Are you checking your client's makeup for comedogenic ingredients?

Last night, I had a client who we've have seen in our clinic for a long time. She was complaining to me about breaking out still (not nearly what she used to have....). See my blog post for her before and after pictures.

When someone is still breaking out, I become the acne detective. I start asking them about things that could contribute to their acne. Even though we make a BIG deal about pore-clogging ingredients in makeup when they have their consultation with us, inevitably they will start using makeup without consulting their list of comedogenic ingredients that we give to them. (and on our website).

So, at the end of the session, she gave me her liquid foundation and I was able to get a list of ingredients off the internet. Here's the list:

Ingredients: Water, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol Monostearate, Bentonite, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Kaolin, Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate, Benzophenone, T.E.A., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Isoproyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Aloe Vera Gel, Sodium Caboxymethyl Cellulose, Methylparaben, May Contain:, Iron Oxides. Fragrance Free. Hypoallergenic Not Tested On Animals.

So you can see, there are THREE major comedogenic ingredients in this formulation. Ayiiyiiiiyiiii. No wonder she is chronically breaking out! According to Dr. Fulton, it can take up to six months for comedogenic ingredients to show up as acne.

To say the least, I was very upset with her..... but, it reminded me that you always have to check in with your acne clients to make sure they aren't making their situation worse!

Before and after pictures of this client.

Comedogenic Ingredients List

Tags: acne, comedogenic, makeup

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Beth Davis on February 10, 2011 at 3:57pm

WOW! I reviewed the list of ingredients and have found COCONUT oil on this list! I used to use coconut oil in a lot of what I cook to add fat to my diet! I stopped about 2 months ago but I've been having chronic bumpy skin for months and had no idea that this could be the culprit. I thought it was hormones because of my age or the new skin care products which claim to be NON-comedogenic. Is it possible my previous cooking habits are showing now and STILL??

Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on February 10, 2011 at 4:12pm

@Beth - no, eating coconut oil is not the same as putting it on your skin. Eating it is not a problem for acne. Many "organic" skin care lines use coconut oil in their formations, so beware. Also, comedogenicity is NOT regulated by the FDA, so anyone can say anthing on their label. You wouldn't believe how many products I have found that say "won't clog pores" or "noncomedogenic" on their labels and yet there are many comedogenic ingredients in the forumlation. Crazy!!

Permalink Reply by Pamela Cantor on February 14, 2011 at 12:53pm

FDA . . . yawn . . . claims, true or false, aren't regulated. Claims for purity, totally "natural," fewer wrinkles in 7 days, etc., etc. Or how about "full-spectrum sunscreen" that's not. And, speaking of sunscreen when are we going to get the updated sunscreen guidelines? We're still waiting years later for the FDAs recommendations. It's totally up to us estys to know our ingredients, play detective and make the call for our clients who will, occasionally, treat us as if we're the ones who don't know what we're talking about . . . especially when the acne from which they've suffered for 15-20 years doesn't disappear in a couple of weeks! It's Monday morning and I'm grumpy!!!

Permalink Reply by Beth Davis on February 14, 2011 at 11:57pm

Oh MONDAY!!! Happy HEART DAY!! Laura, thank you for the clarification. I think I am suffering from a combination of problems. I returned to a skin care line for acne I used previously and in 24 hours I'm seeing GREAT results. Now for the lingering superficial bumps...I don't know. But I am playing detective in my medicine cabinet and products.

Pamela, products claims are running wild! It is so true that our job is to do the detective work ourselves. Do you know of any websites or companies that assist in clearing up the confusion? I've been reading information from the Environmental Working Group and they seem to have a lot of information, but nothing definite. As for sun protection....my advice....wear a big valuptious hat in a bright color with some fancy sunglasses! Works for me!

Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on February 15, 2011 at 2:41pm

@Beth - what skin care line are you using? also, watch out for Environmental Working Group.. they are controversial. Lots of scare tactics - if you want more information about that I can find it and post it.