What a 1/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 1 sits at the safe end of the scale — clogging is unlikely for most people. That places Cyclomethicone 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 Cyclomethicone near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Cyclomethicone
It is a silicone, used to smooth, blur, and give a soft-focus finish. A volatile silicone that evaporates after application, leaving a silky feel. Low-risk at 1/5 and fungal-acne safe.
On a label it can read as Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Cyclomethicone in makeup and skincare
It is everywhere in primers, foundations, and 'blurring' complexion products, and in serums and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
Cyclomethicone comedogenic FAQ
Is Cyclomethicone comedogenic?
Not usually. Cyclomethicone is rated 1/5, 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 Cyclomethicone?
Cyclomethicone has a comedogenic rating of 1/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 132 rate higher than Cyclomethicone, 28 rate lower, and 29 others share its 1/5. Among the 3 rated silicones, none rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Cyclomethicone pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 1/5, Cyclomethicone 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.