- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- Polysorbate 20
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
Polysorbate 20 scores 0/5, so it is one of the ingredients acne-prone skin can use freely, though it is still a fungal-acne trigger. If a product containing it breaks you out, look at the other ingredients. Our scanner will flag them.
Products that contain Polysorbate 20
- CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Mamaearth Vitamin C Face Wash with Vitamin C and Turmeric for Skin Illumination
- Minimalist Ceramides 0.3% + Madecassoside Moisturizer
- Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
- Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner
- The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Polysorbate 20 comedogenic?
Polysorbate 20 has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. A mild emulsifier and solubiliser. It is not considered pore-clogging, but it is a classic fungal-acne trigger.
Is Polysorbate 20 safe for fungal acne?
No. Polysorbate 20 can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Polysorbate 20 cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.