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 Bismuth Oxychloride in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Bismuth Oxychloride, so we publish the range (2) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Bismuth Oxychloride near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Bismuth Oxychloride
It is a mineral-based ingredient, common in pigments and sun protection. A pearlising pigment common in mineral makeup that some acne-prone users find irritating and pore-clogging; often flagged in the low-moderate range.
On a label it can read as Bismuth Oxychloride, Bismuth — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Bismuth Oxychloride in makeup and skincare
It is central to mineral makeup, pressed powders, and mineral sunscreens. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
Bismuth Oxychloride comedogenic FAQ
Is Bismuth Oxychloride comedogenic?
Not usually. Bismuth Oxychloride 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. Sources disagree on Bismuth Oxychloride, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Bismuth Oxychloride?
Bismuth Oxychloride has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Bismuth Oxychloride, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 7 rated minerals, none rate higher and 6 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Bismuth Oxychloride pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Bismuth Oxychloride 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.