comedogen

9.9

A substance that clogs skin pores and often causes acne

noun
/ˌkoʊməˈdʒɛn/

Specialized

: comedogénico

If you have oily skin, check the ingredients for any comedogen that might exacerbate acne.

Examples

Avoid products with comedogens if you have sensitive skin.
Some lotions contain a high level of comedogen.
Dermatologists often test cosmetics for comedogen content before recommending them to acne-prone patients.
Many skincare products avoid using any comedogen to reduce the risk of breakouts.
Dermatologists often test cosmetics for comedogen content to help prevent acne in their patients.
If you have oily skin, look for skincare products that are free of comedogen to avoid breakouts.
Many skincare brands formulate their products to exclude comedogen in order to minimize the risk of clogged pores.

Synonyms

comedogenic substance

vscomedogen

Specialized

7.9

A substance that clogs skin pores and can cause acne

is the same meaning but in a shorter technical form

comedogenic ingredient

vscomedogen

Specialized

7.9

An ingredient that clogs skin pores and can cause acne or blackheads

refers more broadly to any substance that can clog pores rather than only product ingredients

pore clogging ingredient

vscomedogen

6.7

An ingredient in skin products that can block pores and cause acne

uses a technical label that names the same pore blocking tendency

How Comedogenic

comedogen

Specialized

9.9

comedogenic ingredient

Specialized

7.9

Surface Forms

comedogen singular

comedogens plural

Morphology

comedogen = comedo (opaque) = comedo + gen

The formation is regular (comedo + -gen 'producer'), but both 'comedo' and the combining form '-gen' are technical/medical and unfamiliar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Comedogen comes from comedo, the medical name for a blackhead and from a Latin root meaning 'to eat', plus -gen, a part meaning 'to produce' as in generate. So a comedogen is an ingredient that 'produces' comedones — it helps block skin pores and can cause acne.