Non comedogenic oils, comedogenic oils, and the comedogenic scale in general and its effects on skin-barrier function have gained exponential interest. Over the years, I have been asked about which carrier oils are best for certain skin types and whether or not these oils clog your pores. So, I thought to myself, “It’s time to write the mother of all comedogenic oil posts!”. You asked, and now you shall receive. So, here it is, the complete list of non comedogenic oils!
This article was a real bear to write, and it was really REALLY difficult to find information on a lot of these oils, especially the exotic oils I list below.
You know what else is a bear to deal with? Frustrating acne breakouts. Who needs em'!
Don't you wish you could just wave a magic wand while scrutinizing yourself in the mirror and - Viola!
Clear skin, smaller pores, proper hydration - at last!
Well, this guide is almost just as good as magically getting rid of your skin woes (and perhaps almost as good as these amazing zit patches) - at least in the sense that you will know exactly what oils you SHOULDN'T be putting on it.
I hope we can all come together and refine, correct, and expand this list for the benefit of all. With that said, please leave a comment below if you have something meaningful to add.
So, here’s the low down on the comedogenic ratings:
An oil that has a comedogenic rating of 0 is widely believed to be non comedogenic and will not clog your pores.
A comedogenic rating of 1 signifies a slight chance that the oil will clog your pores.
A comedogenic rating of 2 tells you that the oil will not clog pores for MOST people, but some will begin to notice clogged pores or a “purge” in some cases.
A comedogenic rating of 3 is where a lot of people will break out using this oil, but a lot of people may not break out depending on their skin type.
A comedogenic rating of 4 suggests that MOST people will break out using this oil unless they have a good tolerance for it. This largely depends on a number of skin type factors.
A comedogenic rating of 5 is basically a guaranteed chance of breaking out. Very very few people can tolerate oils labeled as a 5, but they do exist!
Also, many of the oils listed below are rare, luxurious, or just fun oils that you can add small amounts of to various carrier oils to amplify your skincare routine. You do not need to slather your whole face in kiwi seed oil. Just a few drops will suffice. A lot of these oils, however, are great to use for the oil cleansing method, and I encourage you to try them.
Keep in mind, too, that everyone’s skin is different. What works for me may be a nightmare for you because there are too many factors that come into play, such as lifestyle, race, the food you eat, how much water you drink, illness, deficiencies, mental health, environment, dehydration (read more HERE), skin barrier health, current levels of skin irritation, etc., etc., that will make a difference in how these oils will work for your skin.
You may also note that it might not make sense why an oil has the comedogenic rating that it does. This is also because the ratios of the many essential fatty acids contained within an oil (not all of them are listed for each oil) are different from one another. Other factors may include where the oil comes from, how it was extracted, and the quality and ethics of the company who makes it.
If you need more guidance, please check out my post on the best oils for your skin type.
Also, I've got another EXTENSIVE post on the comedogenic rating of over 300 skincare ingredients. So, if you're someone who buys their skincare at the store, this is a definite MUST READ.
So, without further ado, here is the complete list of over 100 non comedogenic oils.
The Complete List of Non Comedogenic Oils - How to Have Clear Skin by Finding The Right Oil for YOU
Abyssinian Oil (aka Crambe Oil)
Oleic acid - 10-15%
Linoleic acid – 7-15%
Linolenic acid – 2-5%
Erucic – 50-65%
Comedogenic Rating – 1
Abyssinian oil is considered to be an incredibly stable oil, just like jojoba, due to the high amount of erucic it contains. This powerful Omega-9 is known for its emollient properties, which makes it well suited for dispersing nutrients throughout the skin – especially when infused with herbs or essential oils.
It hydrates and plumps the skin without feeling oily and balances uneven skin tone and texture. Its rapid absorption makes it suitable for normal to oily skin types.
Acai Berry Oil (aka Assai Palm Oil)
Palmitic acid – 8-15%
Stearic acid – 2-10%
Oleic acid – 35-55%
Linoleic acid – 20-40%
Comedogenic Rating – 2
Acai Berry Oil contains an impressive combo of Omega 3, 6, and 9 which makes it super moisturizing for dry skin types. It has an affinity for mature, dry, damaged skin, especially those who may suffer from dry, irritated skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Acai berry oil is also very high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the skin, prevent moisture loss, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s emollient and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Aloe Oil (infused carrier oil) – rating depends on the carrier oil used
Aloe oil is an amazing healer for the skin. It repairs devitalized cells, UV damage, and accelerates the healing of acne, cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. Aloe oil also reduces redness and inflammation. If infused in a non comedogenic carrier oil such as hemp oil, it will not clog your pores.
Amaranth Oil
Palmitic acid - 19%
Stearic acid - 3%
Oleic acid - 23%
Linoleic acid - 50%
Comedogenic Rating - 2-3
Amaranth oil naturally contains high amounts of squalene - one of the most common lipids produced by the skin - which makes it perfect for moisturization and slowing down the signs of aging.
This oil works best for more resilient oily skin types but may clog pores. For those that can tolerate it, it makes for a wonderful antioxidant oil to use for clear, beautiful skin!
Amla Oil (aka Indian Gooseberry Oil)
Linoleic acid – 51%
Oleic acid – 26%
Comedogenic Rating – 1
Amla oil is an incredibly nourishing oil that's full of vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, and minerals that support both skin and hair health. Unlike other oils, amla oil is expeller pressed into sesame seed oil, giving it a lovely green hue with medium viscosity and absorption. Most often, this oil is used for treating scalp conditions (like alopecia) but can also be used to combat the signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and oxidative stress. It also has slight UV protection.
Andiroba Oil
Palmitic acid – 10-20%
Stearic acid – 5-10%
Oleic acid – 45-55%
Linoleic acid – 25-30%
Comedogenic Rating – 2
Andiroba oil is a very interesting-looking oil indeed! Its bright golden color and mild fruity scent make any homemade skin care bright and inviting. It’s very emollient and moisturizing, which makes it perfect for dry, irritated, acne prone skin types. Andiroba oil is especially good at controlling inflammation caused by acne breakouts, overexerted muscles, and injuries.
Another interesting aspect of andiroba is its natural bug-repellent properties!
Apricot Kernel Oil
Linoleic acid- 23%
Linolenic acid- 0.22%
Oleic acid- 70%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Apricot kernel oil is a favorite oil among those with combination to dry skin types. It absorbs into the skin well, is anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial, which makes it a valuable ally against acne causing bacteria.
Argan Oil
Linoleic acid- 37%
Linolenic acid- <0.5%
Oleic acid- 43%
Comedogenic Rating- 0
Argan oil is the holy grail oil for many, and for good reason! It boasts some pretty amazing skin reparative benefits, along with a very low chance of clogging pores, making it one of my top non comedogenic oils for acne sufferers. Another reason to reach for this oil is for its ability to treat acne and acne scars. Argan oil regulates the production of sebum, which helps prevent further breakouts, and its Vitamin E content helps fade scars and smooth out the skin’s texture. Suitable for most skin types.
Avocado Oil
Linoleic acid- 15%
Linolenic acid- 0.8%
Oleic acid- 65%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Avocado oil is suitable for drier acne prone skin types but may still clog pores. However, if your skin tolerates this oil, it is amazing for hydration and skin tone renewal. Since it is a heavier oil, it may be best suited for use at night. Avocado oil is said to diminish pore size and remove impurities from the skin over time. It's also good for repairing the skin's outer most barrier, reversing the signs of aging, and for treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Babassu Oil
Lauric acid- 42%
Linoleic acid- 3%
Myristic acid- 17%
Oleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Babassu oil is a low-comedogenic oil that is great for soothing inflamed skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and other distressed skin conditions. It also calms redness and itchy inflamed skin. Babassu oil is a light, mild moisturizer that melts on contact with the skin with a dry oil texture, making it suitable for most skin types. It may, however, cause a purge similar to jojoba oil if you have oily skin.
Baobab Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 24-34%
Linolenic acid- 1-3%
Oleic acid- 30-40%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Baobab oil comes from the baobab tree aka “The Tree of Life” and for good reason! It absorbs quickly and easily into the skin, effectively smoothing out rough, dry patches and restoring life back into your skin. It's soothing, helps maintain radiance, and supports the elasticity of the skin.
Baobab a great oil to use for combination skin types with a low chance of clogging pores. Also great for taming hair!
Black Cumin Seed Oil (aka Kalonji oil, Caraway Oil, Nigella sativa Oil, and Black Seed Oil)
Linoleic acid- 53.08%
Linolenic acid- 0.24%
Oleic acid- 21.7%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Black cumin seed oil has been used for centuries to promote good health. It is exceptionally high in anti-oxidants, making it a great oil to use for anti-aging skincare remedies. This oil is relatively well tolerated by most skin types. It is especially good for those with eczema and psoriasis, as it calms inflammation and accelerates healing. It naturally softens, strengthens, and firms the skin. Also great for breaking up acne scars.
Black Currant Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 41%
Alpha- Linolenic acid- 17%
Gamma-Linolenic acid- 14%
Oleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Black currant seed oil is especially beneficial for dry, damaged, devitalized skin and for those whose skin is also sensitive. It’s a very healing oil for rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis as it regenerates and calms distressed inflammatory skin conditions.
Black Raspberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 48%
Linolenic acid- 28%
Oleic acid- 10.5-18%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Black raspberry seed oil is a wonderful non-greasy oil for supporting lipids in the skin and deflecting free radicals. It keeps the skin smooth and plump and helps maintain elasticity and protect the skin from oxidative damage. Suitable for those with dry or combination acne prone skin. Also great for maturing and sensitive skin types.
Blackberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 62.7%
Linolenic acid- 15%
Oleic acid- 15.1%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Blackberry seed oil contains a unique combination of essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants which help combat aging skin, blotchiness, large pores, and blemishes. Suitable for oilier skin types and does well mixed with other oils. Hydrating and emollient.
Blueberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 44%
Linolenic acid- 25%
Oleic acid- 23%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Blueberry seed oil is a powerhouse of anti-aging properties that offer protection against free radicals, collagen degradation, and loss of vibrancy. It has an exceptionally high antioxidant content and is an amazing oil to add to your OCM formula or to use as a spot treatment for wrinkles, rough skin, and areas of redness and inflammation. It repairs the skin and absorbs quickly without an oily finish. Suitable for most skin types, especially if you have oily acne prone skin, maturing, dry, or dehydrated skin.
Borage Oil
Palmitic acid - 9-12%
Linoleic acid- 39%
Gamma Linolenic acid- 20%
Oleic acid- 18%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Borage seed oil is an amazing skin regenerator due to its gamma linolenic acid content. Taking it internally helps maintain the reproductive system, balance hormones, reduce stress, and regulate the metabolism, but applying it topically is a great way to smooth out the complexion and moisturize the skin. It's hydrating, nourishing, and protective.
Borage seed oil also reduces inflammation associated with certain skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. This oil is suitable for combination skin types that lean more on the oily side.
Brazil Nut Oil
Linoleic acid- 25-40%
Linolenic acid- 0.1%
Oleic acid- 35-50%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Brazil nut oil has yet to gain the popularity it deserves! This oil is a lot like jojoba oil in the sense that is absorbed very easily and helps to detox the skin. This is also an excellent oil to use for hyperpigmentation and softening dry skin. Brazil nut oil is best suited for drier mature skin types and is known for its ability to correct dry, problem, or damaged skin.
Broccoli Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 11.2%
Linolenic acid- 11%
Oleic acid– 13.3%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Broccoli seed oil has amazing lubricity that is glossy and non-greasy. It has a pungent smell as well which makes it a bit yucky to use on your skin. However, it’s amazing for hair! I wouldn’t necessarily use it for skin care since you will look shiny, but it is good for making cream, balms, and lip balms.
Buriti Fruit Oil (aka Moriche Palm Oil)
Palmitic acid – 8-15%
Stearic acid – 1-5%
Oleic acid – 45-65%
Linoleic acid – 10-25%
Comedogenic Rating – 2
Buriti fruit oil is extremely rich in carotenoids (like beta-carotene) and essential fatty acids - even more than carrots!
Its gorgeous red-orange hue makes homemade skin care extra luxurious and vibrant. When used on the skin, it deeply moisturizes, nourishes, and soothes dry, cracked irritated skin and is especially good for after-sun exposure.
Buriti oil is also known to rebuild and hydrate skin cells and protect the collagen and elastin in the skin. It's good for reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Suitable for dry skin types but may clog pores in oiler skin types.
Cacay Oil
Palmitic acid - 9%
Stearic acid - 3%
Oleic acid - 13%
Linoleic acid - 68%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Cacay oil is a dry oil that is rich in retinol, vitamin E, and anti-inflammatory properties. It's a great oil to use for oily skin type and has a low chance of causing clogged pores or breakouts. It absorbs quickly, restores elasticity, brightens skin tone, and even lightens hyperpigmentation with consistent use. It is also good for reducing scars and healing blemishes.
Calendula Oil
Comedogenic Rating- 1 if infused in a non comedogenic oil
Calendula oil is a carrier oil that has been infused with calendula blossoms, and as such, it is difficult to determine its comedogenic rating. If you can find it infused in sunflower oil, you will have the added benefit of sunflower’s anti-bacterial properties which would make it an effective acne treatment. Calendula itself is a very healing herb for the skin. It decreases redness, inflammation, and heals varicose veins, bruises, hyperpigmentation, and soothes dry, itchy, irritated skin.
Camelina Oil (aka False Flax)
Linolenic acid - 38%
Linoleic acid - 16%
Oleic acid - 19%
Eicosenic acid - 12%
Comedogenic Rating - 3-4
Camelina oil is rich in plant sterols (and cholesterol) and omega-3 making it fantastic for anti-aging and for repairing a damaged outer most barrier. However, due to its close similarities to flax oil (hence the common name false flax), it is also highly comedogenic. it may be suitable for those with dry skin types who also suffer from dehydrated skin problems. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing.
If your skin tolerates flax oil, it may also tolerate camelina oil.
Camellia Oleifera (aka Green Tea Seed Oil and Camellia sinensis Oil)
Linoleic acid- 7%
Oleic acid- 79% for high-oleic acid and 36-42% for regular
Comedogenic Rating- 1 unless you get the high oleic acid green tea seed oil, then it will be 2-3
Green tea seed oil is an excellent oil to use for acne sufferers due to its strong antibacterial properties. It is also great for use against the signs of aging as it tightens and smooths skin tone. This oil also reduces inflammation and redness and is a brilliant moisturizer for all skin types unless you get the high-oleic acid version which is more suitable for dry skin types. This oil is a great addition to other oils in the OCM or used as a spot treatment for acne, wrinkles, and other areas of concern.
Carrot Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 10.8%
Linolenic acid- 0.2%
Oleic acid- 68.4%
Comedogenic Rating- 3-4
If your skin can tolerate carrot seed oil, it will greatly improve its tone, elasticity, and overall appearance. It slows aging and is wonderful for calming irritated skin. However, it’s high oleic acid content makes it unsuitable for acne prone skin types. If you wish to harness the amazing benefits carrots have to offer, use carrot seed essential oil instead.
Castor Oil
Linoleic acid- 4%
Ricinoleic acid- 90%
Oleic acid- 4%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Castor oil is essential for many who use the OCM (though not for myself, as I find it much too drying). It has strong detox and purging properties. It also increases cell turnover which is why it is used as an acne treatment. Due to its ricinoleic acid content, castor oil is a very drying oil and must be diluted before using it on the skin. It is suitable for oily skin types but may cause purging and detox of the skin.
Should only be used mixed with other non comedogenic oils.
Chardonnay Grape Seed Oil
Palmitic acid - 10%
Stearic acid - 7%
Oleic acid - 20%
Linoleic acid - 63-72%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Chardonany grape seed oil is an extremely lightweight and luxurious oil that's perfectly suited for oily acne prone skin types. It is one of the only truly cold pressed grape seed oils available making it high in antioxidants and phytonutrients that are easily absorbed into the skin. This oil works best mixed with other non comedogenic oils.
Cherry Kernel Oil
Linoleic acid- 42%
Oleic acid- 46%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Cherry kernel oil has a dry light feel and absorbs well into the skin. Its high phytosterol content makes it an excellent oil to use for reducing inflammation, irritation, and redness. If you like the feel of grapeseed oil but want a little more oomph, try cherry kernel oil and see how you like it! Suitable for most skin types on the slightly drier side.
Chia Seed Oil (also White Chia Seed Oil)
Linoleic acid- 18.7%
Linolenic acid- 61%
Oleic acid- 7.7%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Chia seed oil is delicious and provides sustained energy over a prolonged period of time. Since it is so high in omega-3 (linolenic acid), it will clog the pores for most people if applied topically. However, using this oil as a supplement is a great way to support the skin!
Chokeberry Seed Oil
Palmitic acid - 6-12%
Oleic acid - 22-30%
Linoleic acid - 57-64%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Chokeberry seed oil absorbs quickly and helps to soothe, soften, and protect the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and nourished. it is well suited for oily, sensitive skin types that may also suffer from dehydration.
Cloudberry Seed Oil
Palmitic acid - 3%
Stearic acid - 1.4%
Oleic acid - 16%
Linoleic acid - 43%
Linolenic acid - 34%
Comedogenic Rating - 1
Cloudberry oil is a conditioning oil full of trace nutrients that keep the skin healthy and glowing. Its high amount of linolenic acid keeps dead skin cells from sticking together and clogging pores so it's the perfect oil for acne prone skin, especially skin on the oily side of the spectrum.
This oil is best mixed with other carrier oils.
Cocoa Butter
Linoleic acid- 3%
Oleic acid- 35%
Stearic acid- 35%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
Cocoa butter is a semi-solid to solid oil that is extremely moisturizing for dry, chapped skin. Its high stearic and oleic acid content makes it a comedogenic oil for most skin types and is more suitable for use on the body a deep moisturizer. Some use it sparingly around the eyes as an effective anti-aging eye balm or on rough patches of the skin. Not suitable for acne prone skin.
Coconut Butter
Linoleic acid- 3.2%
Oleic acid- 35%
Palmitic acid- 26%
Stearic acid- 35%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
Coconut Butter is another amazingly moisturizing oil but one that should be used with caution if you have acne prone skin. It works well for very dry chapped skin and as a spot treatment for rough, dry skin on the body. Coconut butter creates a barrier that protects the skin during dry and cold weather.
Coconut Oil (though it seems this oil works for many people just fine)
Lauric acid- 45-52%
Linoleic acid- 1-3%
Linolenic acid- 0.2%
Oleic acid- 5-8%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
This oil is a favorite among many for its amazing health promoting and beautifying properties. It smooths skin and reveals a fresh, glowing complexion for those who tolerate it well. Most, however, do not tolerate coconut oil well on their face, so if you have acne prone skin, you may want to steer clear of this oil. Coconut oil is rather heavy and may be better used at night. Suitable for very dry skin types. You can use it for a lot of other things, which you can read about here.
Cottonseed Oil
Linoleic acid- 42-54%
Linolenic acid- 1%
Oleic acid- 19-35%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Not a very common oil used in skincare but I shall list it nonetheless! Cottonseed oil is typically used in the food industry, but it can be used in skincare as well. However, this oil can cause breakouts in most people, and there isn’t a lot of benefit in cottonseed oil that makes it something you should go out and look for. It is more often used in making soaps with a soft conditioning lather but beware; these soaps may contain some rather strong preservatives to keep it from going rancid.
Cranberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 35-45%
Linolenic acid- 22-35%
Oleic acid- 20-25%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
A very emollient oil, cranberry seed oil is known for its skin moisturizing properties. It absorbs well and holds in moisture which helps protect the skin’s structure and texture. It works especially well for those with dry, scaly, irritated skin. Its vitamin A content makes it especially suitable for treating acne as it is healing and restorative to inflamed tissues.
This oil may break you out if you have very oily skin and will work better for those with drier acne prone skin.
Cucumber Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 60-88%
Linolenic acid- <1%
Oleic acid- 14-20%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Cucumber seed oil is exceptionally high in phytosterols which are known to help strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier, maintain moisture balance, smooth the skin’s surface, and restore elasticity. They also nourish cells and encourage the regeneration of new healthy skin cells. Cucumber seed oil is a wonderful addition to sun care, anti-aging, acne, and dry skin care remedies. You can also use it as a spot treatment for inflammation, redness, and rough patches of the skin. Suitable for most skin types.
Cupuacu Butter
Stearic acid - 38%
Oleic acid - 38%
Palmitic acid - 11%
Arachidic acid - 7%
Comedogenic Rating - 4
While I wouldn't necessarily recommend using cupuacu butter on your face or any other acne prone areas of the body, cupuacu butter is still one of the best and most moisturizing body butters you can buy. If you have super dry skin that can't be quenched, cupuacu butter is what you need.
High in phytosterols and antioxidants, cupuacu butter is anti-inflammatory and sun-protective. it also had the amazing ability to hold 240% its weight in water allowing it to function as an effective hydrator and plumper for the skin, especially when the outer most barrier is impaired. It's a truly restorative, healing, and cell restructuring butter that everyone needs in their DIY cabinet.
Suitable for very dry skin. May clog pores due to its stearic acid content.
Date Seed Oil
Lauric acid- 18%
Linoleic acid- 12%
Linolenic acid- 2%
Oleic acid- 41-50%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Date seed oil is a powerful protectant against UVB radiation making it a great oil to use for those who are out in the sun. It is intensely moisturizing and absorbs rapidly into the skin which is wonderful for aging skin. Its high phytonutritional value helps your skin maintain its appearance and elasticity while reducing redness and irritation. This oil may break you out but should be alright if mixed with other oils that suit your skin type. It's high lauric and oleic acid content is what gives it a comedogenic rating of 3.
Elderberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 43%
Linolenic acid- 35-45%
Oleic acid- 8-12%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Elderberry seed oil is a luxury oil indeed! It’s high in anti-oxidants and is a delight to use on the skin for its beautifying properties. It makes your skin so smooth while promoting good elasticity. Elderberry seed oil has a decongesting effect on the skin making it suitable for inflamed acne prone skin. It may cause a purge of impurities from the skin for this reason. It has a smooth, silky feel that leaves skin soft and supple and helps prevent water loss through the skin.
Emu Oil
Linoleic acid- 15%
Linolenic acid- 0.9%
Oleic acid- 47.4%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Emu oil is very similar to our skin’s essential fatty acid ratios making it the most transdermal oil known. It absorbs very well into the skin carrying anything you add to it into the dermal layer as well. This is what makes emu oil such a sought-after oil in skincare. Applying it to the skin reduces inflammation, pain, and redness. This oil is well tolerated by most skin types and is used primarily as a vehicle for other potent skincare ingredients like essential oils. Suitable for drier skin types.
Evening Primrose Oil
Linoleic acid- 75%
Gamma Linolenic acid- 11%
Oleic acid- 6%
Comedogenic Rating- 2-3
Taken internally, evening primrose oil has the amazing ability to help balance our hormones, and for most of us, this is a big deal when you have acne! Applying this oil topically has also been shown to improve cellular structure in the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote elasticity. This oil is excellent for oily acne prone skin types but may not work well for those with dry skin.
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Caprylic acid - 55-65%
Capric acids - 36-47%
Comedogenic Rating - 2-3
Fractionated coconut oil is often used when the solidifying properties of pure coconut oil are not desired. It stays liquid and is, therefore, useful in homemade massage oils, roll-ons, and other oil-like preparations.
It is more suitable for dry skin types but may clog the pores due to its high caprylic/capric acid content which itself has a comedogenic rating of 2.
It has a lower comedogenic rating than coconut oil because it has had its long-chain triglycerides removed, which makes it less oily.
Goji Seed Oil (aka Goji Berry Oil/Wolf Berry Seed Oil)
Linoleic acid- 68%
Linolenic acid- 3%
Oleic acid- 19%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Goji seed oil is very light and emollient and is often used around the eye area as it is known for its firming attributes. It also helps detox the skin making it a great oil to use for clogged pores and milia around the eyes. Goji seed oil also improves skin tone by stimulating intercellular oxygenation which helps restore the balance of fats and water in the skin. This is a wonderful oil to use for oily skin types.
Grapefruit Seed Oil
Palmitic acid - 26-36%
Stearic acid - 1-4%
Oleic acid - 18-25%
Linoleic acid - 32-40%
Comedogenic Rating - 2
Grapefruit seed oil, not to be confused with grapefruit seed extract, is a light oil that is known for its regenerative and healing properties. It repairs the skin's elasticity, reduces wrinkles, and helps reverse chronic dryness by exfoliating away dead skin cells. It is an especially helpful oil for acne prone, oily skin types.
This oil is best used mixed with other carrier oils (1-3%).
Grape Seed Oil (Grapeseed Oil)
Linoleic acid- 63-72%
Oleic acid- 21%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Well suited for most skin types and has a low chance of clogging pores. Grape seed oil is rich in Vitamin E which helps tighten and moisturize the skin. It reduces inflammation, redness, and accelerates the healing of acne. This is a very light oil that absorbs easily without a greasy residue.
Green Coffee Oil (Arabica)
Palmitic acid - 40%
Linoleic acid - 38%
Estearic acid - 8%
Linolenic acid - 2%
Behenic acid - 1%
Comedogenic Rating - 2
Green arabica coffee oil is rich in phytosterols making it perfect for restoring skin elasticity, repairing skin cells, and evening out skin tone. It's highly moisturizing and is well suited for dry skin types, those who suffer from or want to prevent stretch marks, want to treat cellulite or those who have dark under eye circles. This oil does it all!
This oil is best mixed with other carrier oils as it may clog pores if used alone.
Guava Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 77%
Linolenic acid- 0.7%
Oleic acid- 11%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Guava seed oil is a great oil to use for reducing pore size, toning the skin, and tightening the skin. It helps reduce the signs of aging, scars, stretch marks, and helps prevent moisture loss. It is a very emollient oil that gives the skin a soft and supple feel and appearance. Suitable for most skin types and works well added to other carrier oils or as a spot treatment.
Hazelnut Oil
Linoleic acid- 7-15%
Linolenic acid- 0.5%
Oleic acid- 68-85%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Also known as the “Pore Reducing Oil,” hazelnut oil is amazing for fighting acne and all the skin issues that come along with it. When you apply it to the skin, it feels dry and astringent because it tightens and smooths the skin’s texture. It kills bacteria and helps reduce blackheads and whiteheads while also being very moisturizing and rejuvenating for the skin. It also provides some UV protection due to its high anti-oxidant content. This oil is perfect for most skin types, especially those with sensitive acne prone skin.
Hemp Seed Oil (this oil is my HOLY GRAIL oil!)
Linoleic acid- 56%
Linolenic acid- 10%
Oleic acid- 11%
Comedogenic Rating- 0
Hemp seed oil has amazing skin softening and moisturizing properties that are perfect for those with oily, sensitive skin types. It also reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne breakouts and is a great treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and dry, itchy skin. This oil has really balanced my skin’s oil production, and that’s really saying something because I normally have VERY oily skin. Well tolerated by all skin types. This oil should be kept in the fridge.
Jojoba Oil
Eicosenoic acid- 65-80%
Linoleic acid- 5%
Linolenic acid- 1%
Oleic acid- 5-15%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Jojoba oil is a holy grail acne treatment for many because it mimics the consistency of our own sebum. It has a light moisturizing feel and absorbs well into the skin. Most skin types tolerate jojoba well but will often experience a “purge” of toxins when they begin using it. Normally, this purge will end in a few weeks, revealing clear pores and revitalized skin. This oil is more suitable for oily skin types as it helps balance the production of excess oil.
Karanja Oil
Palmitic acid - 12%
Stearic acid - 8%
Oleic acid - 51%
Linoleic acid - 16%
Linolenic acid - 3%
Behenic acid - 4%
Comedogenic Rating - 2
Considered the "cousin of neem", Karanja oil is interesting in that while it can be slightly comedogenic for oily skin types, it is also a natural antiseptic which means it can actually heal and prevent breakouts. It's also a very cleansing oil with anti-parasitic and insecticidal properties.
This oil is used much like neem oil in healing salves, ointments, and spot treatments and works best mixed with other non comedogenic oils.
Kiwi Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 16%
Linolenic acid- 63%
Oleic acid- 13%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Kiwi seed oil is well suited for those with dry scaling skin types who need help maintaining moisture. Its high alpha linoleic content help slough off dead skin cells and revitalize the cells underneath, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. Great to use during the cold, dry winter months as a protectant against dry skin. Also, a great oil to use on split ends! Best used as an additional oil to other carrier oils or as a spot treatment.
Kukui Nut Oil
Linoleic acid- 40%
Linolenic acid- 26%
Oleic acid- 25%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Meaning “enlightenment,” kukui nut oil revitalizes tired skin cells by providing moisture and nutrients. It works amazingly well as a massage oil, and for this reason, it is better suited for dry skin types or for use at night as it may leave an oily residue on the skin. Kukui nut oil is also a popular oil to use for stretch marks, after sun care, and as a scalp conditioner.
Lanolin Oil
EFA complex- unknown
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Lanolin is extracted from the wax found in sheep’s wool and is an excellent emollient for homemade skincare recipes. It is often used in formulas for very dry skin as it has the ability to absorb 50% of its weight in water. More suitable for very dry skin types and works well mixed with a carrier oil because of its thick, greasy, sticky consistency on its own.
Linseed Oil (aka Flax Seed Oil) - Cold Pressed
Linoleic acid- 17%
Linolenic acid- 59%
Oleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
One of nature’s richest sources of essential fatty acids, flaxseed oil is high in omega-3, lignans, vitamins, and minerals. Most skin types will not tolerate this oil, especially acne prone skin. However, using the oil internally for some individuals is a great way to moisturize the skin from the inside out. Refrigerate after opening.
Macadamia Nut Oil
Linoleic acid- 1-5%
Linolenic acid- 3%
Oleic acid- 55-67%
Palmitoleic acid- 15-22%
Comedogenic Rating- 2-3
Macadamia nut oil easily absorbs into the skin and protects it from free radical damage. Its moisturizing benefits keep skin soft and nourished, especially when other active ingredients are added. This is because macadamia nut oil, like emu oil, acts as a vehicle to carry ingredients like essential oils deep into the dermal layer. This oil is best suited for dry skin types.
Mango Butter
Linoleic acid- 1-13%
Oleic acid- 34-56%
Palmitic acid- 3-18%
Stearic acid- 26-57%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Mango butter is an excellent moisturizer for the skin. It combats dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other dry, inflamed skin conditions. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and soothes rashes, insect bites, and sunburns. If you have dry skin, mango butter may work well for you as it has a lower chance of clogging pores compared to cocoa butter.
Mango Seed Oil (Mango Oil)
Linoleic acid- 4%
Oleic acid- 40-46%
Stearic acid- 40-45%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Mango seed oil melts on contact with the skin. It reduces inflammation and redness, relieves dry skin, and protects ultra-sensitive skin types. It smooths and moisturizes dry skin types and is generally well tolerated by those with acne prone skin.
Maracuja Oil (aka Passion Fruit Seed Oil)
Linoleic acid- 77%
Oleic acid- 12%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Maracuja oil comes from passion fruit seeds and flowers and is a very luxuriant oil. Using it on the skin induces a sense of calm and well-being due to the medicinal properties of the passion fruit plant and is therefore recommended for use during times of stress and periods of poor sleep. It is also a good oil to use for dry, itchy skin or inflamed acne prone areas. If you like argan oil but need a more emollient oil, try this one! Suitable for oily skin types.
Marula Oil
Linoleic acid- 4-7%
Oleic acid- 70-78%
Comedogenic Rating- 3-4
Marula oil is a light textured oil that is fast absorbing, nutritive, and soothing for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It contains powerful antioxidants that fight against environmental aggressors, reverses sun damage, and reduce the signs of aging. It moisturizes and protects the skin and boosts cellular vibrancy. This is a great oil to use for drier skin types that tolerate coconut oil well.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Ecosenoic acid- 60%
Linoleic acid- 4%
Oleic acid- 2%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Meadowfoam seed oil is a mild oil that has a consistency similar to jojoba oil. It has the ability to break down blackheads and detox the skin but with a slightly lower chance of causing a purge. If you have sensitive, oily, acne prone skin, you should give this oil a try! If you have very dry skin, you may want to try macadamia nut oil which has a similar ecosenoic acid profile.
Milk Thistle Seed Oil
Linoleic acid-61%
Linolenic acid- 0.2%
Oleic acid- 24%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Milk thistle seed oil has very similar properties to sunflower oil making it a safe choice for most skin types. It is very nutritive and protective for the skin. Best used over the liver as a liver pack for detox and support.
Mink Oil
Linoleic acid- 16%
Oleic acid- 39%
Palmitic acid- 16%
Palmitoleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Mink oil is mildly anti-inflammatory, relieves itching, and is a great oil to use to dissolve excess sebum and impurities from the skin. It rejuvenates and conditions the skin, helping protects it from harsh elements while sealing in moisture. This oil may break you out, and is more suitable for drier skin types.
Moringa Oil (aka Behen Oil)
Palmitic acid - 5-13%
Stearic acid - 2-6%
Behenic acid - 3-10%
Oleic acid - 50-78%
Linoleic acid - 1-10%
Comedogenic Rating - 3-4
Moringa oil is a highly moisturizing oil that absorbs into the skin quickly. It is rich in antioxidants with an affinity for protecting the skin from aging. It is suitable for dry and combination skin types but may cause breakouts due to its palmitic, stearic, and behenic acid content.
This oil is mostly used as a fragrance fixative in cosmetic formulations and to help extend the shelf life of other oils.
Mustard Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 10%
Linolenic acid- 11%
Oleic acid- 25%
Comedogenic Rating- 2-3
Not recommended for use on the face. Mustard seed oil is generally used as a massage oil or as a muscle rub because of its warming, pain relieving effects.
Neem Oil
Linoleic acid- 13%
Oleic acid- 50%
Palmitic acid- 18%
Stearic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Neem oil is an amazing oil to use for acne prone skin due to its potent anti-bacterial properties. It reduces inflammation, redness, and irritation while protecting and moisturizing the skin. I find that it has a heavier, oilier feel when applied so I generally mix a few drops into another carrier oil to prevent that “oil slick” look. This oil is better suited for drier skin types for this reason but can still be used for oily skin when mixed with other oils. Neem oil has a strange pungent odor like “boiled peanuts” so keep that in mind before going on a date with it on your face!
Oat Oil
Oleic acid - 35-43%
Linoleic acid - 35-43%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Oat oil is a well-balanced oil that is emollient with a medium viscosity and is anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic. It is well suited for all skin types, especially if the skin is sensitive, red, irritated, or damaged in any way. It is incredibly soothing and penetrates the skin rapidly.
Oat oil is best mixed with other carrier oils (up to 25%) and is unlikely to clog pores.
Olive Oil
Linoleic acid- 5-15%
Oleic acid- 63-80%
Palmitic acid- 7-14%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
I often get asked, "is olive oil comedogenic?" yes and no. Olive oil contains potent anti-oxidants and squalene; a lipid that is also found in our skin cells. This squalene is what makes olive oil well received by most skin types as a nourishing and moisturizing addition to their beauty routine. Using it in your daily regimen has been shown to reduce the signs of aging, smooth skin texture, and hydrate dry skin conditions. It reduces inflammation and brings down redness, making it perfect for acne sufferers who lean more on the drier side.
Palm Kernel Oil
Lauric acid- 48%
Linoleic acid- 2.3%
Oleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
Palm kernel oil has a feel and texture similar to coconut oil. It makes the skin naturally soft and glossy and deeply moisturizes even the driest skin. It is also used to condition cracked heels and dry cuticles with great results. This oil will break out most skin types if used on the face. Suitable for those with very dry skin.
Papaya Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 3%
Oleic acid- 77%
Palmitic acid- 14%
Comedogenic Rating- 2-3
Papaya seed oil is strongly anti-oxidant and is a great oil for improving the skin’s elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, moisturize, and promote the regeneration of the skin. It is also slightly exfoliating and brightening which makes it perfect for those with dry acne prone skin. Papaya seed oil also shrinks pores, evens skin tone, and soothes dry, inflamed skin conditions.
Peach Kernel Oil
Linoleic acid- 15-35%
Oleic acid- 55-75%
Palmitic acid- 5-8%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Peach kernel oil is light and emollient with similar characteristics as apricot kernel oil. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin without feeling greasy and is rich in Vitamin E, making it a perfect addition to homemade skin care recipe. This oil is suitable for those who have very sensitive reactive skin that leans more on the drier side.
Peanut Oil (aka Groundnut Oil)
Linoleic acid- 32%
Oleic acid- 48%
Palmitic acid- 11%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Peanut oil is a gentle and ultra-hydrating oil that helps protect the skin from free radicals and premature aging. Many find it to be a very suitable oil for the OCM as it effectively cleanses and moisturizes clogged acne prone skin. It is also a popular oil for athletes to use for sports injury massage. However, use this oil responsibly as many people have an allergy to peanuts! Suitable for most skin types. Keep in mind that peanut oil goes rancid easily and would be better refrigerated.
Pecan Oil
Linoleic acid- 21%
Oleic acid- 41%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Pecan oil is often used as a carrier oil for essential oils or for dry, chapped skin formulations. It doesn’t have a long shelf life (only about 6 months), so it isn’t an oil that you have to run out and get. Pecan oil does, however, work well as a cleansing oil. Suitable for combination and dry skin types. This oil may leave an oily residue.
Pequi Oil
Palmitic acid - 20-30%
Stearic acid - 2-5%
Oleic acid - 40-60%
Linoleic acid - 15-25%
Comedogenic Rating - 3
Pequi oil is a highly emollient oil that's often used as a soothing treatment for dry, cracked, and damaged skin, especially eczema and other chronically dry skin conditions. Some people have claimed that it works well for healing scars, but I would be wary of using this oil if you have oily skin.
It is also more popular to use this oil for dry frizzy hair.
Perilla Oil (aka Wild Basil Oil)
Palmitic acid - 7%
Stearic acid - 1-3%
Oleic acid - 14-23%
Linoleic acid - 11-16%
Linolenic acid - 54-64%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Perilla oil is considered to be one of the best carrier oils for minimizing the appearance of large pores and reducing sebum production. Because of its natural cleansing abilities, it is considered to be a good oil for the oil cleansing method and protecting the skin from free radical damage. This oil is suitable for all skin types when used as a cleanser, and better for oily skin types when used as a moisturizer.
Pine Nut Oil
Linoleic acid- 49%
Oleic acid- 24%
Pinolenic acid- 17% (only found in pine nuts)
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Pine nut oil is another luxurious oil that might be hard to find. It’s warming qualities are good for those with cold, dry constitutions as it promotes healthy circulation and healing. It is a great remedy for itching, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It revitalizes tired, dehydrated skin and improves tone, texture, and elasticity of the skin. This oil is more for therapeutic use and should be mixed with a carrier oil. Suitable for oilier skin types.
Plum Kernel Oil
Linoleic acid- 24%
Oleic acid- 67%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Plum kernel oil is a well-balanced oil that is highly moisturizing, absorbs quickly, and is light and well tolerated by most skin types. It is especially good for improving the skin’s elasticity and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Pomegranate Oil
Linoleic acid- 10%
Linolenic acid- 0.5%
Oleic acid-5%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Pomegranate seed oil consists mostly of omega-5 (punicic acid) making it incredibly nourishing for the skin. It helps encourage new cell regeneration and helps reduce the signs of aging. It is also one of the few plant sources for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
Poppy Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 58.5%
Oleic acid- 28.3%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Poppy seed oil is a light oil that absorbs slowly and can leave an oily residue on the skin. It has similar characteristics to hemp seed oil, making it suitable for most skin types, especially those with very oily skin, as it helps balance sebum production.
Prickly Pear Seed Oil (aka Barbary Fig Oil)
Palmitic acid - 12%
Stearic acid - 4%
Oleic acid - 22%
Linoleic acid - 60%
Comedogenic Rating - 1-2
Prickly pear seed oil it an amazing oil for those wanting to shrink pores and tighten the skin. It's highly emollient and highly moisturizing and leaves the skin feeling soft and velvety. using prickly pear seed oil over time can help restore elasticity and slow the signs of aging. It's brightening, anti-inflammatory, and highly nourishing.
Suitable for oilier skin types, but will work well for normal, combo, and dry skin as well but may not be as moisturizing.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Linoleic acid-47%
Linolenic acid-0.2%
Oleic acid-36.3%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Pumpkin seed oil fights acne from the inside out due to its rich zinc and selenium content, but it’s also gaining popularity topically. It hydrates, renews, and increases the firmness of skin while fighting acne causing bacteria and preventing scars. Suitable for most skin types and has a low chance of clogging pores.
Red Palm Oil
Linoleic acid- 14%
Linolenic acid- 0.3%
Oleic acid- 49% (if you get the high-oleic version)
Palmitic acid- 32%
Comedogenic Rating- 4
Red palm oil has been used to heal and fade old scars, stretch marks, and to deeply moisturize the skin. It does, however, have an orange color that can transfer to clothing and other surfaces as well as a pungent odor. This oil will most likely break you out if used on the face but is generally well tolerated on the body.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 52%
Linolenic acid- 22%
Oleic acid- 11.7%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Raspberry seed oil is one of my favorite oils to use! Not only does it have a low chance of clogging your pores, but it also protects your skin from the sun with a natural SPF of 28! The sun is the leading cause of accelerated aging which makes this oil perfect for those who spend time outdoors. It absorbs well, has a high anti-oxidant content, and moisturizes the skin.
Rice Bran Oil
Linoleic acid- 34%
Oleic acid- 38%
Palmitic acid- 21.5%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Rice bran oil is a mild oil that is perfect for sensitive, mature, or delicate skin and has one of the best sources of tocotrienols. It also has some impressive UV hindering properties that help protect your skin from the sun and if often added to sun care products. It is a well-balanced oil that is generally well tolerated by most skin types, especially combination skin.
Rosehip Oil
Linoleic acid- 44%
Oleic acid- 14%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Rosehip seed oil is one of my favorite oils to use for cleansing and moisturizing acne prone skin. It’s amazing for reversing hyperpigmentation, the signs of aging, sun damage, stretch marks, and scars. Its high anti-oxidant content improves texture and revitalizes the skin. Suitable for oily skin types.
Sacha Inchi Oil
Linoleic acid- 33%
Linolenic acid- 54%
Oleic acid- 7%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
Sacha inchi oil is high in anti-oxidants making it a regenerative and rejuvenating oil for oily problematic skin. It reduces redness, irritation, and inflammation while strengthening and moisturizing the skin. It is also great for acne that has been picked and needs to heal.
Safflower Oil
Linoleic acid- 70-80%
Oleic acid- 10-20%
Comedogenic Rating- 0 (high linoleic only)
Safflower oil has a silky feel on the skin and is highly moisturizing. Its high linoleic acid content makes it a perfect oil for the OCM as it will help break up blackheads and other impurities in the skin. It absorbs easily and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.
Sandalwood Seed Oil (aka Sandalwood Nut Oil)
Linoleic acid- 2%
Oleic acid- 50-53%
Ximenynic acid- 28-35%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Sandalwood seed oil contains potent levels of ximenynic acid, one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory agents found in nature. When applied, it soothes joint pain, bruises, wounds, cuts, burns, sores, cystic acne, and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. This oil is best used mixed with another carrier oil as a therapeutic treatment for problem skin.
Sapote Oil (aka Mamey Oil/South American Apricot Seed Oil)
Palmitic acid - 9%
Stearic acid - 23%
Oleic acid - 50%
Linoleic acid - 10%
Comedogenic Rating - 2-3
Sapote oil is a semi-solid rejuvenating oil that heals the skin and protects it from exposure to dry, cold weather conditions. It's highly moisturizing and works well for dryer skin types and it most suitable for those dealing with any form of dermatitis.
Traditionally, this oil is used for hair loss but can be used for the skin to protect it from dryness. May clog pores.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Linoleic acid- 7%
Oleic acid- 29%
Palmitic acid- 31%
Palmitoleic acid- 30%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Sea buckthorn oil is an oil that deeply penetrates the skin’s lipid layer, diminishing imbalances from the inside out. It reduces redness, inflammation, water loss, and premature signs of aging. It regenerates cells and increases healthy skin structure. Sea buckthorn oil is also a natural protectant against the sun. Suitable for most skin types, especially those on the drier side.
Sesame Oil
Linoleic acid- 46%
Oleic acid- 39%
Stearic acid- 4%
Comedogenic Rating- 3
Sesame oil is another oil that has potent anti-bacterial properties that good for wound healing and killing acne causing bacteria. It is also a fair sun protectant. It’s overall, a pretty balanced oil, but the stearic acid causes it to be a bit comedogenic for a lot of people. It may leave an oily residue on the skin.
Shea Butter
Linoleic acid- 3-8%
Oleic acid- 40-55%
Stearic acid- 35-45%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-2
Shea butter is really interesting because even though it has a high stearic acid content, it doesn’t seem to break people out. Sure, there ARE people who react badly to using it, but overall, many find that shea butter is an amazing oil to use during the cold, dry winter months. It’s heavy and leaves a greasy feel on the skin after applying, so you only need the tiniest bit. It forms a protective layer on the skin that reduces inflammation and smooths rough skin. It is especially good for elbows, knees, and heels.
Shea Nut Oil
Linoleic acid- 9-14%
Oleic acid- 57-73%
Stearic acid- 9-27%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-2
This is another strange oil that doesn’t seem to clog too many people’s pores even though it really seems like it should! Shea nut oil is viscous and creates a barrier on the skin when applied that protects the skin from dryness and scaring. It helps prevent water loss and heals chapped damaged skin. Suitable for very dry skin.
Soybean Oil
Linoleic acid- 50%
Linolenic acid- 7%
Oleic acid- 24%
Comedogenic Rating- 4-5
Soybean oil is a high comedogenic oil that most people can’t tolerate. But for those who can, it’s a good oil for sun protection and its anti-oxidant properties. It improves skin tone and in very few individuals, can actually help clear their acne, but that may be due to its phytoestrogen content. Generally not a good oil to use for acne prone skin.
Squalane
High in Omega-2
Comedogenic Rating - 0-1
Squalane is the hydrogenated form of squaLENE and is derived from either shark liver or from vegan sources like olives. The natural sebum in our skin is comprised of squalane, wax, and other oils. As we age, squalane diminishes, which is what causes our skin to get dry and more susceptible to oxidative damage.
Squalane has a non-greasy, very spreadable consistency that soaks into the skin very quickly - it's probably one of the best transdermal oils other than emu oil which makes it perfect for pairing with other healing ingredients like essential oils.
It restores suppleness to the skin and is one of the best oils for repairing a damaged barrier and dehydrated skin.
Suitable for all skin types and will not clog pores.
Squalene
High in Omega-2
Comedogenic Rating - 0
Squalene is the UN-hydrogenated version of squaLANE and is also derived from either shark liver or plant sources like olives. Some carrier oils like amaranth seed, rice bran, wheat germ, and olive oil all naturally contain squalene.
About 10% of human skin lipids are made up of squalene, so it's no wonder that squalene plays a crucial role in the moisture regulation of the skin.
Suitable for all skin types. Will not clog pores. Squalene is hard to find since it is not very shelf stable, which is why squalane is available. If you want actual squalene, perhaps consider using olive oil or amaranth seed oil in your skin care regimen.
Strawberry Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 35-50%
Linolenic acid- 30-38%
Oleic acid- 12-18%
Comedogenic Rating- 1
Strawberry seed oil is a wonderful addition to any homemade skin care product or just used straight on the skin because of its amazing moisturizing benefits. It’s great for acne prone skin, damaged skin, and maturing or sensitive skin types. It soothes, hydrates, and protects the skin while regenerating its elasticity. This oil is well suited for oily acne prone skin types.
Sunflower Seed Oil (beware of Hi-oleic acid sunflower oil as it will clog pores)
Linoleic acid- 59%
Linolenic acid- 0.5%
Oleic acid- 30%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-2
This is a great oil to start out with if you’re unsure about where to begin. Most skin types respond well to sunflower oil as it helps keep your skin balanced and moisturized while fighting acne causing bacteria. It’s also great for fighting the signs of aging!
Sweet Almond Oil
Linoleic acid- 20-30%
Linolenic acid- 0.4%
Oleic acid- 62-86%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Sweet almond oil is a great oil to use for dry acne prone skin due to its emollient properties. It’s great for regenerating skin cells because it penetrates damaged cells and softens them, allowing for better hydration. Sweet almond oil is suitable for sensitive skin types that are dry and irritated.
Tallow
Linoleic acid- 3%
Linolenic acid- 1%
Oleic acid- 47%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Tallow comes from rendered suet and is a uniquely compatible oil with our skin cells that many people have found it to be the best thing since sliced bread. If you have drier skin, then this may be worth a try! It’s very thick and may leave an oily feeling on the face, but if you have very dry skin, then this might just be what your skin needs for a few days to rebalance and restore itself. For acne sufferers, it may be useful to add a few essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or helichrysum. For the OCM, I suggest adding a little bit of castor oil to help with cell turnover.
Tamanu Oil
Linoleic acid- 29-38%
Oleic acid- 34-41%
Stearic acid- 13%
Palmitic acid- 12%
Comedogenic Rating- 2
Tamanu oil is, hands down, the best oil for healing acne scars and fading old acne scars. It has a thick consistency and is, therefore, better used as a spot treatment for problem areas rather than all over the face. It had a pungent odor reminiscent of bullion cubes, but don’t let that scare you away! It has single-handedly reduced my acne scars more than anything else.
Tomato Seed Oil
Linoleic acid- 49%
Linolenic acid- 2%
Oleic acid- 21%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-2
Tomato seed oil is an excellent source of carotenoid and Vitamin E anti-oxidants that protect the skin from free radicals and is especially esteemed for its viscosity, moisturizing, and skin absorptive properties. Tomato seed oil also protects the skin against chronic and acute photo-damage from the sun. It’s rich in minerals, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin making it popular for cardiovascular health when taken internally, but these nutrients also go to work on the skin’s surface by increasing the production of elastin and preventing collagen degradation. This oil is best used as a spot treatment for acne, wrinkles, and other areas of concern. Suitable for most skin types.
Walnut Oil
Linoleic acid- 51%
Linolenic acid- 10%
Oleic acid- 30%
Comedogenic Rating- 1-2
Walnut oil fights dry, aging, sagging skin with its emollient and anti-oxidative properties. It also contains strong anti-bacterial properties that help kill acne causing bacteria and fungal infections. It brings down redness and inflammation while regenerating tired skin cells. The raw, unrefined oil is light and is suitable for most skin types.
Watermelon Seed Oil (aka Kalahari oil or Ootanga oil)
Linoleic acid- 63%
Oleic acid- 15%
Comedogenic Rating- 0-1
A wonderful oil for oily acne prone skin, watermelon seed oil absorbs quickly without a greasy feel. It dissolves sebum, making it a great oil for getting rid of blackheads and other impurities in the skin. It restores elasticity in dry, acne-prone, and maturing skin types as well. Watermelon seed oil does not clog the pores making it well tolerated by most skin types. Goes well with cucumber oil mixed in hemp seed oil for use in the OCM and as a moisturizer.
Wheat Germ Oil
Linoleic acid- 7%
Linolenic acid- 55%
Oleic acid- 14%
Comedogenic Rating- 5
Very few people can tolerate the use of wheat germ oil as it is an almost guaranteed breakout when applied topically. It’s sad because it has some of the best scar reducing and healing properties of any oil due to its very high Vitamin E content. However, such high levels are what give it its comedogenic rating. Use this oil at your own risk!
Fatty Acids and Their Role in Non Comedogenic Oils
After scrolling through this list of oils, you may still feel stumped about WHY they have the ratings that they do.
I know it can feel confusing and overwhelming to try and sift through everything!
Essentially, oils (both plant and animal) are made up primarily of essential fatty acids. In the skincare industry, the two fatty acids that most people care about are linoleic acid and oleic acid since the ratio of these often determine how comedogenic or non comedogenic an oil is for different skin types.
Generally, the higher the linoleic acid content is, the less comedogenic it is. The higher the oleic acid content is (at least for oily skin types) the more comedogenic it is.
Oils that contain the most linoleic acid include:
- jojoba oil
- meadowfoam oil
- evening primrose oil
- grapeseed oil
- raspberry seed oil
- black cumin seed oil
These oils are most suitable for normal to oily skin types and are known to be soothing, fast-absorbing, and barrier protective oils that balance sebum production.
Oils that contain high amounts of oleic acid include:
- sweet almond oil
- apricot kernel oil
- avocado oil
- hazelnut oil
- macadamia nut oil
These oils are most suitable for dry and sensitive skin types by protecting the skin's outermost barrier, sealing in moisture, and healing inflamed and irritated skin.
But that isn't all! There are more fatty acids that play a role in many of the oils you can buy.
What do fatty acids do for the skin?
- ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) - an omega-3 fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 3-4. Found in high quantities in flaxseed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and soybean oil. Helps protect the outer most barrier of the skin if your skin can tolerate it.
- Arachidic Acid - a saturated fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 1. Extremely moisturizing and protective for the skin. Found in capuacu butter, perilla oil, peanut oil, and cocoa butter.
- Behenic Acid - has a comedogenic rating of 0-2. Very protective, moisturizing, and restorative for the skin.
- Capric Acid (aka Decanoic acid) - a saturated fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 2. Known to be antibacterial and anti-inflammatory for the skin. Found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
- Caprylic Acid (aka Octanoic acid) - a saturated fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 2. It exhibits strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-infection properties. Found in coconut oil.
- Eicosenoic Acid - an omega-9 fatty acid. Has a comedogenic rating of 2. Enhances the absorption of other skincare ingredients, is very soothing for the skin, and very emollient in nature. Found in jojoba oil and meadowfoam oil.
- Erucic Acid - an omega-9 fatty acid. Has an unknown comedogenic rating. Known for its exceptional "slip" and smooth feel on the skin. Found in Abyssinian oil, broccoli seed oil, radish seed oil, jojoba oil, and meadowfoam oil.
- GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid) - an omega-6 fatty acid. Unknown comedogenic rating. Very restorative for the skin, reduces inflammation and helps restore the skin's protective barrier. Found in borage oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, and hemp oil.
- Lauric Acid - comprises about half the fatty acid content of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. has a comedogenic rating of 3-4. Has antibacterial properties which is why some people with acneic skin tolerate it well.
- Myristic Acid - a saturated fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 3. Known to be cleansing for the skin. Found in coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil.
- Palmitic Acid - has a comedogenic rating of 2. Has barrier restorative properties, moisturizing, emollient, and soothing for dry irritated skin. Found in macadamia nut oil, brazil nut oil, neem oil, rice bran oil, baobab oil, peanut oil, palm kernel oil, sea buckthorn oil and mowrah butter.
- Palmitoleic Acid - an omega-7 fatty acid. Has an unknown comedogenic rating. Known to be rejuvenating, restorative, healing, and anti-aging for the skin. COmmonly found in macadamia nut oil and sea buckthorn oil.
- Punicic Acid - an omega-5 fatty acid. Has a comedogenic rating of 0-1. Has potent anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Makes up 65% of pomegranate seed oil.
- Ricinoleic Acid - an omega-9 fatty acid. Has a comedogenic rating of 1. Makes up 90% of castor oil. Highly anti-bacterial and cleansing for the skin.
- Stearic Acid - a saturated fatty acid with a comedogenic rating of 2. Suitable for dryer skin types due to its excellent hydrating properties but can clog pores if used on oily or acne prone skin. Found in cocoa butter, coconut oil, mango butter, mowrah butter, shea butter, neem oil, and tamanu oil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non Comedogenic Oils
Which oils are non comedogenic?
The most non comedogenic oils are argan oil, hemp seed oil, meadowfoam oil, and jojoba oil.
What oils are non comedogenic?
Oils that have high linoleic acid content like hemp seed oil, argan oil, and meadowfoam oil are the most non comedogenic oils.
How can you tell if oil is non-comedogenic?
A non comedogenic oil will have a light, almost dry consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. If the oil is heavy feeling and greasy and does not sink into the skin quickly, chances are it has a higher comedogenic rating.
Is olive oil non-comedogenic oils?
No, olive oil is considered comedogenic because it contains high levels of oleic acid. Even though its rating is a 2 (the same as jojoba oil which is NOT considered comedogenic due to its high linoleic acid content), it is more likely to clog pores, though less likely than most other heavier oils.
Does olive oil cause acne?
Olive oil can definitely contribute to acne if it is the wrong oil for your skin type. opt instead for an oil with high linoleic acid like argan oil or hemp seed oil.
Which oil is best for acne prone skin?
The best oil for acne prone skin is hemp seed oil. This is because it has a comedogenic rating of zero and does not clog pores.
Will jojoba oil clog pores?
For most people, jojoba oil will not clog pores as long as you use a light layer. An easy way to keep yourself from using too much oil is to first wet the skin with rose water and then apply 2-3 drops of jojoba oil to the entire face. It's all you need.
Is coconut oil non comedogenic?
Coconut oil is comedogenic for most people due to its high oleic acid content and greasy consistency.
What are the best non comedogenic oils for face?
For most people, the best non comedogenic oils are ones with high linoleic acid content like hemp seed oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil.
If you have more to add to the complete list of non comedogenic oils, don't forget to comment below! 🙂
Be sure not to miss these articles:
Can You Remove Blackheads Using Floss?
The Oil Cleansing Method
How to Do The Enhanced Oil Cleansing Method
Clear Your Skin Naturally With These 6 Tips
12 Ways to Treat Acne Inside and Out
The Best Essential Oils for Your Skin Type
The Shelf Life of Carrier Oils
Maegan Muckleroy says
Thank you. I used your list when shopping for a face oil. Im vacationing in the Dominican Republic. While the local store here has plenty of face oils to choose from, they all contain coconut oil! I got a mixture of (order of ingredients): argan oil, babassu oil, Kukui oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin e. I’m wondering if the oil mixture overall can be considered maybe a 2, more or less? Or should I just consider it a 4 since the ingredient with the highest rating is coconut at 4?
Brian says
These are very great pieces of information. Thank you, Tash I notice the word change would be written chance in the pumpkin seed oil information.
Brian says
These are very great pieces of information. Thank you, Tash
Sarah says
For some reason, I'm not allergic to raspberries however, when I used the red raspberry seed oil it irritates my whole face and makes my eyes watery. My face becomes really red and I have to use hemp seed oil to calm it down.
Agne Patricija says
How about burdock oil?
Chris says
I loved your article... appreciate the invaluable information! The only oil I noticed not on the list is Vit E oil? Do you know if Vit E oil is comedogenic?
Thank you!
Sophia says
Also- how about wax? Beeswax, Candellila Wax, Laurel wax? Cera Bellina?
Sophia says
hi! i love your list and i refer to it all the time! i'm wondering about cupuacu butter, as i don't see it listed. i've seen elsewhere that its rated as a 4, but a seller on Etsy told me its acne safe. i'd like to know for sure though.
thank you!
Adelaide says
Hello,
I am curious is it possible to use Tamanu Oil all over my body? I have a lot of hyperpigmentation due to acne, mosquito bites (i scratch them ik) and some burns, this is in several spots on my body, legs and arms which in some areas there is a lot of them so I wondered if I could use it for entire body to simplify the process since insome cases to be a spot treatment i have to bend a bit to see the spot.
Galit Kadashev says
Hi Tash! Could you please tell about Azulene oil? What is it good and bad for?
Kimberly says
Hi Tash,
You have inspired me to think more about what treatments I use on my skin. I use your website often. My concern is the sensitive skin in the eye area. I have tried jojoba, argan, raspberry oil and aloe and something was a little too irritating for the area. I'm wondering if there are oils or treatments that would be helpful.
Thanks!
Susan Waters says
Thank you Tash for sharing this wonderful post. I have developed contact allergies and make my own skin care products. This post opened my eyes to so many possibilities. The time and effort that you put into your research is much appreciated.
Anita Taco says
This is so helpful! After having my gallbladder out, my skin is 100x more sensitive than it already was! So I've gone to only things I would eat as well. I am devestated that my face hates hempseed oil! I can use it all over everywhere else though, but the seemingly never ending acne on my nose and the sides gets so much worse after only a week of hempseed oil, yet avocado is just fine! It really drives the point home of everyone being different! Grapes ed oil works well for me too. I saw someone talking about fungal acne, which I wasn't aware of on the face, but I use get yeast issues in the underboob area. I live in Tucson, Arizona and the heat and sweating was just a terrible combination with even worse results! I started using my unrefined, coldpressed coconut oil after every single shower in the area & the painful (!) yeast rash hasn't returned in over 2 years. It use to be an every summer thing. I know it can clog pores, but it never does there for me, but I don't use it on my face. The doctor also said to ditch bras completely, if you can believe it, because they compound the issue and can cause the yeast to keep reocurring. I ditched my bra at 16 though, and after the new long term study out of France, I'm glad I was ahead of the science for once! (Half the study wore bras, half didn't, and they measured nipple height every few years over something like 15 years, and the braless gals kept getting higher and the bra girls got lower. Bras keep the muscle underneath from fully developing and keeping them up, & perky. From what I remember reading)
Anyway, coconut oil is an amazing antifungal, I've even used it to rid below the belt yeast infections. I cannot be without it, it's just so useful! From being a chelating agent and SOOO useful before bleaching hair, to all the antifungal and skin benefits.
I'm in love with all these oils now, I'd like to try some new ones and your list will be a great help!
MC says
Hi, firstly I just want to say that this is an amazing list. It has been so helpful.
My question is, does it make a difference if the oils I use are refined/unrefined/virgin?
Thanks for your help.
MC says
Hi ? I was wondering if there are any oils you would recommend for moisturising the body and helping to diminish stretch marks and scars? Thanks for your help. ?
Han says
Hi Tash,
Honestly LOVE this post as my skin clogs soo easily.
I just woke up after using Rosehip seed oil and I have 3 new spots... 🙁
Pls can you tell me which brand of Hemp Seed oil do you buy as you say it’s your favourite & non pore clogging!
Xxxx
Tash says
I usually use nutiva 🙂 best of luck! Skincare is such a journey!
Mansien says
Hi! I am not sure if this is the best way to contact you, I suffer from acne and it leaves dark marks all over my face.
I'm thinking of doing an oil with hempseed oil and possibly either a tea tree or lavender to combat the acne, which one would you recommend is better?
I think my face is also quite sensitive due to many years of proactiv which screwed it up around 5 years ago...
Tash says
Hi Mansien!
I prefer tea tree for treating acne related skin complaints 🙂
Liane says
I come back to this list all the time. It's so helpful! I love your blog/website, Tash. It's so informative and really the best I've found on the topic of natural DIY skincare. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Tash says
Thank you Liane 🙂 Glad to have you!
Lorina Romano says
Hi Tash,
Great post, very informative! I am doing a lot of research right now on the fatty acid composition of carrier oils I use when creating my products. I read in one of your replys a mention of a "excel spreadsheet". Would you happen to have one and would you be willing to share it with me? It would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in your posts! I will continue to visit often.
Pam says
Hi Tash! Where can someone purchase the cupuacu butter? Also, which is best: the unrefined, raw or cold pressed? Does it smell like coco butter?
Lisa says
Thanks for this very helpful and extensive list.
What about kokum butter and canola oil?
Nguyen says
Argan vs tamanu?
Tash says
Argan oil is less comedogenic than tamanu. However, tamanu oil is mainly used for the treatment of scars and scar prevention so you wouldn't normally apply it to the entire face. Argan oil is a great oil to use for most skin types.
Beth says
Hello,
the information that you share is very helpful. I was just wondering if you are a certified Holistic Herbalist?
Andrzej S. says
Hi,
Firstly, I'd like to thank you for this long and detailed list! And I'd like to apologise, because my comment will be long 😛 I hope you'll read it and could advice me. Thank you! 🙂
I'm a DIY guy and I like experimenting with different creams and oils.
Lastly, my oils oxidized (candle smell) and of oils that are still "fresh" is MCT oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride) and last drops of my holy grail - Squalane.
So I made a small batch (5ml):
6% MCT oil
6% Squalane
5% Urea
1% D-Panthenol
1-2% Sodium Polyacrylate
Is it possible that after 3-4 days oil that my skin doesn't like could clog my pores? I read that comedogenic effect of oils usually is noticeable after a couple of WEEKS, not days.
I'm starting to wonder, if maybe I'm coconut sensitive since this MCT oil is fractionated from coconut? I hate cleansers with Cocamidopropyl Betaine. But I'm, I think, ok with simple cleanser with 4% Coco-Glucoside (but it's derived from palms, not the coconut, if the info on the website is correct [INCI: Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside]).
Or penetration enhancers make other oils comedogenic? I have Squalane (which alone is ok) and Urea in my formulation which are penetration enhancers.
It's very hard to make my skin pleased. It's oily on "T" section and dry from under my nose to my jaw. Acne prone. Sensitive, allergic. I had seborrheic dermatitis (yellow flaky skin on my nose, between the eyebrows and near hairline) a few years ago, so lastly, I'm afraid of fungal acne very much, so I've been using only squalane in my creams since 1 year, which is FA safe.
But it's very expensive and I'd like to test some "normal" oils like argan or something, which are not FA safe, but maybe I'll be ok. My face doesn't itch, so probably I'm cured and non-safe oils won't harm me? Too bad that dermatologists don't know how to diagnose and cure fungal acne.
Oh, I have shea butter, which you and many websites consider it to be completely non-comedogenic. BUT, I have Nulatica one, not the classic one (INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii var. Nilotica) - do you think it could have some magic non-comedogenic properties like the classic one? It's more brown/orange, easier to melt and apply (I think because of less Stearic Acid maybe?) without any granules in it.
Cheers from Poland,
Andrzej
Tash says
Hi Andrzej!
I wonder if you can get your Squalane from a brand called The Ordinary. It's high quality and also VERY decently priced. I would recommend looking into it 🙂
As for the Nolitica shea butter, I know that it contains quite a bit more essential fatty acids than classic shea butter. It does have more oleic acid so it may be a bit more suitable for dryer skin but doesn't seem to clog pores. Have you been using it long? I know that your skin CAN react pretty quickly to things and get clogged if what you're using isn't what it likes.
Andrzej S. says
Thx for the answer!
I can get it, but it's even more expensive 😀 Well, I think I just have to accept the price. TO Squalane 30ml - 30PLN ($7,89) vs Squalane 30ml from DIY shops 15PLN ($3,94). But you know, it's still expensive compared to f.e. cold pressed unrefined Hemp Seed Oil 100ml for 9,81PLN ($2,58) 😛 That's why I want to experiment with other oils as I think I have no longer Malassezia overgrowth.
How long have I been using what exactly - this cream with MCT oil? Only 4 days, I stopped to use it already, because this breakout freaked me.
I used Shea Butter once (after breakout) and I think I'm allergic to it, because I felt little itchiness :/
So, you think that my skin can react very quickly (a few days) to oils that it doesn't like and I don't have to wait 3-4 weeks?
Natalie says
I really like that you are putting this info out there. However the excel spreadsheet is not the best way to show this data. Try a timeline form so that people can intrepet the data a bit easier instead of looking at bare empty spreadsheet columns so that people can make comparisons.
Amanda Clarke says
Brilliant list! But I couldn't find Kokum butter. How does it rate?
Tash says
Hi, Amanda!
Kokum butter has a comedogenic rating of zero! 🙂
Dolly says
I'm having a hard time finding Goji Seed Oil. Do you know where I can get it?
(Excellent info by the way!!!)
Tash says
Hi Dolly!
The only place I have seen it is here but I'm not sure of the quality.
Jenny Le says
Hi, I love this article so much so I have to save it to check before buying any kind of oil. Please help me I think about DIY tea tree oil with Argan or Hemp oil to treat my back acne. And I have a lot of hyperpigmentation from the acne too. Please let me know what kind of oil to mix with tea tree oil is the best. Very appreciate your input. Jenny
Tash says
I think the oils you mentioned are really good ones! You can use up to 6 drops of tea tree oil per 1 oz of hemp/jojoba oil. I wouldn't go higher than 12 drops per 1 oz. If your skin isn't exposed to the sun, you could even use lemon essential oil to help with the hyperpigmentation. If you do, I recommend using it at night. If you want to use the tea tree and lemon together, just add 6 drops of each to 1 oz of carrier oil.
Ally says
Tash,
Your post has been my main reference. Thank you so much for publishing this! I have sensitive ginger skin and had been removing my eye makeup with coconut oil, which clogged my pores. Because of this list, I've started using Argan Oil. I'm also switching to natural moisturizers little by little.
So many thanks for all the time you spent!
Tash says
Thanks, Ally! I hope the argan oil works out for you 🙂
Tamara says
Hi. Great job, very usefull and complete guide! First time here, but joining the tribe. Thank you.
Tash says
Glad to have you, Tamara! 😀
Arianne says
And can you please add myrrh to the blend too?
Arianne says
Hi again!can I request for a recipe for hemp seeds oil,sunflower oil frankincense,helichrysum and myrrh for oily sensitive oily acne prone skin?I just tried sunflower oil and it made wondeds to my skin.thanks!
Arianne says
Hi again tash!
Can you give me a good recipe and measurements for employment seed oil,sunflower oil,helichrysum and frankincense for facial oil?it seems that my skin is responding well to these ingredients.
thanks
Varis says
Hi Tash,
I'm wondering if you have any advice on freezing oils? For example, if I use a small amount of hemp oil in my creams, is it ok to freeze the 250ml bottle for years? (I know it goes rancid very quickly, so I only unfreeze it when I need to add more.)
Are there any oils which are NOT OK to freeze? Maybe due to separation of compounds, or something?
It's probably a dumb question, sorry...
^-^'
Just making sure that I can store all these weird oils before I purchase them.
Tash says
YNot a dumb question at all, you can definitely freeze them! As far as I know, you can freeze pretty much any carrier oil. 🙂
Dyah says
Is Kiwi seed oil safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Tash says
As long as you are sourcing it from a reputable distributor (no synthetic fragrances added, etc.), then yes! Kiwi seed oil is safe to use.
Kay says
Hi Tash,
Thanks for this list. The info is great. I was wondering what you would recommend for eczema on a babys face? I've tried coconut, jojoba, and grapeseed oils. Just looking for something to reduce redness and itching while moisturizing sensitive skin. I was thinking hemp oil.
Tash says
Hi Kay!
Eczema is largely an internal problem. If you are still breastfeeding, your milk may contain something that your baby is reacting to from your diet. Otherwise, if they are eating on their own, it could be certain foods that they themselves are eating. You can read more over at my friend's blog Holistic Squid 🙂 Anywho! as for soothing the baby's skin, hemp seed oil is very gentle. However, I think a cream would be even better as it contains more soothing moisture than oil alone can provide. One brand that comes to mind from my Whole Foods working days is Babo.They make a Miracle Moisturizing Baby Cream that is formulated for treating eczema 🙂 You can find it on Amazon if the hemp seed oil doesn't work out.
Russ says
Do you know if the Sea Buckthorn shown in your list is from the seed or the fruit (berry)? I have tried both and was just curious if there is a difference since the oil does feel different between the two. I personally prefer the fruit / berry oil.
Roy says
What about Helichrysum oil?
Tash says
It's a zero! 🙂
Teresa says
This is an AMAZING resource! Thank you so much for putting this together!!
Tash says
You're very welcome, Teresa! 🙂
Lee says
Hi Tash,
It is such a shame that I only found out about your blog recently. I wish I knew about earlier. Such a helpful piece of research.
I also want to share my experience and I hope those who are struggling like me can read. I have sensitive (very sentitive) acne prone skin. My skin is so sensitive to the point that it cannot handle products that contain a lot of chemicals. Now I have to switch to products with active ingredients. I have also engraved oils into my skincare routine for nearly a year. I reached out to rosehip seed oil. Despite a lot of praise it receives, this oil gave me break outs and horrible cystic acne on the chin and forehead. It also made my skin look super dull and flaky. I then tried jojoba oil and borage oil which lighten up my situation a little bit, but it cannot help the mess that rosehip oil left with me face. So up to that point I have tried 3 types of oil (rosehip, borage, jojoba) and only jojoba really worked (but only to some extend). Note that I gave each oil more than 1 month to test so I can see if it actually did something to my face.
My skin looked really horrible around that time and I was desperated. I basically had nothing to lose so I went to the pharmacy to search for something else. I desperately bought Chia Seed oil from an organic skincare brand and magically all the acne went away and my face stays clear from then on.
I think up to this point I have realised that the important is that you understand your skin and what it needs. Even if your skin is classified as 'acne prone' or oily, that doesn't mean you have to use facial oil with high percentage of linoleic acid. I thought my skin needed 40% of linoleic acid but it turns out asking for only 18% of so and a balanced level of oleic acid (5-7%). I guess this is why chia seed oil and jojoba give me the best results even though these two have the comedogenic rating of 2. Thanks Tash for the great work. Now I have the explanation for all the products I'm using.
I hope you all success with your skincare methods.
Tash says
So happy you found what works best for your skin, Lee! It's definitely a journey that everyone has to make on their own because everyone's skin really IS different and needs different things. Some people do really well using coconut oil while others can't use it at all without breaking out horribly. It's all about finding your skin's perfect mix.
Nora says
So so helpful, thank you!! Xx
lyd says
Thank you so much for this list!
Quick question- I’m going to start oil cleansing for my acne. I really want to finally heal it since I feel I have tried just about everything. I’m considering using a combination of/or one oil by itself but don’t know which would work best. I’m considering rosehip, grapeseed, safflower, and/or sweet almond oil. Do you have any ideas or recommendations?
Tash says
Hi Lyd!
It's all about trial and error! Your skin will tell what it likes and what it doesn't like.bThe oils you mentioned sound good to me! Hemp oil is also a very good and well tolerated oil 🙂
Sara M says
Do you have a list of astringent oils vs emollient oils? Or is that something that is easily figured out?
Nadia says
Hi Tash,
First of all thank you for this very helpful article! During the years I've tried many many oils but still struggle to find THE one. Every oil I tried gave me breaks out, even jojoba and hemp oil. I'm a little bit desperate.
My T-zone is oily (forehead + nose, but my chin is okay) and most of my break outs occur in this area. But my cheeks and jaw are dry. My skin feels rough everywhere, and is flaky and sensitive. I drink a lot of water but I think my skin is still dehydrated... After reading your article, I'm probably going to try argan oil, watermelon, or rosehip.
But... It possible that my skin just doesn't like oils at all ? Or is it because my outer most barrier is really damaged ? You said that even the least comedogenic oil can cause trouble in this case.
Thank you very much!
Tash says
Hi Nadia!
Do you ever use exfoliants or acids on your skin? Do you ever exfoliate your skin in general? Do you use hot water on your skin? I have found over the years that oils themselves are not always enough when it comes to keeping the skin hydrated. You may need to incorporate more water-based formulas like a gentle moisturizer. I will typically spritz my face with rose water, apply a drop or two of oil, then top it off with a face moisturizer. It seems to help 🙂 Your skin may be losing more water than it is holding in, so it's worth a try!
The oily part of your skin should calm a little bit when you find what works best for it hydration-wise. otherwise, oily skin is also a hormonal issue so it may be worth getting your hormones tested at some point to see if there is anything out of balance.
Hadassa says
Which moisturizer would you reccomend for oily skin?
Tash says
I use a very small dab of Skin Food by Weleda. I have oily skin and it works well during the winter. Keep in mind that my skin is dehydrated yet oily. Otherwise, go for a cream with a short list of natural ingredients.
Larry says
Thank you for the hard work in putting this list together. I am a newbie into holistic medicine and love anything I can get to learn as much as I can.
Tash says
Thanks, Larry! 🙂
Claire says
Do you have details on canola oil?
Tash says
Hi Claire!
Canola oil has a comedogenic rating of 3.
Anh says
Hi Tash,
My skin is combination skin and i'm breaking out. I used red raspberry oil for my acne skin. But, i don't know why it's break out more than before only 3 days. I use 1-2 drops for all face.
Can you help me?
Tash says
Hi Anh!
You could be allergic to it 🙁 If the issue persists, I would stop using it and perhaps try a different oil like hemp or jojoba.
Nujhat Mayesha says
Hi. Thanks for for the information. I have really oily skin too, but I live in Minnesota and I feel like my normal moisturizer isn't enough. I'm thinking about using hemp seed oil and since you mentioned you used it, I was wondering where you got yours from and the brand. I'm thinking of buying this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Extra-Virgin-Unrefined-Grade/dp/B00Q8RK3DS
Thank you again and I hope I'm not bothering you.
Tash says
Hi Nujhat!
I get mine by the brand Manitoba Harvest 🙂 The one you linked looks fine too!
Carole says
So glad to see you included emu oil in your list, as it is wonderful for both dry skin and acne-prone skin, yet many people have never heard of it. Makes a superior carrier oil as it is able to penetrate through all 7 layers of the skin, so brings the other oils with it. Several readers asked about an oil for scars, and you can see how well emu oil worked on a burn scar here: https://emujoy.com/pages/how-to-heal-burn-scars That's my arm in the before/after photos.
pepita says
hi tash,what about linolenic acid? it is comedigenic? how much?
thank you,greetings from chile.
Tash says
Hi Pepita!
Linoleic acid is just an essential fatty acid that is found in many carrier oils. It is less comedogenic than oleic acid so if you have acne prone skin that ranges from oily to normal, an oil with higher amounts of linoleic acid is recommended.
Cosmo Lab says
Thank you for all these regardful work
Daniel says
Hi Dear Tash,
do you know what is the rating for Saffron oil? I thought it is the same with safflower oil until i came across that it is actually different. Really hope you could lend a hand here. Thanks
Tash says
Hi Daniel!
if you are referring to saffron essential oil, it has a rating of zero 🙂 I could not find anything about an actual saffron oil.
Reddhi says
This article was just the thing I was searching for.You did a great job.Thanks a lot dear.I read the whole list.I am currently using grapeseed oil,neem oil for oil cleansing.I have adult acne.I think I must try out Argan oil.Can you give suggestions about Kokum butter.
Tash says
Hi Reddhi!
Kokum butter is one of the hardest butters. You can use it in the same way as you would cocoa butter in body butters and thicker lotions to create creamy consistencies. I like it during the fall and winter months when I need a bit more staying power in my body moisturizers 🙂
Andriana says
This is outstanding research! Thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into this and sharing it with all of us. It's nice to see the composition of the oils all in one place. There's a few oils I've never heard of that I'd like to try out now. Thanks again!
Tash says
You're welcome, Andriana! 😀
Glenda O'Connor says
Wow! Amazing research you've put together, thank you. I want to make a massage oil infused with ginger and rosemary as a treatment oil for lymphedema resulting from breast cancer surgery and other issues that cause edema in general such as varicose veins. I want an oil that penetrates deep (at least that seems to be the most beneficial) to achieve the best therapeutic effect of the ginger. Avocado keeps popping up, but I also like Castor oil for its properties ("....strong detox and purging properties. It also increases cell turnover" ). I would most appreciate any information you might be able to supply.
Tash says
Hi Glenda!
The most transdermal carrier oil is emu oil. The most transdermal plant-based oils are papaya seed oil and watermelon seed oil. However, the plant-based oils are typically used as additives to other carrier oils for their benefits. I would say that jojoba oil would be good as well. Castor is excellent for deep tissue penetration and works best when used in conjunction with a heat pad 🙂
Heidi N says
First, thank you so much for this hard work.
Second, I have been using a mixture of argan oil, apricot seed oil, and rose seed oil for the last 2 months. At first, my skin loved it, but for the last 3 weeks or so I have developed scaly patches around my nose, forehead, eyelids, and the side of my chin. I am using 2 drops on each side of my face in the morning before putting on foundation.
I am in my mid-50s, on HRT (no hormone swings), in an extremely dry climate.
What am I doing wrong?
Thank you!
Tash says
Hi Heidi!
Has the humidity shifted at all with the change of seasons? I know that I can develop the same thing if I don't have enough water in my skin. If this is becoming an issue, you may want to make a lotion out of your oils in order to seal more water into the skin. You can also incorporate rose water into your routine as a refreshing spritz!
Brenna says
Hi Tash,
I’m in Oz, where I have struggled to find hemp seed oil for skin care. I did buy a bottle of hemp seed oil for cooking, however, from my local green grocer. Could I use this on my skin? It is organic, cold-presses virgin — good enough?
Thanks!
Deniz says
Hi Sara!
I have normal skin but sometimes I have breakouts on my chin area. So I am trying to find cleanser which won't cause acne and I came up with Votary Super Seed Cleansing oil. It has chia, sunflower, grapeseed, camellia, pumpkin, raspberry, blueberry, and carrot oil. What do you think or do you have recommendation for my skin routine.
Thanks!
Vanessa says
Thank you for the info in the post. Do you have the complete list of essential oils?? Im very interested to know. Thank you so much
Tash says
Hi Vanessa!
I actually have a whole blog on essential oils! You can check it out here 🙂 The good news about EOs is that their comedogenic rating is ZERO!
Dave says
Excellent job! I put Daikon seed oil in many of my lip products (just for me, not for selling!), and in massage blends. Have any idea what it's rating might be?
Tash says
Hi Dave!
Due to Daikon's high erucic, vaccenic, and linoleic acid content, I would put it at a comedogenic rating of 0-1 🙂
D says
Hello,
Which oil do you recommend for bath oil? Coconut oil breaks me out so I've been using jojoba. Strangely my back gets very itchy. I have tried different essential oils, just jojoba and making sure my water filter is up to date. Would it be fine to use something like red raspberry that wouldn't oxidize in the hot water as much as others? Also, in your prep sections you often suggest putting the EO in first before the carrier oil. Is there a reason for this or does the order not matter? Thanks!
John says
Hello. Im wondering if it is possible to mix Tamanu oil and hemp seed oil since hemp seed oil gives me break outs and tamanu oil doesn't really help with my dry skin in the face but no break outs from it. Thank you.
Tash says
Hi John!
If hemp oil makes you break out, you don't have to use it 🙂 Perhaps try jojoba oil or something similar? You can definitely mix tamanu oil with other carrier oils.
Nadia says
Hi, what about lemon oil and rose hip seed oil?
Tash says
Hi Nadia!
Lemon oil has a rating of zero as long as you are talking about the essential oil and rose hip seed oil has a rating of 1 🙂
Phuong says
What dilution would you recommend with pomegranate seed oil or red raspberry seed oil?
Em says
Thank you for creating this useful list. But there is a mistake in Papaya seed oil. Its oleic acid content is actually 11%, and not 77% (according to this study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5042337 )
DJ Freeman says
Is there anything you would recommend to use along with a moderately comedogenic oil that would counteract its effects? something to either mix with it, or used clean your face later in the day?
Tash says
Hi DJ Freeman!
You can add 1 drop of tea tree essential oil to 1 tsp of the oil you want to use. It will help kill acne-causing bacteria but won't be able to prevent the carrier oil from clogging pores. You can also try mixing the moderately comedogenic oil with a less comedogenic oil and see how your skin like it. It's all about trial and error 🙂
Phuong says
If I wanted to create a blend for new cell regeneration for pitted scars, what should I choose?
Phuong says
I’m thinking of using
35% tamanu
45% hazelnut
20% pomegranate
But I’m also thinking about adding prickly pear oil to that blend. Do you think that would be a good blend for cell regeneration for pitted scars and HORRIBLE texture. Also I should note that I want to stay away from oils high in Vitamin A.
Rifka says
What about canola oil?
Tash says
Hi Rifka!
It's hard to say since canola oil is so processed. I know it's high in oleic acid which would make it more suitable for dry skin types. The thing is, canola oil has very little nutrients so I wouldn't use it for skin care.
Renny says
Hi there!
I've been trying carrier oils for 2-3 months now, but am really confused. I've tried rosehip oil, argan oil, and now hemp seed oil for my oily, acne prone skin. I'm 34 years old. And ever since I've tried these oils, I have lots of comedoes, especially around cheeks and jaw line. I'm mostly using hemp seed oil now, cause of it's 0 comedogenic, but my face still have lots of comedoes.
Tash says
Hi Renny!
Have you also made some lifestyle changes in conjunction with your new skincare routine? Acne is largely an internal issue, so it's important to practice a healthy lifestyle while using natural skin care methods.
amy jerram says
Awesome! Thank you! Super helpful!
Phuong says
I’m looking for a carrier oil to make a new scar oil to apply at night. I’m stuck between grape seed oil, tamanu oil, and hemp seed oil. I noticed that you said tamanu is best for scars, but I see that it’s a 2 on the comedogenic scale and that may scare me a little. What do you suggest?
Tash says
Hi Phuong!
I still think tamanu is fantastic to use. Plus, you only use it on the scars themselves, not usually the whole face. a rating of 2 is still a nice lower rating IMO, so I wouldn't worry too much about using it for treating such a small area 🙂
Deborah says
Thank you for the work! It's really useful! Just one thing... I'm from Amazônia, land of ANDIROBA oil (I had a tree in my back yard), but unfortunately it doesn't have a mild fruity scent, not when unrefined at least. In fact, it's bitter as hell and has a awful smell, which is the only reason I didn't use as a massage oil, because it has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties indeed.
Tash says
Oh my! Sounds like we aren't getting the real deal then! Thanks for the insight 😀
Radhika says
Hi Tash, what do you use as a sunscreen? Could you please elaborate on your morning routine?
Tash says
Hi Radhika!
I use the sunscreen by BeautyCounter. It's a super clean brand and their sunscreen is the only one I have found that doesn't have a gross sunscreen smell or feel.
My morning routine is basically:
Wake up and splash my face with cool water. Then I pat it dry, mist a generous amount of rose hydrosol all over my face, and then massage 2-3 drops of facial oil into my skin. Sometimes the oil is rosehip, sometimes it's argan oil, and sometimes it will be evening primrose. I like to mix it up to keep things interesting, but you don't have to do that.
I allow the rose water and oils to sink into the skin, then I will apply my sunscreen 🙂 Super simple!
Marianna says
Thank you for great work and info!!! I found some oils that I never can found, as Amaranth oil ets .
RACHEL says
I really try and stay clear of coconut oil because of its comedogenic rating. I know a lot of people rave on about it, but my skin absolutely hates it. Thanks for such good content!
Tash says
You're welcome Rachel! My skin also tends to hate coconut oil if I apply it to my face. My body, however, LOVES it!
Fiona McDonagh says
Hi there
What a FAB list. Thanks SO much.
Any insights into St John's Wort oil... I've used it with massage for scarring, with some good effect. Thanks in advance Fiona
Tash says
Hi Fiona!
It would depend on what the St. John's Wort was infused in 🙂 If you know the base, you will know the comedogenic rating. The herb itself is not comedogenic.
Grace says
Also pls bear with me. I am very confused after doing a lot of research online, I found out that omega9 or oleic acid is highly moisturizing to the point that it can clog pores when used on oily skin. But, for example here on your article, Argan oil is high in Oleic acid but perfect for acne
Thanks
Tash says
Hello again!
There are SO many factors that come into play when it comes to the right carrier oil for your skin type. In general, yes, oils high in oleic acid can, in fact, clog the skin when used by someone with an oily skin type. However, many carrier oils, argan oil included, are also made up of other constituents like fatty acids, tocopherols, and triglycerides that make them more or less comedogenic. This is the reason why argan oil is still well tolerated by many skin types while other oils high in oleic acid are not. I hope that makes sense!
Sierra says
Oh my goodness gracious. I cannot thank you enough for writing this article!!!!
Tash says
You're welcome Sierra! It was definitely a labor of love!
Grace says
What about Copaiba oil? Tia!
Tash says
Hi Grace!
Copaiba has a rating of zero 🙂
Kami says
Hello, I am wanting to try a new oil cleanser because I feel that mine is not the right fit and it contains MANY different oils which complicates knowing which is the culprit. I read your list of oils and saw black currant seed oil as having a rating of 1 and being good for eczema, rosacea & sensitive skin. Is it a good oil to use as a face cleanser? I am also using Skin Food by Weleda to start trying to repair my skin barrier. Are there other oils that you might suggest for cleanser? Do you think it would be beneficial for me to use hyaluronic Acid in addition? Thank you!!
Tash says
Hi Kami!
I'm trying to think what size the black currant seed oil comes in. If I remember correctly, it's in a very small bottle, something like 15ml. This tells me that it's one of those precious oils that's meant to be mixed with another carrier oil as it would be too costly to use it as a cleanser by itself. Have you tried using jojoba oil, hemp oil, or meadowfoam oil before? Those options are probably the most gentle and least comedogenic oils I've used personally. Might be worth looking into. You could then add some of the black currant seed oil and use it as a cleanser 🙂
As for the hyaluronic acid, do you live in a dry climate? If so, I would not recommend using it since it will suck moisture from your skin instead of the bringing moisture to your skin from the air. Otherwise, you can definitely give it a try. I use it myself with good results but I also try to be mindful of my body's hydration levels as well.
Alanna says
I like to use hyaluronic acid serum, then spritzing with rose water. This way it can easily draw it into the skin and no worries about overly drying out
Tash says
That's awesome Alanna! This is a great way to keep moisture in your skin 🙂
luchita says
Hello thank you for this information.
I just want know about vitis vinifera seed oil and melaleuca alternifolia oil the comedogenic ratings .thanks!
Tash says
Hi Luchita!
Those are both essential oils and have a rating of zero 🙂 The vitis vinifera seed oil is also known as grape seed oil, and if that's the carrier oil you want to use, it has a rating of 1-2 for Chardonnay and 1 for regular grape seed oil.
Ghazala fatma says
Thanks for giving us valuable knowledge.
Stephanie Ogbolu says
Can you please give the rating for tigernut oil? Thanks in advance!
Tash says
Hi Stephanie!
It looks like tigernut oil has almost 70% oleic acid, 12% linoleic acid, and about 12% palmitic acid. Since palmitic acid has a rating of 2, tigernut oil will be around a 2 for those who have oilier skin types. It may be well tolerated by drier skin types 🙂
SI says
which rating is geranium essential oil ?
Tash says
Hi SI!
it has a rating of zero! 🙂
Sonja says
How do I know if the sunflower seed oil I purchased is hi-oleic?
Tash says
The only sure-fire way to find out is to contact the producer 🙁 Some companies are good about saying which it is, but most are not!
Uzoechi chidi says
Waooo too many oil.well done for dis?buh nt sure where to get or make some of this oil.incase one need them.keep posted pls.thank u
Trista says
This is the best article on carrier oils I have ever read. I'm a natural formulator, and was doing a chart last night for 5 hours. Wish I had seen this first. It will help me complete my diagram chart for formulations. Thank for the amazing Information!
Tash says
Glad it was helpful Trista! I'd be interested to see your chart when it's finished! 🙂
Cristina says
Ooooh I was look for the comedogenic rating of Illipe Butter but is not on the list... It contains:
Palmitic acid 20%
Stearic acid 42%
Oleic acid 36%
Linoleic acid less than 1%
Tash says
Hi Cristina!
HMMMM! Since the stearic and palmitic acid content is so high in this butter, I would definitely give it at least a 2, perhaps a 3 rating 🙂
Luz says
Hi, thanks for the info..
What do you say about the Lavender oil? i didnt find it in the list..
Thank yoou in advance
Tash says
Hi Luz!
If you are talking about the essential oil, it has a rating of zero! 🙂
Dawn says
This is a great list however where do you buy all of these oils except for very few I have never seen any of these other oils.
Tash says
Hi Dawn!
I have linked them all on Amazon so that you can see them. I imagine it would be hard to find a lot of these oils in person 🙁
LJ says
Leven Rose (levenrose.com or Amazon) has quite a few of these. Love their quality!
Maryam says
Hi there!
Loved the list you have no idea how good it felt reading this past my bed time!
So worth it!
It took so long to gather all my oils info and wow here it is you've made my life soooo much easier, my dry skin and I thank you!
Can you add these too!
Calendula
Camphor
Camelina
Frankincense
Would love to know what you have to say for these Especially the fatty acid percentages and the scale ?
Tash says
Hi Maryam!
Are you referring to the essential oils? If so, they all have a rating of zero! 🙂 Camelina is around a 3-4 rating based on its close similarity to flax oil.
Anna says
What is the Comedogenic Rating of Tea Tree oil?
Tash says
Hi Anna!
Tea tree oil has a rating of zero 🙂
Kat says
Tea tree is an essential oil, not a fatty oil/carrier oil.
Heather says
Hi, thanks for the great post! Where does the comedogenic scale originate from? Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Heather!
I'm not sure exactly, I just know that it came about because people were wondering why some oils broke them out while others don't. The comedogenic rating really is just a guideline because as I learn more and more about carrier oils, I've come to realize that there are TONS of reasons why a certain oil doesn't work. Not sure where the original concept came from though 🙂
Kat says
What about pracaxi oil?
Tash says
Hi Kat!
It looks like pracaxi oil contains high amounts of behenic acid which seems to be mid-range on the comedogenic scale. I'd give it around a 3 for this reason. Hope this helps!
jenny says
Wow I have never seen such a complete and well written list of oil types like this. This is fantastic!
Tash says
Thanks Jenny! 😀
Nicole says
Does Fractionated Coconut Oil have the same rating as regular coconut oil?
Tash says
Hi Nicole!
I would rate is a bit less than regular coconut oil since the long chain triglycerides have been removed. This, in turn, makes fractionated coconut oil a "dry oil" which is why it is often used in cosmetics. I would still give it a 2-3 comedogenic rating based on its caprylic acid content.
Kimberly says
Thanks for this!!!
Katherine says
HI,
I'm wondering what your opinion on cedar oil is ???
Tash says
Hi Katherine!
I love cedar oil! If you're referring to the essential oil, it has a comedogenic rating of 0. 🙂
Stephanie says
Seriously the best informative article about oils for the face....I'm so grateful for this and for you putting in the time, effort, and energy into making this!!!
Tash says
You're welcome Stephanie! 😀
Amanda Johnston says
Hi, thank you for the great article. The link to the Excel sheet doesn't seem to be working though? Or am I bring special? I tried copying to a new browser. Thank you.
Tash says
Hi Amanda!
All you have to do is hit the "download" link and it will be all ready for you to use in Excel 🙂
Pamela Baxter says
What oil do you use in place of the castor oil since you don't like it? Also, when using percentages how does this convert to actual measurements. So if I'm doing 80% grapeseed oil and 20% castor oil....do I just eyeball it?
Tash says
Hi Pamela!
I pretty much always eyeball the measurements, makes life easier! 🙂 Castor oil is such a unique oil in that is is very cleansing, so there isn't an alternative that is going to give you the same results. My skin tends to try out too much when I use it but I also have a damaged outer most barrier I'm trying to deal with. I think most people do well with it though, I would juts start out small (20% should be fine) and see how your skin feels 🙂
Joy says
LOVE your article! Thank You!!!!! I’m interested in the wolf berry/goji oil for around my eyes because I have Syringomas. It’s a bit tricky to find just the pure ingredient for purchase for personal use only. I too would like to know how Squalane oil or olive squalane oil would work around eye area. Not to be confused with squalene oil, which is Squalane before hydrogenation process. ? Hope to get info on this. I’m also keeping this bookedmarked because it’s a wonderful resource! Thank you again! ?
Tash says
Hi Joy!
Interesting! I wonder if using a good frankincense essential oil in your eye serum might help with your Syringomas (it's certainly great for the eye area in general!)? Olive squalane oil would be really great for regenerating and moisturizing the skin so I think it would work great around the eyes 🙂
Leona Johnson says
I want to learn as much as as possible about carrier oils and about oils
The Merche says
Hi Tash! While doing research for my guide on oils, I chanced upon your incredibly informative article.
Melinda says
What about plant derived Squalane oil? I've been trying to find oils that don't clogg. It's really hard for me, because even rosehip causes me milia and bumps
Melinda says
Squalane oil and not squalene because I think it is the shark liver oil?
Angela says
Hi there, I have a client who is interest in this information however, I also need sources of where the info came from. Do you have a list or maybe I just missed it skmewhere. Thanks for any help!
Tash says
Hi Angela!
I don't have a list of sources (it would have been as long as the article if I had thought to include it) 🙁 Sorry for the inconvenience!
Jade says
Hi Tash! My daughter cannot use glycerin in face moisturizers, so we have quite a hard time finding a moisturizer for her. Her skin is very dry, but she also breaks out often. What would you recommend? Thanks for the wonderful article!
-Jade
Tash says
Hi Jade!
Has she tried any oils in the past to good effect? I'm wondering if rosewater and rosehip seed oil might be good for her to try?
Liam says
Hello! I'm curious, why would high oleic sunflower oil be more likely to clog pores, but not other high oleic things, like hazelnut oil and shea butter? Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Liam!
This has to do with the outer most barrier of the skin as well as feedback and resources I have come across. For some reason, high oleic sunflower oil just isn't tolerated well by a lot of people. My skin is very acne prone and I can use pure shea butter without any issues. Crazy right?
Liam says
Huh, interesting! Thanks so much for all of the info! I can't imagine how long it took to put everything together; it's greatly appreciated! 🙂
Penny says
Hi I have combination skin. Big pores. Blackheads on T zone and awful cystic acne. I also have acne scars. I've used so many oils but am purging badly on jojoba! I want an oil I can use to remove my natural mineral make up and one to use as a moisturiser. My face seems to love chamomile water for redness. I bought carrot seed essential oil. But are you saying that the essential oil is also high comedogenic? I've just ordered organic cold pressed hazelnut oil. It says for cooking? But I assume it's fine? I do have pure argan oil? My long distance boyfriend is coming over in two weeks and I just don't want him to see my face like this! It's full of clusters of small spots quickly coming to a head! as well as some smaller cystic acne. It's been purging for 5 days now and I'm not sure Wether purging is a good thing? Or should I switch to argan and hazel nut with carrot seed so I can have clearer skin in two weeks? I use raw honey to wash my face and was using jojoba to remove make up followed by hot steamy cloth on my face. Help!
Tash says
Hi Penny!
it definitely sounds like the jojoba oil is purging your skin, the bad part is that purge can last several weeks. What you might want to do is stop using it for now to prevent elongating the purge. Whatever is coming up through the skin will continue to do so until it comes to a head, so your best bet is to be gentle with your skin and perhaps consider using a clay mask on trouble areas only to help dry up the whiteheads. Continue using the chamomile water to help control redness and inflammation. You can also try to use diluted raw apple cider vinegar to help dissolve blackheads. otherwise the quickest and most efficient way to remove them is to use pore strips which isn't ideal.
Hazelnut oil is perfect and will absorb quickly into the skin. But I'm a bit worried about trying new oils right before your boyfriend shows up since you don;t know how your skin will react. Was there any oil you used before that worked well and didn't break you out? typically, purging IS a good thing, but it can last quite a while before all the gunk comes to the surface. Since you don't have time for that, I would recommend being as gentle as possible to your skin. I would also not use a "hot steamy" cloth on it for now as that can encourage more sebum to be produced. the last thing you want to do is stress over it which I know is hard to do, but stress WILL make things worse.
All I can say is, stop the jojoba oil and use something you know you skin agrees with for the time being, keep using the chamomile water, keep using the honey wash, try using a gentle clay mask on blemishes, and only use tepid water on your face for now.
Sue says
A really amazing read. Thank you so much for the hard work. I was just about to apply wheat germ oil thinking it would heal my scars. But thanks to your article I prevented my skin from further breaking out.
Can u suggest any one oil specifically which may prevent my skin from breaking out and also heal my scars from previous pimples as I have combination skin ? I would be really grateful if you could advise.
Tash says
Hi Sue!
I would give tamanu oil a go. It's not the best smelling oil but it IS the best for healing scars 🙂 You would use just a tiny amount and massage it into the scar tissue at least nightly. Twice a day or more is best. You could even add an essential oil like frankincense to add more scar healing benefits.
D says
Hello,
I really appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into this list. It is highly informative and helpful! I have read that the high percentage of oleic acid in olive oil can damage the skin barrier leading to moisture loss. What are your thoughts? I use shea butter for dry areas, should I be concerned due to the high oleic content?
Also, what are your thoughts on using oils that contain a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, as some say these can oxidize on the skin causing aging.
Thank you!
Tash says
Hi D!
That's crazy about the high oleic oils! Seems like it's best to stick with high linoleic carrier oils if your barrier is damaged. As for the oils with high amounts of polyunsaturated fats, I would steer clear anyways in most cases because those oils are often comedogenic in nature. I haven't heard about the oxidizing aspect of them though. I'll have to look into this further! Thank you for bringing this to my attention 🙂
How long have you been using the shea butter?
Shel says
Thank you for all this AMAZING info and research! You are the best!! I recently used both Abyssinian Oil and Moringa Oils on my face. Loved them...especially Abyssinian Oil. I'm wondering if you had any info on either that you could share? Thank you!!
Tash says
Hi Shel!
I'm happy to hear you're enjoying those oils! I haven't tried either myself, but I do know that abyssinian oil is rich in linoleic and lenolenic acids which are fantastic for the skin! Moringa is more rich in oleic acid, so if you have pretty dry skin that would be a good one for sure as it penetrates deeply into the skin 🙂
Sheryl says
Thank you so much for taking the time to put this guide together. Your research is greatly appreciated. I am highly allergic to many oils and commercial products. I was at my wits end until I came across your guide. I will now be able to create my own concoctions specifically for highly sensitive skin. It is wonderful to know which oils have a comedogenic rating of 0 to use for my face. Once again, very grateful for this information, thank you.
Tash says
You're very welcome Sheryl! Best of luck formulating 🙂
Jenia Ruth Johnson says
Hey, you have been very helpful! I have an oil that is not on here I need to know the rating of. Perilla oil is a great oil but I am making a soap for my husband for oily skin but need to know about the comedogenic of Perilla. If U can help me I will appreciate it! Hope to hear from U soon! Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Jenia!
Since perilla oil has such a high amount of alpha-linolenic acid (up to 64%) and also contains palmitic acid and stearic acid, i would say at best it has a rating of 2 and at worst a rating or 4.
Linda says
Hi Tash,
I recently broke out with a bad case of eczema on both my eyelids. I tried using an all natural eye cream made out of shea butter, jojoba, olive and rose hip oils, but ended up having an allergic reaction with red, swollen eyes (not sure which ingredient caused the reaction). I stopped the cream, but still have the eczema. Any suggestions for oils and/or essential oil combinations that would be safe for the eye area? In general, I have very sensitive skin with an oily T-Zone. Thanks for any help you can give me, as I really don't want the oral and topical steroidal cream from the doctor.
Linda
Tash says
Hi Linda!
I recommend choosing one of the oils and seeing how you react. It could be that you were trying too many things at once and it didn't help the situation. Whenever I travel to a dryer climate, I also tend to get eczema on my eye lids. The one product that helped immensely with healing is a whipped shea butter with olive leaf extract by the company Evan Healy. You can most likely find it at any local health food store. Perhaps you can ask for a sample and give it a go! It works wonders for me!
Ann Spriggs says
I had a laser treatment done last year and my skin is not healthy. It's constantly broken out and irritated. Right now I'm using maracuja oil and jojoba oil and then a shea butter moisturizer. I also use rose water as a toner. Is there another oil you would suggest to heal my skin? I feel like it was damaged, which is causing the breakouts. Also, should I be using something high in vitamin c or omega 3 fatty acids like Argan oil? Also, what do you think about products containing ceramides? Do any oils contain them naturally?
Tash says
Hi Ann!
How long have you been using the maracuja oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter? As far as omega 3s go, I would actually recommend taking a supplement for that as it will greatly benefit not only your skin, but your overall health too! I like the brand Nordic Naturals.
Ceramides seems to be really good for the skin, but I haven't been able to find any oils that contain them naturally. I think wheat germ would be a candidate, but that is known to definitely clog your pores so I would steer clear of it. However, I think the brand Earth Science would be a good one to look into. 🙂
Ann S says
I've been using the maracuja/ jojoba oil combo for one week, followed by a shea butter moisturizer. I've also been using raw honey as a face wash and use cool water to wash and rinse. So far it seems to be helping. Do you think I should stick with this formula for a while? I've also been taking fish oil and bone broth and collagen hydrosolate internally for my health and skin . I've also been using pure rose water as a toner. Thank you for you reply
Tash says
Hi Ann!
Those sound great! I would recommend trying that combo for at least 6 weeks to see how your skin likes it. If you notice anything negative, then I would start changing the face oils.
Caitlin says
Hi!
What ratios for each oil are you using for the Hemp/Watermelon Seed/Cucumber Seed cleansing oil? That combo sounds perfect for my skin type, and I want to try it out for myself!
Tash says
Hi Caitlin!
Cucumber oil works best at a 25% dilution so I would fill your dropper bottle (or container of choice 1/4 of the way). Next, add a few drops of watermelon seed oil and then fill the rest of the way with the hemp seed oil 🙂 Feel free to play with the watermelon seed oil amount as needed!
Samantha says
Hello, I stumbled across this article & found it to be quite helpful and very informative. My question: is the Cupuacu oil & Kukui nut oil similar or different? If they are different, then what is the rating of the Cupuacu oil and its benefits to the skin? Is it good for acne prone skin? Thank you in advance for your response.
Tash says
Hi Samantha!
Both of these are great for more dry skin types but be aware that cupuaca oil has a much higher lauric acid content (about 16-25%) which makes it quite a bit more pore clogging than kukui nut oil. Lauric acid is a 4 on the comedogenic scale. It also has about 8-12% myristic acid which is a scale of 3. With this in mind, I would say that cupuaca oil has a rating of at least 3. I hope this helps! Also, be sure to check out my article on 300+ skincare ingredients and their comedogenic ratings. All of the acids are listed there and you can very easily search for the ones you are looking for 🙂
Gina says
Hi there, just wondering what the comedogenic rating is for karanja oil?
Also, I've been using kukui oil as I saw some time back on this site that it was rated a 0: https://thebestorganicskincare.com/a-list-of-non-comedogenic-facial-oils
However, you gave it a 2 in your site. Any reason why? Now I'm a little confused re kukui oil 🙂
Thanks,
Gina
Tash says
Hi Gina!
It is because of its very high oleic acid content (45-71%). The higher the percentage, the higher the rating can go. Also, it had almost 10% palmitic acid which is considered a 2 on the comedogenic scale. based on this, I would give this a rating of 2 especially for those with normal, oily, or combination skin types 🙂 A person with dry skin might do fine using this oil though.
Lynne says
I hope this thread is still open...I'm just getting into learning about natural oils and cleansing balms. I have come across Cacay Oil which makes amazing claims. It is pricey though so before I purchase it to try I wondered if you knew it's comedogenic rating please?
Tash says
Hi Lynne!
Caryodendron orinocense (aka Cacay oil) has a pretty high amount of linoleic acid (up to 85%!) but can also have a high amount of myritic acid (up to 25%) which is known to have a comedogenic rating of 3. Linoleic acid is great for acne prone skin so this oil may have a rating of 1-2 depending on the myristic acid content. This is still a great rating!
Helena says
Hello.
Your article is really help me to choose my own oil skin care.
But, how about perilla oil?
Is it comedogenic?
Tash says
Hi Helena!
Based on my research, it seems like perilla oil has a high linolenic acid content (54-64%). Based on this, I would say that it has a comedogenic rating of 4 and will likely clog pores for most people. Hope this helps!
Rebekah says
Hello! I was wondering your thoughts on using Vitamin E oil as a moisturizer. I see that Vitamin E is in a lot of other oils and has lots of benefits, but I've also learned that it can be clogging in high quantities. Would you advise against using it on my face as a moisturizer?
Thank you!
Tash says
Hi Rebekah!
If you have oily skin, I would probably steer clear of using it directly on your face. For dry skin though, you may be able to get away with a very small amount mixed with another carrier oil. If you notice breakouts, I would skip it!
Maria says
Can you recommend a hydrating non comedogenic oil for dry combination skin please. I liked how avocado oil made my skin feel but it gave me terrible spots within days if using it!
They soon disappeared after using prickly pear daily & roship by night but now my pores seem to be reappearing (I think I need some tightening)
I'm 42 and only have 1 ovary so need some anti-aging too!
Tash says
Hi Maria!
Is your skin dehydrated at all? This is different that "dry".
Susanna Honeychurch says
Hi,
Thanks, this is great info! Could you give me some assistance narrowing down as every time I change my facecare, my skin reacts, so I don't want to try a whole lot of new oils.
I have sensitive combination skin with adult acne that seems come from sensitivity, not oiliness.
I've been using oil cleansing method for a couple months now, using jojoba for cleansing & rosehip for moisturising. Still getting constant breakouts, with my skin overall feeling like it is not sufficiently moisturised & generally irritable.
Do you have a recommendation for a better oil combination?
Tash says
Hi Susanna!
Could you tell me more about your skincare routine and lifestyle habits? 🙂
Susanna Honeychurch says
I'm using oil cleansing at the moment, using jojoba for cleansing once a day in the evening, removing it with a hot cloth. Then moisturising with a mist of avene thermal water (the only toner I can use which doesn't irritate my skin), & a few drops of rosehip oil. In the morning I wash with water, & moisturise again with a few drops of rose hip oil. I use a clean mineral powder foundation most days. I have had no improvement since using oil cleansing. Basically no change except I get more whiteheads now.
My diet is fairly clean, I'm processed sugar free. My acne seems to fluctuate very slightly with hormones, but mainly seems sensitivity & stress-driven.
Tash says
Hello again Susanna!
What skin type do you have? I'm wondering if your have a dehydrated outer most skin barrier.
Susanna Honeychurch says
I think I have combination skin. Sometimes it feels so dry that it is stingy when I put powder foundation on it. But I do sometimes get shine around nose & chin & sides of forehead. If I don't wear makeup, it can feel oily in those spots for a long time after I moisturise.
DjD says
Hi Susanna: As an esthetician, I have learned there is a myriad of reasons for adult acne which is more common in women than men. Aside from those pesky monthly issues we have, some of the new studies suggest that the microbiome of our face may be a root issue. When caring for your skin, finish all cleansing/exfoliating/mask routines with something that will help reestablish your skin's protective pH (4.5-5.5). There are several choices: aloe vera, rose/rosemary/cedarwood/ hydrosol, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, even green tea. Additionally, our environment (workplace or home) may impact it as we come into contact with free radicals (like working in a kitchen that cooks with oils). Antioxidants help to bind those free radicals and stops the damage. These can be taken internally or some can be put on the face. Ultimately, trial and error is necessary. Keep trying. There is an answer out there for you.
Sophia says
Wow! What an extensive list. Thank you! I've sent it to all my female friends and family.
I'm wondering what would be the most moisturing oil for body. I live in a place with tropical weather but suffer from dry skin, eczematic and sensitive skin with KP that seems to have very little elasticity even though I'm just 30. I just started using a blend of jojoba oil, shea nut oil, vitamin E oil and rose hip oil. Any improvements I can make to this blend to make it more effective for my skin,
Tash says
Hi Sophia!
That blends sounds pretty good actually! You may also want to consider adding a tiny amount of vegetable glycerin (no more than 10% of the final blend) to help retain moisture as well 🙂
Trish says
Hello Tash~
I am new to the whole essential/carrier oil thing and I happened to stumble upon your blog. I found it very helpful, however, I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind me asking 🙂 I am a combination skin type, oily on t-zones and normal (but dry during winter) skin on the rest of my face. I was wondering if I can use Argan oil or Hemp seed oil by itself for my whole face without consequences (or even mixing the two). I've been looking into oils that can be a nice moisturizer for the face without breaking me out harshly. Also, is it necessary to mix these stuff with certain carrier oils, if so, what would you recommend. Sorry for the lengthy comment and it would be greatly appreciated if you can give any tips and recommendations for a noob like me. Thanks in advance :)))
Tash says
Hi Trish!
Finding the right oil can certainly be tricky since everyone's skin is so different. However, hemp seed oil is known to be very well tolerated for most skin types and will usually NOT break you out. However, if the outer most barrier of your skin is damaged, even the least comedogenic oil can cause trouble because the skin is just SO dehydrated. It doesn't sound like your skin has this issue though! I would try out the hemp seed oil first and see how your skin likes it. If it needs more moisture, try adding a small amount of argan oil. You may need to adjust a few times until you find the right mix for your unique skin 🙂 Also keep in mind that true results can take up to 6 weeks to see depending on your skin's cellular turnover and any pending acne that hasn't surfaced yet.
Best of luck!
Shafira says
Hi! Do you have any information about the comedogenicity,linoleic acid,and oilei acid of squalane oil? I cant find any informations about it as it is not a popular oil but i heard that it is really great for oily skin. Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Shafira!
From what I could find, squalene oil has an oleic acid content of 73% which makes it perfect for dry skin types. It does seem unique though since squalene occurs naturally in our own sebum. It sounds like a good oil to try out, even if it's just a few drops mixed in another oil. Since I can't seem to find a good profile on it, it's hard to say what its comedogenic rating would be. I'll have to look into it more! 🙂 I you try it, let us know how it works out for you!
Macy says
What kind of face towel do you use? And also do you only use it once after OCM?
jacy c says
Hello Tash. Thanks for all your hard work , all that research you did on the types of oils is amazing. I now have a good idea which oils to use thanks again JACY
Tash says
You're welcome Jacy! 🙂
Macy says
Thank you!
Jamie says
Thank you!
Tash says
You're welcome Jamie! <3
Macy says
Hi! I cannot find the comedogenicity of tea tree oil. Do you know any information about this oil? and also how to use it bacause I heard that it burns when directly put on skin. Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Macy!
tea tree oil has a comedogenic rating of zero since it is an essential oil. You will need to dilute it properly in a carrier oil before use 🙂
Nikki says
Will using hemp oil topically cause you to fail a drug test?
Tash says
Nope! Not the same thing at all 🙂
Kate says
I cannot find much information about the comedogenicity of camelina seed oil. Do you have any information?
Tash says
Hi Kate!
Form what I could find, camelina seed oil (aka false flax) has a profile very similar to flax seed oil which has a rating of 4. Considering this, I would probably give this oil a range of 3-4 based on that information. It's a tricky one for sure!
Kate says
I know, my research led me to the same assumption, but I have tried both oils on my skin, and they feel very different, and absorb differently as well. Their shelf lives are widely disparate as well, I will continue the research.
Lily says
Do you know anything about Globe Amaranth oil? I have a bottle of this with ingredients including soybean, argan kernel, apricot kernel, safflower & coconut oil. How comodogenic do you think this would be?
Tash says
Hi Lily!
Hmmm...that's tough to say! I would largely depend on how much coconut/soybeal oil is in it as those both have higher ratings than most oils. I wonder if it might be worth asking the brand that makes it?
Anna says
Hi Tash
thanks for this extensive list. I am pretty new to oils and OCM, however I find that they work better with my cystic acne prone skin than many other products.
Still I am struggling with the blending of oils. I started with grape seed, hemp seed and safflower, which I find most pleasant. I have a kind of dry and oily skin, if that makes sense.
So now I have: Argan, Tamanu, Castor, Jojoba, Safflower, Grapeseed, Hempseed and Rosehip - and no idea which one is best for blending and OCM and which one for moisturizing. Right now I take a squeeze of this and that, trying to balance castor with argan to avoid dry skin.
I also have a anti-acne blend with tto, black cumin etc, which I use as a spot treatment, so far with success.
It would be great if you could provide any recipes I could try...Though I am a bit cautious with jojoba and castor in regards of my acne prone skin.
Thank you and have a great day
Tash says
Hi Anna!
This is always so tricky because everyone's skin is SO different. I always say, stick with what your skin is liking to keep things simple. If you decide to try a new oil, you need to give your skin some time to adjust too. What I do know is castor can be quite drying if too much is used. Tamanu oil is amazing for healing scars and hyper pigmentation and the other oils you've mentioned are also great for the skin.
What I would do is get an idea for how much of each oil you're using and see if you can duplicate that into a larger recipe you can keep in a dropper bottle. I personally use just hemp seed oil for washing and moisture and then tammany oil for scars. My skin is very oily and clogs easily but my skin is the clearest it has ever been. I hope this gives you some insight 🙂
Angelique says
Hi!
Thanks for the extremely usefull list.
But what about Pine Oil? Is it comedogenic ?
Thanks!
Angelique Windey
Tash says
Hi Angelique!
Which pine oil are you referring to? Pine nut oil? Pine essential oil? Or red pine oil? 🙂 Or is it none of these? I do know that essential oils have a rating of zero.
Nasha says
Hai Tash! Your list help me a lot, so thank you!
By the way, can i use hemp seed oil alone as a moisturizer for my oily acne prone skin or i have to mix it with essential oil? And you said that tamanu oil can really fade your acne scars, how do you use it?
Thanks 🙂
Tash says
Hi Nasha!
You don't need to use essential oils 🙂 They're just handy when you're looking for a little more support for specific issues. As for tamanu oil, I really just use it as a spot treatment for problem areas. It's such a weird oil and can be pricey so I just use a tiny amount on scars and hyperpigmentation. Works really well!
Lex says
Hey! I thought your list was extremely useful, and thanks to you I discovered hemp seed oil and raspberry seed oil! They are both *amazing* !! The former made my skin far less oily and dealt with my whiteheads, and the latter gave me such a glowing, healthy complexion! They are unlike anything I have tried before. It actually makes me angry to see how much various companies charge for products with all sorts of stuff in them, when these oils alone are so much cheaper and better! So thank you for all your work here!
It also got me thinking - maybe I could create a spreadsheet with all the info here, including each oil and its comedogenic rating, composition etc. Then it would be trivial to sort the list according to various criteria and figure out what oil to try next! I've sent it to you on Facebook, in case it might be useful for you too. 🙂
Tash says
Hi Lex!
This was SO wonderful of you to do! THANK YOU! I was able to upload the document near the beginning of the article for others to use 🙂 <3
Kris says
YES!!! I LOVE the spreadsheet. Very helpful!!! Thank you so much Tash for your invaluable information and added bonus to Lex for to simplify into a spreadsheet! Very much appreciated! Abundant blessings to you both! <3 😀
Tash says
Glad you found it so helpful Kris! 🙂
Lisa says
Hi Tash.
Before I jump into my question just wanted to say thank you for putting together this list. To be honest I was afraid of starting to use oils on my skin but now I'm ready to jump into it due to the information listed here. I wanted to ask you about jojoba oil and meadow foam oil. I have dehydrated combination oily skin and have a lot of blackheads on my nose and cheeks. I've heard about how good Jojoba oil is at gettin rid of them but I'm worried some of the purging some people mention while using it. Do you think meadow foam seed oil is just as good at removing blackheads or is jojoba oil still the better choice?
Thanks in advance
Tash says
Hi Lisa!
I've heard that meadow foam is an excellent replacement for jojoba oil. I'm not sure if it causes a purge or not. If you try it out, let us know how it goes 🙂
Lisa says
Hey Tash 🙂
It took forever and a day but I finally got my hands on meadow foam seed oil as well as hazelnut oil. To get rid of my blackheads do you think it would be better for me to use these oils as cleanser, mix with my moisturizer, or as a last step in my routine as a spot treatment?
Thanks again!
Tash says
Hi Lisa!
You can use it for any of those! It's such a great oil! Maybe try it different way to see which method your skin likes best 🙂
Ese Mudanohwo says
Very informative list, thanks alot for sharing this. Do you have any information on on the fatty acid profile of sapote /mamey /south American apricot seed oil?
Tash says
Hi Ese!
It looks like spate oil has a high oleic acid content (about 50%) so it would be more suitable for drier skin types. The linoleum acid is only 10% so it may clog oily skin. I'd say this oil would have a rating of 1-2 depending on your skin type 🙂
Kaitlyn says
I have sensitive, acne and blackhead prone combination oily and dry skin. I also have occasional rosacea on my cheeks. Which oil, or combination of oils do you think would be the best? i intend to use these for both the OCM, and moisturizing after rosewater. Thank you:)
Tash says
Hi Kaitlyn!
Is your skin dry or dehydrated (very different things)? If it's just dry, you can up your hydration levels (coconut water or adding a tiny pinch of himlayan salt to your drinking water can really help with this) and use an oil that works with your skin type. I have similar skin to yours and find that jojoba oil, rosehip oil, or hemp oil work best. However, if your skin is dehydrated, you can use oils with a higher oleic acid content. Please let me know and we can discuss further! 🙂
Kaitlyn says
Well, I drink quite a lot of water throughout the day (though thank you for the himalayan salt tip, I'll be adding that to my day) so that probably isn't it, but i don't know. I would describe it as having dull looking dry areas, but not necessarily all over... Also, which oils would you recommend for occasional redness or rosacea? Both of those things are big issues for me lately.
Anne says
Hi
Based on your article, I want to purchase Safflower oil since it has comedogenic rating 0 and high linoleic acid 70%. But when I check in Amazon at the product detail, it said that Safflower has high oleic acid 70%, therefore it is for dry skin. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01M1E7M31/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1488570256&sr=8-4&keywords=safflower+oil+for+skincare
Could you clarify this? Thank you.
Tash says
Hi Anne!
There are actually TWO types of safflower oil - one high in monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) and one high in ployunsaturated fat (linoleic acid). You have to watch out which one you buy!
Linda says
Hi Tash - This article is an amazing piece of work. Please know it's one of the most comprehensive lists I could find online. I would love to know whether each particular oil is a carrier oil or an essential oil that needs dilution or can be applied neat. I found two different blueberry oils online by the same manufacturer, but one had jojoba as a carrier oil listed and the other didn't. Kind of makes me wonder if blueberry oil is a carrier oil or not. Also, do you have any info on moringa oil and the comedogenic factor of it? Thanks so much for all the valuable info! - Linda
Tash says
Hi Linda!
From what I could find, It looks like moringa oil has a very high oleic acid content (about 75%!) which means that it could be suitable for really dry skin types but may not work super well for oily or combination skin. This also depends on dehydration levels in the skin as well. It also has about 12% palmitic acid which I know has a rating of 2. So I'd say this oil would has a rating of at least 2 based on the oleic and palmitic acid content.
This list I have made is only based of carrier oils. Essential oils have a zero comedogenic rating as they lack saturated and unsaturated fats 🙂 I know that it's possible to make an essential oils out of pretty much any plant material, so it wouldn't be too outlandish to have a blueberry EO out there. Still a bit sketchy though! You may want to reach out to them and see what they have to say about it. 🙂 In my experience, you can make your OWN blueberry oil by getting organic dried blueberries and macerating them in a carrier oil for 4-6 weeks in a cool dark place. Strain the oil and voila! Blueberry oil!
aiya says
hi there
do you know what oat seed oil would be?
Tash says
Hi Aiya!
From what I can find it seems like oatseed has an oleic acid content of about 40%. So it would be good if you have dry dehydrated skin. I'd say it has a rating of 1-2.
Rebecca says
This is an absolutely incredible piece of work. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing. It must have taken forever, and is extremely informative and thorough.
Wonderful!
Tash says
Thanks Rebecca! It certainly took a while but I'm happy it's been so helpful for everyone 🙂
Kathryn says
Your list is amazing!!!! I thought I had some "unigue" and "exotic" but you truly have alot of different ones and beneficial that I really didn't know about! Super awesome info.!!!!@
Tash says
Thanks Kathryn! Glad you like it! <3
Kris says
Hi Tash,
I wanted to know if you could recommend any oils that would be good as a hair serum? I have acne prone, sensitive skin.
Thanks!
Kris
Tash says
Hi Kris!
The best oil I have used for hair is coconut oil 🙂 It deeply moisturizes the hair all the way to the core and kept me from needing trims too often. For hair growth, I recommend castor oil massaged into the roots. You can dilute it about 50/50 with any other carrier oil you like. I typically massage castor oil into my root and then saturate the length and ends with coconut oil while I work out. It gives the oils a good hour to do their magic before I shampoo them out 🙂
Noone says
Hi Kris, I have acne prone skin and castor oil and coconut oil sent me into months of trying to recover from big painful acne. I would not recommend then at all. If you tried it worked for you then great.
The thought of having any of the two on my face or hair simply terrifies me.
Jocasta says
Hi Tash,
Just curious, have you heard about Cacay oil? It's like Argan oil's kick-arse cousin. 🙂
I've tried it myself, it is wonderful! -
Evens out skin tone, help reduce acne scars, is a light oil and very mositurising - leaves skin very silky smooth. It is also said to have more the vitamin E of Argan oil and 10 times the vitamin A of Rosehip.
Just thought I'd mention it!
Take care,
Jocasta
Chris says
Have you combined all 3 (cacay, rosehip, and argan) into 1 face oil?
Shelley says
Hi Tash,
Do you know the rating of amaranth oil? I have looked everywhere and can only find the various acid contents of amaranth oil.
Many thanks!
Tash says
Hi Shelly!
From my research it seems like amaranth oil has a linoleum acid content of 37-56% which is really nice for more acne prone oily skin types. I would give this oil no more than a 1-2 comedogenic rating. If you have really dry skin, you may benefit from an oil with a little more oleic acid in it. Hope this oil works out for you 🙂
Diana says
Is there a difference in the comedogenic rating of Sea Buckthorn berry oil and Sea Buckthorn seed oil? I have the same question about Rosehip oil.
I made a skin cream using mostly raspberry seed oil, and added approx 3% each, of the following: carrot root, rosehip CO2 extract(total berry, including seed) and Sea Buckthorn CO2 extract(total berry, including seed). And my face has been breaking out like crazy. Any thoughts or guidance? Also, I wondered if you can find out the rating of acai berry oil?
Tash says
Hi Diana!
This is really tricky! Have you used any of these oils on their own before and had similar reactions? Also, do you know if the source for your Co2 extracted oils is reputable? Some companies may not remove all traces of hexane, heptane, or ethanol from their Co2 extracts which have been known to cause skin reactions for some people. Also, are you aware of having an allergy to the rose family at all? Having an allergy to sea buckthorn exists but seems pretty rare. I'm allergic to raspberries themselves but can use the oil.
Acai berry oil seems to be pretty balanced in its acid content so I'd give it a 1-2 rating depending on the source 🙂
Diana says
Hi Tash, thanks for your response!
I'm not aware of any allergies, but I have been reading some articles that say roseship oil is not recommended for people with acne prone skin because it is a known to aggravate acne in some people, (and that is the reaction I've had) so I think that the rosehip is the likely culprit. The source of the CO2 extracts I am getting is very reputable, and since they are extracted using only carbon dioxide, these extract aren't exposed to the other solvents. I stopped using the cream and my skin is showing improvement already...
DavetteB says
CO2 extracts are more like essential oils, but even more concentrated. They should be diluted even more than EOs -- 0.5% for face, 1% for body. HTH
PS - love this in depth list.
diana says
That is interesting to know, thank you Davette. Ive also been reading that Rosehip oil and (Rosehip CO2) can aggravate acne in some people, which seems to be the case with me.
Layla says
I would say it is the carrot root oil. Usually this oil is infused with carrot tissue and roots so the carrier oil may not have a high comedogenic rating. My carrot root oil is infused with sunflower oil which can clog pores. Hopefully this helps.
Rin says
Can you recommend an oil for the eye area which might help combat some serious dark circles and a bit of puffiness? I have combination skin which will start to get blemishes on my cheekbones if I put anything too heavy on my undereyes, so I don't want something that will end up over-moisturizing the surrounding skin. My eyes can also be a bit sensitive - although, to get rid of my dark circles I would take watery eyes any day. Thanks in advance!
Tash says
That's a tough one!
Do you know what may be causing your under eye circles? Because the root cause is where you should focus your energy 🙂 I personally have pretty dark circles but it's because I have chronic hay fever and asthma. If I control both of those my circles seem to fade a lot!
What you can do to help things topically is use any carrier oil that works well for your skin and add a few drops of German Chamomile essential oil. So in 1oz maybe add like 3-5 drops. This essential oils is incredibly good for moving stagnant fluids.
Rin says
Thank you! I'm not sure I can do much about the underlying condition of the dark circles (fatigue and poor sleep due to chronic illness, anyone?) but I will remember to look for chamomile oil.
I was actually hoping for help with another problem. I started using a roughly 50-50 combination of jojoba and grapeseed oil, with a few drops of tea tree oil added in, as my moisturizer 2 weeks ago. Since then I seem to have gotten quite a few blackheads/clogged pores. They are closer to the surface of the skin than usual (aka I can easily pop them out. It's bad but who can resist?) I know jojoba is known for "purging" the skin, so I stuck with it hoping that's what was happening, but they don't seem to be getting any better. I'm wondering if it's time to give something else a try, and if so, what might be a good choice?
For the record I have combination skin, but need something fairly moisturizing since I live in a hellishly dry climate. Aside from the occasional blemish and the blackheads/pores I don't have any skin issues.
Jennifer says
I'd like to see cacay oil and açai oil added to the list 🙂
Tash says
Hi Jennifer!
cacay oil seems to be a rating of 1-2 while acai oil also has a comedogenic rating of 1-2. This is because acai oil is more suitable for dry skin types which can usually handle heavier oils. I hope to do more research on these soon!
Dalia says
Hi
Thank you for this great information, but I would please like to know about Cacay oil is is comedogenic or not? I couldn't find it online at all
Thank you
Regards
Dalia
Tash says
Hi Dalia!
According to the information i could find online, it seems like cacay oil has a comedogenic rating of 1-2. I say this because it has high linoleic acid content BUT is also made up of 50% vitamin E which I know can be too "pore clogging" for some people. Hope this helps 🙂
Chris says
Which part is oil clogging linoleic acic or vitamin E?
Tash says
Vitamin E! 🙂
Chris says
I have acne-prone skin. I'm using cacay oil (nothing else) now. I haven't had a breakout. Just wanted to put that out there that it may not be an issue for acne-prone users. Rosehip & cacay oil work well for my acne-prone skin.
Tash says
That's great Chris! Thank you for sharing 🙂
kristen says
thank you thank you thank you for finally having beef tallow listed! I have been using tallow for skin care and in my soaps for a few years now and could never find this information. 🙂
Now I need to reformulate my face soaps - I've been using a high olive oil recipe that will need work.
Thank you
Kristen
Tash says
You're welcome Kristen! 🙂 It's good stuff!
Sasha S. says
This what the list I'd been looking for ! Thanks so much for the info !
Tash says
You're welcome Sasha! 🙂
Cindy Rogers says
Hi
I noticed you haven't listed Prickly Pear Oil. I use it on my face & scars because it contains 150% more vitamin e than argan oil.
More info about it here: https://www.freespiritgroup.com.au/product/prickly-pear-seed-oil/
By the way, your list is very informative & gives people quite good advice on what essential oil/s are suitable for their skin type.
Tash says
Thank you for your lovely comment Cindy!
I'll have to add prickly pear oil to the list 🙂
Stephanie says
Wow. This is amazing, thank you so much for sharing. I'm working on formulating a facial moisturizer for my acne-prone skin (maybe I'll look like I'm done with puberty by the time I'm 40?), so I'll definitely be bookmarking this for reference.
Tash says
Hi Stephanie!
I'm happy you're finding this article helpful 🙂 Best of luck on your formulation!
Maria says
Please, i really need your help! I have a combination and sensetive skin, i got some bumps on my forehead and also some pimples (not a lot), and i started to use almond oil, and i see that there’re some new bumps (3) and one little pimple on my nose, what that mean? that the oil is comedonic for my skin, or that it cleans him ? and which oil do you think is best for my skin? I also tried cocount oil, and i use it in the morning, and it’s feel like it’s what cause the bumps on my forehead. which oil is best for sensetive and combination skin?? I’ll really really appriciate if you will answer me! ?
Tash says
Hi Maria!
Would you say that your skin is dry or dehydrated? This can really determine which oil is best for your skin. Otherwise, you may want to try hemp seed oil because most people tolerate it well. The bumps could mean that your skin is detoxing OR it could mean that it isn't the right oil for your skin. I also have combination/sensitive skin and I find that lighter oils work best for me, but everyone is different!
Best of luck 🙂
Andrea says
Wow this is a really extensive list! Good job 🙂 Where did you find all of the comedogenic ratings? I have a hard time finding this info online.
Tash says
Thanks Andrea! I hope you find it useful 😀
DIANA says
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS LIST TOGETHER, IT IS VERY HELPFUL! I HAVE ONE QUESTION: YOU HAVE HAZELNUT OIL LISTED AS HAVING A COMEDOGENIC RATING OF 1, BUT EVERYWHERE ELSE I'VE CHECKED IT IS RATED AS 2. CAN YOU DOUBLE-CHECK THAT AND CONFIRM WHETHER IS IT A 1 OR 1 2? THANK YOU, DIANA
Tash says
Hi Diana!
it really depends on which hazelnut oil you choose. Every oil will be different depending on sourcing, processing, etc. What I do know is generally hazelnut oil ranges between a 1 and a 2 on the comedogenic scale. best of luck using it 🙂
victoria j ingham says
just an awesome read you really have put everything together and explained to the full well done you and it is the best information ive read on the net well done you kind regards
Tash says
Thank you so much Victoria for your kind comment 😀
Yanitsa says
Wow! Thank you for the hard work - the most helpful list of oils I've seen on the web! I'm very excited to try hemp seed oil as it seems like it's good for many skin types and is not comedogenic but I'm still unsure...My skin is so strange...It has always been dry and is very, v e r y acne prone. My pores are huge - they take everything in and usually I have to manually get rid of my blackheads every three days(It's interesting that they don't look clogged to other people, but when I start squeezing them...wow, sometimes I wait half a minute for the hole blackhead to get out of my skin LOL Sorry for describying it like that) Sometimes my forehead gets oily but my cheeks stay really dry(which dosn't prevent them from getting clogged) so I guess at certain times my skin type would be described as combination(but this is only when I use cheap moisturizers that form an oily film on top of my skin). There was that one time when I tried camellia oil(Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil) as my normal daily moisturizer and after about a week it broke m out. And I gave up on using oils on my face ever since. But now I'm reeding your list and people''s positive comments about natural oils and how good they can be even for the strangest of skins and I get excited again and I really have some hope. I bought a wonderful aloe vera gel(not 100% all natural aloe but 93% I think and completely safe for using on a daily basis) but I should have known that aloe gel is not really good for retaining moisture, it justs leaves my skin very dry and I'm getting worried. So I want to add an oil after applying my gel and probably I'm going to give hemp seed oil a chance. I'm a college student so I don't really have the money to always try new things and I for sure don't have the money to risk with something that, eventually, I won't be able to use if it's causing me any trouble. Right now I'm treating my skin with some good products and it has started to clear up and it looks smoother and healthier than before. Soon I'm going go start using mild chemical exfoliators in order to reach the deeper layers and I really, really hope that hemp seed oil will help this whole process and it will be a good and completely safe moisturizer. I want this time everything to be alright because my skin has always been the main reason for my low confidence - I have never seen it completely clean like I see other people's, I don't even know the feeling of having perfect, beautiful skin but I suppose it's the best feeling ever ^^. Sorry for writing so much, I just feel a little bit emotional right now - over a skin care product LOL. It really means a lot to me to make the right choice. I hope that oils work good fo everyone that wants to try them, wish you all a beautiful and healthy skin!!!
Tash says
Hi Yanitsa!
I'm so happy you've been enjoying the article! It truly was a labor of love!
Now about your skin, it seems to me that your skin may actually be dehydrated! Do you drink enough electrolyte rich water? You may also want to try using hyaluronic acid when you get the chance. This can be mixed with the aloe gel and the oil you choose to go with. i can definitely understand how frustrating it can be to try new things and they don't work! My advice would be to talk with your local health food store. They will often have very good return policies! I think Amazon also has good return policies, but you will need to double check on that.
Hemp oil seems to be well tolerated by most skin types, so I hope it works out for you! Let me know how things go or if you have more questions 🙂
coran wilson says
I notice on your comedogenic rating that you have not factored in the oil grades to which you are referring, example: coconut oil from the meat is comedogenic but coconut oil from the drupe is not. same with butter, you have done this with all the oils you have graded. also coconut butter from the drupe is not comedogenic
coran wilson says
I notice on your comedogenic rating that you have not factored in the oil grades to which you are referring, example: coconut oil from the meat is comedogenic but coconut oil from the drupe is not. you have done this with all the oils you have graded.
Liz says
Wow! thank you so much for this!
Tash says
You're very welcome Liz! 😀
Launa says
Hi I'm curious to know about tea tree oil?
My mom who is a nurse for 30 years always recommends it for various skin ailments (like types of fungus for instance). I haven't found any information on how it rates along the comedogenic scale yet.
Tash says
Hi Launa!
You don't need to worry about tea tree oil at all 🙂 It's an essential oil and all essential oils have a rating of ZERO! This is because they are essences, not actual oils.
Tia says
Hi there! Thank you so much for taking the time to put together this amazing list! I would like to know if it's ok to do a blend of oils such as: Hemp, Argan, Red Raspberry seed, Blueberry and Rosehip for example. I would like the properties of all theses different oils as a facial moisturizer but didn't know if it changes the composition when blending so many together? Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Tia!
Thank you! This list took DAYS but I'm happy that so much information is in one place 🙂 To answer your question, yes! You can mix the different oils together because you have three base oils (argan, hemp, and rosehip) along with some exotic oils (raspberry and blueberry). You can mix any type of base oils with the exotic oils of your choice to get great mixtures with the qualities you're looking for. Let me know how it goes 🙂
Tia says
Yay, that's great! Thank you so much for responding?
Tash says
You're welcome Tia 🙂 <3
diana says
I am very interested to know why Red Raspberry Seed oil would not be able to be used as a base oil and why rose hip, Argan and Hemp are considered base oils and Red Raspberry is not? Because Red Raspberry has 28 spf, I was hoping to use it as my base, along with some essential oils. If I use a base oil and add Red Raspberry, I will be diluting the strength of its spf capability. Can you advise on this? Thank you, Diana
Tash says
Hi Diana!
I have actually been playing around with raspberry seed oil and have really been loving! I used it at the beach last week and didn't burn at all 🙂 The lovely thing about skin care is you can find what works best for you. If you want to use raspberry seed oil as a base, you most certainly can! Please let me know how it goes!
Lorena says
Hi Tash,
Thank you for taking the time to put together such detailed information.
I wanted to ask about oat oil since I couldn't find it on the list. I started using it just yesturday as I was told that it's very good but I haven't been able to find much information about it online.
Thank you
Lori xox
Tash says
Hi Lorena!
From what I could find, it seems like most oat oils on the market are fairly balanced leaning a bit on the heavier side due to it's vitamin e content. This oil is well suited for dry and flaky skin that needs deep moisture. How has it been working out for you the past few days?
Sara says
HI There. Can you recommend a source for low oleic acid camellia oil? I can't find any that declares whether it is high or low but your rating indicated that there was an option. Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Sara!
I was looking for a place where you could actually buy low oleic acid camellia oil and I can't find a single one! However, what you CAN do is infuse a different oil with an organic loose leaf green tea and get similar properties from it. All you need to do is take hemp seed oil for example, and pour 2oz over 1 tsp of green tea and let it infuse in a sunny place for at least 1-4 weeks. Strain it and it's ready for use!
sara says
Sweet! Thank you so much for that witchy tip! Love it!
Tash says
You're welcome! 🙂
Erin says
I'm confused! For oily acne prone skin research recommends using oils with 0 comedogenic ratings, high in linoleic acid and low in oleic acid. But most of the oils listed here that work best for acne prone skin for example sandalwood, pumpkin seed and neem oil seem to differ. What would you recommend for oily sensitive acne prone skin that scars easily. That wont clog pores?? I used coconut oil and although it healed my skin to almost flawless in the beginning, it clogged my pores so bad and made it worse than before i used it. Including cystic acne thats out of control. I also seem to be one of the lucky people that does not do well with shea butter, as it too makes me break out. Please help. Thanks.
Tash says
Hi Erin!
I can totally understand the confusion! I did so much research on these it was mind-melting. What I do know is, your skin is going to react differently that some people based on the condition of your skin's outer most layer, its PH, and a whole slew of other complicated factors. What may have happened with the coconut oil is your skin's outer most layer became balanced but then reverted due to coconut oil's linoleic and oleic acid ratio. This makes things tricky and makes it seem like oils with these ratios are totally comedogenic. That is not always the case because it really depends on that acid mantle. Is your skin dehydrated? This is very different than feeling dry. Often the pores will look stretched and elongated compared to pores elsewhere on the skin. This stretched out shape indicates dehydration. If your pores are round that means they are clogged and so you would need an oil that is thinner and absorbs quickly like hemp seed oil. I have very acne prone, sensitive, and oily skin and hemp seed oil works well for me. I try to stay hydrated and use hyaluronic acid to help seal in moisture because my skin tends to be dehydrated.
Anyways, I know it's confusing and I'm learning more and more everyday. I hope this helps at any rate 🙂 Let me know if you have more questions! <3
dhruti says
hey i ve faced same situation as erin .. but i ve read somewhere that shea butter is very good for acne prone skin. and it has 0 non comedogenic rating. so i m confused wether to use shea butter as my daily moisturizer or not because i read it in so many sites. need help..
Tash says
Hi Dhruti!
Shea butter works for many skin types especially dry dehydrated skin. And you're right! It has a comedogenic rating of ZERO 🙂
ellen says
This was really useful Thank you!
Ive been having the absolute worst tube trying to find detailed ingredient profile for organic/natural skin care the most I can find is a snippet about what each oil does or detailed profiles of the plants medicinal uses.
Do you know of wear I can find detailed skin care oils/ingredient profiles ? Ty!
Tash says
Hi Ellen!
Have you heard of the EWG Group? You may find what you're looking for there! You can find them here. Let me know if this wasn't what you were thinking! <3
Brenna says
LOVE this page! Thanks for doing all the research.
I am trying to find a non-comedogenic exfoliator that isn't a mainstream brand, mostly because, as I understand it, to use the phrase "non-comedogenic", there must be animal testing.
Anyway, on iHerb there are several interesting ones, all with a variety of low-non-com oils. One has FIVE different citrus oils in it, and that seems to be the one family of oils that doesn't appear in your fabulous list: lemon, lime, clementine, grapefruit, tangerine, and orange.
Any ideas how these fare? Many thanks,
Brenna Pavey
Tash says
Hi Brenna!
Are you talking about citrus essential oils? If so, all essential oils are non-comedogenic 🙂 Also, I haven't heard about the animal testing issue 🙁 I'll have to look further into this!
Saloni says
Thanks for putting up this great list. I could choose my oils based on the information provided in this list.
I have a question on hazelnut oil. Can hazelnut oil be applied directly to the skin as moisturizer?
Tash says
Hi Saloni!
You can definitely use hazelnut oil straight on the skin 🙂 Let me know how it works out for you!
Saloni says
Thanks Tash. I will try it out.
HILDE LEEPER says
would like to find organic source of those oils
Tash says
Hi Hilde,
Which organic non comedic oils are you looking for?
Amber says
As a budding aromatherapist I found this article so very helpful and inspiring! It spurred some new blending ideas and intrigues me to try some oils I have not yet gotten to know. Thank you for taking this on and sharing with us!
Tash says
You are so very welcome Amber! I'm happy that this is helpful for you 😀
RecipestoNourish says
Wow this is AWESOME!!! I'm happy to hear jojoba is lower because that's what I use. I love castor and argan too. I used to use coconut oil but it didn't do well with my skin, now I know why. Thanks Tash!
Tash says
You're very welcome Emily!! <3
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
This is such a great list! I can never keep this stuff straight thank you for laying it out so easily!
Tash says
You're very welcome Kelli! 🙂
Elaina Newton (@TheRisingSpoon) says
What a magnificent resource! I will definitely bookmark this to look back through again and again. Oh, and I'd love to know more about infusing aloe in a carrier oil if you've tried it!
Tash says
Hi Elaina!
All you have to do to make aloe oil is pick a carrier oil suitable for your skin type and add fresh aloe gel (make sure to mush it up to increase its surface area). You can either infuse it in a jar in the sun or very gently simmer it in a double boiler for a few hours. I personally prefer the folk method and just use good ol' sunlight 🙂 If you do it it this way, allow the oil to infuse for at least a week before staining, and there you have it, homemade aloe oil! 😀
Lindsey Dietz says
There are SO many oils on here I've never even heard of! Blueberry seed oil?? Who knew! Pinned!
Tash says
Hi Lindsey!
It all started out as fun and games between my husband and I. He just kept rattling off the most ridiculous sounding oils and what do you know...they actually exist! I had to ask him to stop because I had a list that was way too long to start with...HA!
Marjorie says
Wow! What a great list! Thanks for sharing.
Tash says
Thank you Marjorie! I hope you found it helpful 🙂
Serena says
Hi there,
This is my first time writing on one of these sites.
Just wondering, I have a skin issue called acne vulgaris which is a type of acne but its spread out on my legs only. Its acne pimples with ingrown hairs. Just wondering what oils/type of oils to use as I have extremely dehydrated, dry & very sensitive skin.
I want oils that are intensely nourishing & suitable for acne. (Non-oily acne)
I love the properties of Moroccan oils like kalahari melon seed oil, argan oil, marula oil, mongongo oil
Can you recommend some that are suitable?
Tash says
Hi Serena!
I'm wondering if there is anything you put on your legs on a regular basis? Do you use shaving cream or a certain type of razor on that area? When did you start noticing this issue? Any changes that you can think of that may be linked to what's causing it? Having acne on the legs isn't very common and can usually be traced to clothing and products so I just want to be sure!
serena says
I have had acne with ingrown hairs all over my legs for about 10 years now.Most have left ark marks after being squeezed
It started when I first used cream wax instead of honey wax for waxing.
My legs and rest of body is dehydrated skin, very itchy and irritated easily - very sensitive skin
I dont know what oils to use
Serena says
I want to know 1) what oils will reduce the acne scars & 2) deeply moisturise dehydrated skin to remove the dehydration from the core so theres long term hydration
I like the sound of Marula, Baobab, Kalahari, Argan
What do these do for dry, acneic body skin?
serena says
What oil is the best to use to get rid of acne marks or scars left from picking ingrown hairs?
Liah says
Hi there!
I have had this same issue my whole life (literally since about 10 years old) and my sister has it even worse! We no longer shave EVER, we only wax though this only minimizes the problem, it does not get rid of it. My sister was told be her dermatologist that it is a combination issue including a particular kind of staph (yes we all carry it on our skin) immune reaction.
What I have found helpful is witch hazel and argan oil. I do still experiment and I do different kinds of witch hazel/essential oil toners and then argan infusions w/essential oil mixes as a moisturizer. Frankly the best mitigator is (ugh) SUNSHINE!! But as I am 40 I am trying to stay out of it entirely nowadays. Hope this helps you too. I know what a trial this is to live with. Bathing suits are a B*&#$!!
Serena says
Hi
Im looking for oils that are for very sensitive, dry, dehydrated skin with acne on the body to use to restore moisture, smooth to reduce keratosis pilaris and remove dry scaly looking skin and make it look younger.
I like natural oils and butters but not sure which do the above?
shelley says
Hi,
Thankyou for your list.
I want to make a facial serum bar for acne prone skin. I know the oils i will use, however im not to sure about whcih butters to use.
I had been thinking mango and shea butter. Or have you any other suggestions please.
Raina Biala says
Hi Tash,
Thank you for the info in the post. Its really helpful. But i have realized that the info in the blog is different to as on the excel. For Example: Argaan Oil Comedogenic Rating is 0 in the Excel and 3 in the blog description . Can you please clarify which one is the updated info.
Tash says
Hi Raina! Go with the blog description 🙂 I'll need to fix the excel sheet!