Beauty Elixir

Fatty alcohol

Is Isocetyl Alcohol comedogenic?

Comedogenic rating 4/5

Yes, it is pore-clogging.

A branched fatty alcohol used as an emollient.

Comedogenic
4 / 5
Irritancy
0 / 5
Fungal acne
Safe
Type
Fatty alcohol
INCI name
Isocetyl Alcohol
Also listed as
Isopalmityl Alcohol

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.

Non-comedogenic swaps

Swap toRatingFungal acne
Cetyl Alcohol2/5Safe

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Frequently asked questions

Is Isocetyl Alcohol comedogenic?

Yes, it is pore-clogging. Isocetyl Alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5. A branched fatty alcohol used as an emollient.

Is Isocetyl Alcohol safe for fungal acne?

Yes. Isocetyl Alcohol is not a known Malassezia (fungal acne) trigger.

Does Isocetyl Alcohol 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 Isocetyl Alcohol?

On labels it can also appear as Isopalmityl Alcohol.

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