If you’ve read the packaging on your skincare products in detail, you might have noticed that the label often says non-comedogenic. Ever wondered what that means? Here is an overview of what non-comedogenic means, its prominence in skincare items and why it should be a vital part of your beauty products.
What does non-comedogenic mean?
A comedo (or comedones, as the case may be) is a type of pimple or lesion or a mild form of acne that forms on the skin. In simple terms comedo is the term that is used to describe a blocked or a clogged pore. Hence, when the packaging on a skincare or cosmetic product says ‘non-comedogenic’, it means that the product has been formulated in a manner that does not cause blocked pores.
But before we move on to more details about non-comedogenic products and why they are beneficial to your skincare, let’s first find out what are pores, their functions and how blocked pores can cause skin problems.
What are pores?
Pores are present all over the body but are more noticeable on parts of the face like the forehead and nose. They are tiny openings on the surface of the skin which are actually openings of hair follicles (sacs beneath the skin where the hair root is present). Each pore contains a sebaceous gland or oil gland, which produces the skin’s oils.
Pores are of two types:
·Oil pores –
oil pores are hair follicles that are present all over the skin except the palms and soles of the feet. When people say they have blocked or clogged pores they mean oil pores.
·Sweat pores –
Sweat pores are miniscule, not easily visible to the naked eye but are present all over the skin.
What is the function of pores?
The pores have an important job of keeping the skin lubricated. The hair follicle allows the oil generated by the sebaceous gland to reach the surface of the skin and lubricate it. The skin has a natural oil called the sebum which helps keep the skin moisturized, soft and supple. Adequate production of sebum and normal functioning of pores is essential for healthy skin.
The main function of sweat is to keep the body temperature regulated by evaporative cooling. So, like the oil pores, the sweat pores also allow sweat to pass from the sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) to the surface of the skin.
Problems caused due to blocked pores
Normally the pores flush out excess oil, dead skin cells and other toxins from the skin. But when this process is disturbed and excess sebum is produced by the body, the oil combines with dead cells and other pollutants getting trapped in the hair follicle and clogging pores. This can cause the skin to break out in pimples, a comedo, or acne. Acne is a pore blockage blemish as are small pimples, blackheads etc. Sweat pore blockages generally cause heat rash or prickly heat.
So now that we have a fair idea of what pores are and how blocked pores can cause skin and hair problems, let’s find out how using non-comedogenic skincare products can keep your skin clear and healthy.
What is a non-comedogenic product?
As mentioned above, non-comedogenic on the product label means a skincare product that does not cause blocked pores or reduces potential blockages of the visible pores, helping your skin retain its clear, glowing look.
So how to determine if the product is really non-comedogenic?
·Lab test with participants –
Cosmetic manufacturers test the skincare product in the lab under the supervision of dermatologists to gauge if the product is non-comedogenic. In testing, people with oily or combination skin are specially enlisted to check if there is any increase in comedones. After testing, if no negative effect is found on the skin of the participants, the product is identified as non-comedogenic.
·Read the label carefully –
if the user has sensitive skin and is prone to skin breakouts, buying a non-comedogenic product is beneficial. But read the packaging label carefully to ensure that the product you are purchasing is truly non-comedogenic. Check if any ingredients listed in the label have a score of less than 2 on the comedogenicity scale; if yes, then they are probably non-comedogenic.
Why is it beneficial to use non-comedogenic skincare products?
Although most ingredients used in beauty products are well tested and monitored before application and are deemed to be safe, people with different skin types will react differently to the same product. So it is advisable that the skincare product used comes with a non-comedogenic label.
No clogged pores –
using a non-comedogenic cosmetic skincare product will ensure that your skin does not suffer from clogged pores. Blocked pores cause blemishes, making your skin uneven and rough.
Lesser oil accumulation –
open pores mean that the oil does not stay on the surface of the skin and that excess oil or sebum is flushed out of the skin regularly.
Less chance of developing skin problems – with open pores and no oil accumulation, the skin stays hydrated which reducing the chances of pimples, acne or other skin blemishes such as blackheads breaking out on the surface of the skin.
Soft, healthy skin – including non-comedogenic beauty products in your skincare routine will mean that the chances of skin problems is greatly reduced, leaving your skin soft, supple, moisturized and healthy and looking its best.
Acne skincare tips
Skin & hair care tips to reduce Acne cosmetica
Skin care tips for dehydrated skin with clogged pores
Video of the day
We hope this article on non-comedogenic products and its benefits was informative. Do not hesitate to contact your dermatologist/skin care expert for all your skin troubles on https://www.skinandhairacademy.in/
