Beauty Elixir

Synthetic ester

Is Butyl Stearate comedogenic?

Comedogenic rating 3/5

Yes, it is pore-clogging.

An emollient ester used in nail and lip products.

Comedogenic
3 / 5
Irritancy
0 / 5
Fungal acne
Trigger
Type
Synthetic ester
INCI name
Butyl Stearate
Also listed as
Butyl Octadecanoate

Who should avoid it?

Avoid in leave-on face products if you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin. It is usually fine on the body, in rinse-off products, or on very dry skin that does not break out.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Butyl Stearate comedogenic?

Yes, it is pore-clogging. Butyl Stearate has a comedogenic rating of 3 out of 5. An emollient ester used in nail and lip products.

Is Butyl Stearate safe for fungal acne?

No. Butyl Stearate can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.

Does Butyl Stearate cause acne?

It can. Ingredients rated 3–5 are frequently linked to clogged pores and breakouts in acne-prone people, especially in leave-on products.

What are other names for Butyl Stearate?

On labels it can also appear as Butyl Octadecanoate.

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