Is squalane comedogenic?

In Fulton’s rabbit-ear test, squalane scored 1 out of 5 for comedogenicity, and 0 out of 5 for irritation. On Fulton’s own scale, 0–1 is not significant, 2–3 borderline, and 4–5 positive.

These grades come from rabbit ears: the ingredient applied daily, five days a week for two weeks, usually diluted to 10% in propylene glycol. The grade also shifts with the vehicle and the raw-material source, so one number isn’t the whole story.

SourceFulton JE Jr. Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1989;40(6):321-333.

One letter changes the ingredient. Squalene, with an “e,” is an oily compound your skin makes, and plants and animals make it too; Cleveland Clinic says your body makes less of it as you age, and that it can spoil and go rancid in a product. Squalane, with an “a,” is squalene that has been hydrogenated. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos explains that adding hydrogen “makes it much more stable,” which also gives products a longer shelf life.

SourcesCleveland Clinic: What Is Squalane? (dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, December 2022).University of Cincinnati News: What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin? (cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos, October 2025).

A 1983 rabbit-ear study tested the skin’s own squalene. Plain squalene caused little comedone formation, but once it was oxidized, the squalene peroxides were “highly comedogenic.” The author suggested that oxidized skin oils may matter more for acne than the oils themselves.

That study was about squalene. Squalane, the stable form sold in serums, scored 1 out of 5 in Fulton’s 1989 test.

SourcesFulton JE Jr. Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1989;40(6):321-333.Motoyoshi K. Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides. Br J Dermatol. 1983;109(2):191-198.

Cleveland Clinic’s dermatologist calls squalane noncomedogenic and safe for oily or acne-prone skin, and suggests it for very dry skin that a regular moisturizer doesn’t fix. His caveats are about everything else in the bottle: other oils in a product can still block pores, and fragrances, preservatives or dyes can cause reactions. He suggests looking for 100% plant-derived squalane.

SourceCleveland Clinic: What Is Squalane? (dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, December 2022).

A human-skin model found the rabbit ear more sensitive than human skin: weak rabbit comedogens were judged probably safe, except perhaps for acne-prone people. When finished products were patch-tested on acne-prone backs, products containing comedogenic ingredients were not necessarily comedogenic.

Comedogenic risk also depends on concentration. Ingredients that clog pores when applied neat showed no effect at the under-15% levels typical of face products, and you cannot tell from an ingredient list whether a product will cause acne — only testing the finished product can.

SourcesMills OH Jr, Kligman AM. A human model for assessing comedogenic substances. Arch Dermatol. 1982;118(11):903-905 (abstract).Draelos ZD, DiNardo JC. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3):507-512 (abstract).Kligman AM. Petrolatum is not comedogenic in rabbits or humans: a critical reappraisal of the rabbit ear assay and the concept of 'acne cosmetica'. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1996;47(1):41-48.

The AAD tells acne-prone people to look for products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.” But “non-comedogenic” has no FDA definition, so a brand can use the label without any standard test behind it. The honest takeaway: a single comedogenicity number — high or low — is a weak guide. If a product breaks you out, that is the real test.

SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Acne: Tips for managing.Starzyk T, Aust N, Schur N, Miller R. Comedogenicity in cosmeceuticals: a review of clinical relevance, regulatory gaps, and future directions. JAAD Reviews. 2025;6:78-83 (open access).U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Cosmetics Labeling Claims.