10 Skin-Clogging Beauty Ingredients to Avoid Ahead of Your Wedding Day

Since all eyes will be on you as you walk down the aisle, it’s natural to want to look and feel your best. That’s why most engaged people spend the months leading up to their weddings fine-tuning their skincare routines; the goal is to achieve a radiant, blemish-free complexion by the time they say “I do.” 

That being said, your pre-wedding beauty regimen has the potential to do more harm than good depending on the products you’re using. Some skincare and makeup products contain skin-clogging, or comedogenic, ingredients that can increase your chances of developing a pesky pimple. This can be especially true if you have oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin. The reason? These formulas typically sit on top of your skin, building a seal that traps the oil. They can also add more oil to the outer layer of your skin, which means the lining of your pore has difficulty shedding it. Although celebrity makeup artist Brittany Whitfield-Morrison explains that the skincare you’re using isn’t the only cause of clogged pores, it is a significant contributor that you have some degree of control over.

With so many beauty products on the market (and in your makeup bag), it can be difficult to know which ones are safe and which ones could irritate your skin. To help you make sense of it all, we asked the experts to reveal the top formulas that can cause a congested complexion. Ahead, our experts share 10 skin-clogging ingredients to avoid before your wedding day.

Coconut Oil

Since coconut oil is hydrating, it’s often found in sunscreens and moisturizers. However, if you’re prone to breakouts, it's best to ditch any beauty or makeup products that contain this element since it’s highly comedogenic. Coconut oil is a thick substance, which makes it difficult for your skin to absorb it. When you apply the ingredient to your face, it sits on top of the outermost layer of your skin and traps any bacteria and dead skin cells underneath.

If you’re looking for another hydrating product, Whitfield-Morrison recommends hyaluronic acid, whether it’s a full serum or found in a facial wash. “Hyaluronic acid will continue to add hydration to the skin as it pulls moisture from the air directly to the skin,” the makeup artist says. The result is a plump, dewy complexion that reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is another ingredient that locks in moisture, but for those with acne-prone skin, it might lead to congestion and breakouts. This substance has a high concentration of oleic acid, which is a fatty acid that can promote blockage. For a similar alternative that’s just as hydrating without the skin-clogging effect, consider using shea butter, which is often found in lotions.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is composed of oleic acid, which can cause congestion. When used on your face, this oily product retains toxins and produces zits. Grapeseed oil is a more suitable substitute because it nourishes the skin without clogging pores.

Petroleum Jelly

Widely known as Vaseline, petroleum jelly has recently had a resurgence thanks to slugging, a viral TikTok trend in which individuals apply the ingredient to their face—after finishing their skincare routine—to lock products in. While petroleum jelly eliminates dryness, it’s a thick substance that traps oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, leading to a buildup that can cause pimples. Instead, use ceramides to repair your skin barrier and keep acne at bay.

Marula Oil

Marula oil is a common ingredient in serums and face oils, but if you’re struggling with breakouts, removing this item from your skincare lineup will salvage your skin. If you’re interested in a replacement, consider squalene oil. The olive-derived formula behaves similarly to your skin’s natural oils, resulting in a nourished complexion and open pores. 

Silicone

Usually found in makeup products, especially primers, silicone contributes to hydrated, smooth skin. Unfortunately, the ingredient is a skin-clogging culprit for those who break out easily. While checking the list of ingredients, be on the lookout for its derivatives, cyclomethicone and dimethicone, which create the same effect.

Lanolin

Lanolin, used in many creams, is cited as one of the most common skin-clogging ingredients. This substance is thicker than sebum—the oily material produced by the sebaceous glands that prevents your skin from drying out—so it creates a film that causes dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria to remain in your pores.

Algae

Those with normal and dry skin will benefit from beauty products made with algae since it’s loaded with hydrating omega-3 fatty acids. However, if your skin type is more oily, sensitive, or acne-prone, this ingredient can irritate and inflame your skin since it’s high in iodine. If you’re susceptible to breakouts, algae can exacerbate them, so be sure to abandon this formula before your wedding day.

Kelp

Kelp is another ingredient that has a high concentration of iodine, which is likely to clog pores and lead to red bumps on the surface of your skin if you struggle with acne or if your skin is highly sensitive. While this item does exfoliate, firm, and protect the skin, it can aggravate skin issues in the aforementioned skin types. For another exfoliator, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo advises using pomegranate enzymes for sensitive skin or AHAs, like glycolic, for normal or oily skin.

Octyl Palmitate

Octyl palmitate is an emollient that’s typically found in creams and lotions. Normal and dry skin types can tolerate this ingredient, but acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin types should avoid it. Octyl palmitate is a derivative of palm oil, so keep an eye out for both additives within your skincare products.