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 Capric 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 Capric Acid near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Capric Acid
It is a fatty acid, one of the building blocks of oils and a common texture and cleansing agent. A C10 fatty acid rated 2/5. Its short chain falls below the C11 threshold, so it is generally considered fungal-acne safe.
On a label it can read as Capric Acid, Decanoic Acid — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Capric Acid in makeup and skincare
It shows up in cleansing balms, cream cleansers, and the base of many creams and pressed powders. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
Capric Acid comedogenic FAQ
Is Capric Acid comedogenic?
Not usually. Capric 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 Capric Acid?
Capric 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 Capric Acid, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 8 rated fatty acids, 4 rate higher and 1 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Capric Acid pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Capric 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.