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Glite Dictionary
comedogenic substance

comedogenic substance

7.9
A substance that clogs skin pores and can cause acne
  • noun
  • /ˌkoʊməˈdʒɛnɪk ˈsʌbstəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sustancia comedogénica
  • Many moisturizers contain a comedogenic substance that can trigger breakouts.

Examples

  • Dermatologists warn that using a comedogenic substance can worsen acne-prone skin.

  • She avoided any comedogenic substance in her skincare routine to prevent breakouts.

  • Always check product labels to see if they contain a comedogenic substance before use.

  • Avoid using any comedogenic substance in your skincare routine.

  • Always check product labels to see if they contain a comedogenic substance before use.

  • Dermatologists warn that using a comedogenic substance can worsen acne-prone skin.

  • She avoided any comedogenic substance in her skincare routine to prevent breakouts.

Synonyms

comedogen
vscomedogenic substance
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance that clogs skin pores and often causes acne

is the fuller descriptive phrase for that same skin substance
comedogenic ingredient
vscomedogenic substance
  • Specialized
7.9

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

is broader, covering any substance that can clog pores and cause acne
pore clogging ingredient
vscomedogenic substance
6.7

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

is used more generally for any substance likely to clog pores and cause acne

Surface Forms

comedogenic substance singular
comedogenic substances plural

Morphology

comedogenic + substance

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'comedogenic' means 'blocks pores/causes comedones' and 'substance' means 'material', so together they denote a material that clogs pores and can cause acne. The meaning is fully compositional and follows normal English morphology, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words can infer the phrase's meaning.

Etymology

Comedogenic substance comes from the word comedo, which means a small skin plug or blackhead, and a word part that means 'causing'. Picture a cream that makes tiny clogs in skin pores like blocked pipes, so the phrase means 'likely to cause acne by clogging pores'.