Is Aquaphor comedogenic?

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Grades from the 1989 and 1984 rabbit-ear papers, never estimated.
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The lab sheet

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  2. 2Lab sheet
  3. 3Meaning
Rabbit-ear gradesFulton 1989 & 1984 tables
Tap a row for its notes.
What this means

What it means

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Sources, opened and read Nov 8, 2026

    Everything in this tool, in full

    AnswerUnlikely for most people. The brand says it is clinically proven non-comedogenic. Its main ingredient, petrolatum, didn’t clog pores in rabbit-ear tests; mineral oil and lanolin alcohol ranged from 0 to 2 out of 5, depending on the source.

    If your skin is acne-prone, the American Academy of Dermatology still advises keeping petroleum jelly off your face, because it may cause breakouts in some people.

    Pore checkFulton 1989 & 1984 tables · 228 ingredients
    Highest lab rating2 ratings ranged 0–2Mixed
    Read7 ingredients
    In the table6 of 7
    HighestMineral Oil 0–2, Lanolin Alcohol 0–2*
    Not in the tableBisabolol
    • Petrolatum (41%)0
    • Mineral Oil0–2
    • Ceresin0
    • Lanolin Alcohol0–2*
    • Panthenol0
    • Glycerin0
    • Bisabolol—
    Mineral Oil
    Pore rating 0–2 / 5 · irritation 0 / 5

    A range, not one grade: results went from 0 to 2, which the author read as not significant (0–1) up to borderline (2–3).

    Lanolin Alcohol
    Pore rating 0–2* / 5 · irritation 0 / 5

    A range, not one grade: results went from 0 to 2, which the author read as not significant (0–1) up to borderline (2–3). The researcher noted this result depends on the raw material’s source.

    What the brand says, and what the studies say

    Brand claim

    “Clinically proven”

    Aquaphor’s US site says the ointment is clinically proven to be non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). “Non-comedogenic” has no FDA definition, so each brand tests it in its own way.

    Main ingredient

    Petrolatum, 41%

    Usually not. Petrolatum scored 0 out of 5 in a rabbit-ear test, and in a small study 10 people with acne used it twice a day for 8 weeks with no pore clogging. Still, the American Academy of Dermatology advises people with acne-prone skin to keep it off the face, because it may cause breakouts in some people.

    Mineral oil and lanolin alcohol

    Mixed results: 0 to 2

    Both ranged from 0 to 2 out of 5 in the 1989 rabbit-ear table, between what its author read as not significant (0–1) and borderline (2–3). For mineral oil, he wrote that some sources were acceptable and others were not; for lanolin alcohol, the result depended on the raw material’s source. Lanolin can also cause skin allergies in some people.

    The limits

    Lab ratings aren’t your face

    A study on human backs found the rabbit ear more sensitive than human skin. Another found that finished products containing a “comedogenic” ingredient were not necessarily comedogenic. Concentration and the rest of the formula matter.

    Check another product

    Paste any ingredient list in the comedogenic checker, or open a quick answer: petrolatum (Vaseline) · coconut oil · glycerin · squalane · beeswax · mineral oil · lanolin.

    Full table: 228 ingredients

    228 ingredients shown

    IngredientPoresIrritation
    A & D Additive20
    Acetone00
    Acetylated Lanolin00
    Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol42
    Alcohol Denat.SD alcohol 4000
    Allantoin00
    Almond OilSweet almond oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil2 (refined: 1)0
    Amoniomethylpropinate00
    Apricot Kernel OilPrunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil2 (refined: 1)0
    Arachidic AcidEicosanoic acid20
    Ascorbyl Palmitate20
    Avocado OilPersea gratissima (avocado) oil3 (refined: 2)0
    Babassu OilOrbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil10
    BeeswaxCera alba, White beeswax0–2*0
    Behenic AcidDocosanoic acid00
    Behenyl Erucate00
    Behenyl Triglyceride00
    Bentonite00
    Benzophenone-3Oxybenzone00
    Black Walnut Extract00
    Butyl Stearate30
    Butylene Glycol10
    Candelilla WaxEuphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax10
    Capric AcidDecanoic acid22
    Caprylic AcidOctanoic acid13
    Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlyceryl tricapylo/caprate, Glyceryl tricaprylate/caprate11
    Carbomer 940Carbomer10
    CarboxymethylcelluloseCellulose gum, CMC00
    Carboxypropylcellulose10
    CarmineCI 75470, Cochineal00
    Carnauba WaxCarnuba wax, Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax10
    Castor OilRicinus communis (castor) seed oil10
    CeresinCeresin wax00
    Ceteareth-20Ceteareth 2023
    Cetearyl AlcoholCetostearyl alcohol21
    Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth-20 (blend)Cetearyl alcohol + ceteareth 2041
    Cetyl Acetate42
    Cetyl Alcohol22
    Cetyl EstersCetyl ester NF11
    Cetyl Palmitate00
    Chamomile Extract00
    Chaulmoogra Oil10
    Cholesterol00
    Choleth-24Choleth 2400
    Chondroitin Sulfate00
    Chromium Hydroxide GreenChromium hydroxide, Chrominum hydroxide, CI 772890–1—
    Cocoa ButterTheobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, Theobroma cacao seed butter40
    Coconut Butter40
    Colloidal Sulfur3—
    Corn OilZea mays (corn) oil30
    Cottonseed OilCotton seed oil, Gossypium herbaceum (cotton) seed oil32
    Cyclomethicone00
    D&C Red No. 17D&C Red 17, Red 1730
    D&C Red No. 19D&C Red 19, Red 1920
    D&C Red No. 2D&C Red 23—
    D&C Red No. 21D&C Red 21, Red 2120
    D&C Red No. 27D&C Red 27, Red 2720
    D&C Red No. 3D&C Red 3, Red 330
    D&C Red No. 30D&C Red 30, Red 3030
    D&C Red No. 33D&C Red 33, Red 3312
    D&C Red No. 36D&C Red 36, Red 3630
    D&C Red No. 4D&C Red 4, Red 421
    D&C Red No. 40D&C Red 4022
    D&C Red No. 6D&C Red 6, Red 610
    D&C Red No. 7D&C Red 7, Red 710
    D&C Red No. 9D&C Red 9, Red 910
    Decyl Oleate30
    Diethylhexyl SuccinateDi (2 ethylhexyl) succinate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) succinate20
    Diisopropyl Adipate00
    Diisopropyl Dimerate00
    Dimethicone10
    Dioctyl MalateDiethylhexyl malate31
    Dioctyl Succinate32
    Emulsifying Wax NFEmulsifying wax00–2*
    EthoxydiglycolDiethylene glycol monoethyl ether00
    Ethoxylated Lanolin3—
    Ethyl EtherDiethyl ether00
    Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl EtherEGME, 2-Methoxyethanol00
    Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABAOctyl dimethyl PABA, Padimate O00
    Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateOctyl methoxycinnamate, Octinoxate00
    Ethylhexyl PalmitateOctyl palmitate, 2-Ethylhexyl palmitate40
    Ethylhexyl PelargonateOctyl pelargonate23
    Ethylhexyl SalicylateOctyl salicylate, Octisalate00
    Evening Primrose OilOenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil32
    Glucose Glutamate00
    Glycereth-2600
    GlycerinGlycerol, Glycerine00
    Glyceryl Stearate (non-self-emulsifying)Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl stearate NSE, Glyceryl monostearate10
    Glyceryl Stearate SEGlyceryl stearate self-emulsifying32
    Glyceryl-3-DiisostearateGlyceryl-3-diisostearate40
    Glycol StearateEthylene glycol monostearate00
    Hectorite1—
    Hexylene Glycol0–2*0–1
    Hydrogenated Castor OilCastor wax10
    Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneHydrogenated polyisobutane12
    Hydrogenated Vegetable OilCrisco30
    Hydrolyzed Animal Protein00
    HydroxypropylcelluloseHydroxypropyl cellulose10
    Iron OxidesCI 77491, CI 77492, CI 7749900
    Isocetyl Alcohol44
    Isodecyl Oleate2–3*1–2
    Isopropyl AlcoholIsopropanol00
    Isopropyl Isostearate50
    Isopropyl LinoleateIsopropyl linolate42
    Isopropyl MyristateIPM53
    Isopropyl PalmitateIPP41
    Isostearyl Isostearate41
    Isostearyl Neopentanoate33
    Jojoba OilSimmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Jojoba seed oil0–2*0
    KaolinChina clay00
    Laneth-10Laneth 1021
    LanolinAnhydrous lanolin, Wool fat, Wool wax0–1*0
    Lanolin AlcoholWool wax alcohol0–2*0
    Lanolin Oil0–1*0
    Lanolin Wax10
    Laureth-23Laureth 2330
    Laureth-4Laureth 454
    Lauric AcidDodecanoic acid41
    Lithium Stearate10
    Magnesium Aluminum Silicate00
    Magnesium Stearate10
    Maleated Soybean Oil00
    MethylparabenMethyl paraben00
    Mineral OilParaffinum liquidum, Liquid paraffin0–20
    Mink Oil3 (refined: 2)1
    Myristic AcidTetradecanoic acid30
    Myristyl Alcohol24
    Myristyl Lactate42
    Myristyl Myristate52
    Octyldodecyl Stearate00
    Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate00
    Oleth-10Oleth 1021
    Oleth-20Oleth 2010
    Oleth-3Oleth 352
    Oleth-3 PhosphateOleth 3 phosphate22
    Oleth-5Oleth 532
    Oleyl Alcohol42
    Olive OilOlea europaea (olive) fruit oil2 (refined: 1)0
    Palmitic AcidHexadecanoic acid20
    PanthenolProvitamin B5, D-panthenol00
    Papain00
    Peanut OilArachis hypogaea (peanut) oil, Groundnut oil20
    PEG-10 Soya SterolPeg 10 soya sterol, PEG-10 soy sterol01
    PEG-100 DistearatePEG 100 distearate20
    PEG-100 StearatePEG 100 stearate00
    PEG-120 Methyl Glucose DioleatePEG 120 methyl glucose dioleate00
    PEG-150 DistearatePEG 150 distearate20
    PEG-16 LanolinPEG 16 lanolin, Solulan 1643
    PEG-20 StearatePEG 20 stearate10
    PEG-200 DilauratePEG 200 dilaurate32
    PEG-40 Castor OilPEG 40 castor oil00
    PEG-40 Sorbitan LauratePEG 40 sorbitan laurate00
    PEG-5 Soya SterolPeg 5 soya sterol, PEG-5 soy sterol00
    PEG-6Polyethylene glycol 300, PEG 300, Polythylene glycol 3001—
    PEG-75 LanolinPEG 75 lanolin00
    PEG-78 Glyceryl CocoatePEG 78 glyceryl monococoate01
    PEG-8Polyethylene glycol 400, PEG 40010
    PEG-8 Castor OilPEG 8 castor oil11
    PEG-8 StearatePEG 8 stearate31
    Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/TetracapratePentaerythrital tetra capra/caprylate00
    Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearatePentaerythrital tetra isostearate20
    PetrolatumPetroleum jelly, White petrolatum, Vaseline0—
    PG Caprylate/CapratePropylene glycol caprylate/caprate22
    PhenoxyethylparabenPhenoxyethyl paraben00
    Phytantriol22
    Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearatePolyglyceryl-3-diisostearate40
    Polypentaerythrital Tetralaurate00
    Polysorbate 2000
    Polysorbate 8000
    PPG 30 Cetyl Ester00
    PPG 50 Cetyl Ester00
    PPG-10 Cetyl EtherPPG 10 cetyl ether31
    PPG-12-PEG-65 Lanolin OilPPG 12 PEG 65 lanolin oil20
    PPG-2 Myristyl Ether PropionatePPG 2 myristyl propionate, PPG-2 myristyl propionate32
    PPG-5-Ceteth-10 PhosphatePPG 5 ceteth 10 phosphate42
    Propylene GlycolPG00
    Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicapratePG dicaprylate/caprate10
    Propylene Glycol DipelargonatePG dipelargonate22
    Propylene Glycol LauratePG laurate03
    Propylene Glycol StearatePG monostearate, Propylene glycol monostearate0–30–1
    PropylparabenPropyl paraben00
    PVPPolyvinylpyrrolidone00
    Retinyl PalmitateVitamin A palmitate1–3*1–3*
    Safflower OilCarthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil00
    Sandalwood Seed Oil20
    Sesame OilSesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil3 (refined: 1)0
    Shark Liver Oil32
    Simethicone10
    Sodium Hyaluronate00
    Sodium Lauryl SulfateSLS5—
    Sodium PCA00
    Sorbitan Isostearate1–2*0
    Sorbitan Laurate1–2*1–2
    Sorbitan Oleate30
    Sorbitan SesquioleateSorbitan sesquinoleate0–1*0
    Sorbitan Stearate01
    Sorbitol00
    Soya SterolSoy sterol00
    Soybean OilGlycine soja (soybean) oil, Soy oil30
    Squalane10
    Steareth-10Steareth 1043
    Steareth-100Steareth 10000
    Steareth-2Steareth 222
    Steareth-20Steareth 2021
    Stearic AcidOctadecanoic acid2–3*0
    Stearic Acid:TEAStearic acid: TEA, TEA-stearate, Triethanolamine stearate32
    Stearyl Alcohol22
    Stearyl Heptanoate40
    Sterol Esters00
    Sucrose Distearate02
    Sucrose Stearate00
    Sulfated Castor OilTurkey red oil3—
    Sulfated Jojoba Oil32
    Sulfur (precipitated)Precipitated sulfur00
    Sunflower OilHelianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Sunflower seed oil00
    Talc10
    Titanium DioxideCI 7789100
    TocopherolVitamin E0–3*0–3*
    Tocopheryl AcetateVitamin E acetate00
    Triacetin00
    Tridecyl NeopentanoateTridectyl neopentanoate03
    TriethanolamineTEA20
    Ultramarine VioletCI 7700700
    Water-Soluble Sulfur30
    Wheat Germ GlyceridesWheat germ glyceride32
    Xylene43
    Zinc Oxide10
    Zinc Stearate00

    * The researcher noted the result depends on the raw material’s source. “Refined” = the refined oil scored lower. Grades are from Fulton 1989, except petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate and 7 others, which come from Fulton 1984.

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    Questions people ask

    Can I put Aquaphor on my face if I have acne?

    Its main ingredient, petrolatum, didn’t clog pores in rabbit-ear tests, mineral oil and lanolin alcohol ranged from 0 to 2 depending on the source, and the brand says it is non-comedogenic. But the American Academy of Dermatology advises people with acne-prone skin to avoid petroleum jelly on the face, because it may cause breakouts in some people. Try a small area first.

    Is Aquaphor the same as Vaseline?

    No. Vaseline jelly is 100% white petrolatum. Aquaphor is 41% petrolatum plus mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol.

    Does Aquaphor contain lanolin?

    Yes, lanolin alcohol. It scored 0 to 2 for pores in the 1989 lab table, depending on the raw material’s source, and lanolin can cause skin allergies in some people.

    Sources

    12 sources · Last reviewed November 8, 2026

    • Ingredient list from the FDA label
    How we check

    DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov

    American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org

    DermNetdermnetnz.org

    Studies and other sources