What a 2/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 2 is still within the non-comedogenic range that dermatologists generally consider low-risk. That places Benzoic Acid in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Benzoic Acid near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Benzoic Acid
It is a preservative that keeps a water-based product safe from microbes. A common preservative rated 2/5 for clogging and 3/5 for irritancy.
Benzoic Acid in makeup and skincare
It sits near the end of the list in most water-containing makeup and skincare. Its irritancy is rated separately at 3/5, which is worth noting for sensitive or reactive skin.
Benzoic Acid comedogenic FAQ
Is Benzoic Acid comedogenic?
Not usually. Benzoic Acid is rated 2/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin.
What is the comedogenic rating of Benzoic Acid?
Benzoic Acid has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Benzoic Acid, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 5 rated preservatives, none rate higher and 4 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Benzoic Acid pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Benzoic Acid sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.