What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Butyl Stearate squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Butyl Stearate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Butyl Stearate
It is a synthetic ester — an oil-and-alcohol reaction product engineered for a smooth, quick-absorbing slip. A butyl ester of stearic acid used for slip in lipsticks and creams. Moderately comedogenic at 3/5.
Butyl Stearate in makeup and skincare
It is a workhorse of foundations, primers, sunscreens, and mascara, where a fast, silky slip sells the texture. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Butyl Stearate is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Butyl Stearate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
Butyl Stearate comedogenic FAQ
Is Butyl Stearate comedogenic?
Moderately. Butyl Stearate is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin.
What is the comedogenic rating of Butyl Stearate?
Butyl Stearate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Butyl Stearate, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 24 rated esters, 11 rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Butyl Stearate pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Butyl Stearate is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than 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.