (range 4 to 5)
Pore-clogging risk
HighFrequently clogs pores, particularly on the face. Best kept to body use or avoided.
Category
Carrier oil
Coconut oil rates high at about 4, so it is one of the more pore-clogging facial oils despite being popular for body and hair care.
What a rating of 4 means
A rating of 4 means coconut oil clogs pores for a large share of users, especially on the face. It feels wonderful on dry body skin and hair, but the same heavy, saturated structure that makes it protective can trap dead cells and oil inside pores and trigger closed comedones.
Fatty acid profile
Coconut oil is dominated by lauric and myristic acids, both saturated fats that sit on top of skin rather than mimicking sebum. It carries almost no linoleic acid, which is the fatty acid that acne-prone skin is often low in, so it does little to rebalance congested skin.
Key fatty acids: Lauric acid, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid.
Profile: Saturated and lauric-heavy with very little linoleic acid.
Best for
- Body skin
- Very dry hands and feet
- Hair
Use caution with
- Acne-prone skin
- Oily skin
- Congested facial skin
Who should use it
Reach for coconut oil on elbows, heels, shins, and hair, where its richness shines and clogged pores are not a concern. Keep it off acne-prone faces and backs. If you love coconut oil but break out, a tallow balm gives similar richness with a much lower clogging risk.
How it compares to beef tallow
Beef tallow rates about half as comedogenic as coconut oil while still giving you a rich, sealing finish, which makes it an easier face swap for anyone who breaks out from coconut.
How to apply it
Use it below the neck. For the face, choose a lower-rated option and save coconut oil for body and hair masks.
Common questions
Is coconut oil comedogenic?
Yes. Coconut oil rates about 4 out of 5 and is considered comedogenic, especially on facial skin where it commonly causes closed comedones in acne-prone users.
Why does coconut oil break me out?
Its high lauric and myristic acid content sits on the skin and can trap debris in pores. People prone to congestion often see small bumps within a week of using it on the face.
What is a less pore-clogging alternative to coconut oil?
Lower-rated options include hemp seed oil, sunflower oil, and beef tallow, all of which are far gentler on pores than coconut oil.
Want richness with a low comedogenic rating?
Beef tallow rates around 1 to 2 and mirrors skin sebum, which makes it an easy face swap if coconut oil feels too heavy or clogging. Misun Health uses a single grass-fed ingredient with no fragrance or fillers.
Compare related ingredients
- Jojoba Oil (rates 2)
- Olive Oil (rates 2)
- Argan Oil (rates 0)
- Rosehip Oil (rates 1)
- Castor Oil (rates 1)
- Sweet Almond Oil (rates 2)
Educational content only. This page is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Comedogenic ratings are general guides that can vary by source and by individual skin. Patch test new products before regular use.