What a 4/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 4 is in the high-risk band, with a real likelihood of clogging pores on acne-prone skin. That means Myristyl Lactate deserves attention if you break out easily, especially when it appears high on an ingredient list.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Myristyl Lactate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Myristyl Lactate
It is a synthetic ester — an oil-and-alcohol reaction product engineered for a smooth, quick-absorbing slip. A lactic-acid ester of myristyl alcohol used as a light emollient. Rated 4/5 for comedogenicity.
Myristyl Lactate 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 Myristyl Lactate 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 Myristyl Lactate
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).
Myristyl Lactate comedogenic FAQ
Is Myristyl Lactate comedogenic?
It can be. Myristyl Lactate is rated 4/5 (high risk) on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it has a real chance of clogging pores on acne-prone skin, especially high on an ingredient list.
What is the comedogenic rating of Myristyl Lactate?
Myristyl Lactate has a comedogenic rating of 4/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 13 rate higher than Myristyl Lactate, 151 rate lower, and 25 others share its 4/5. Among the 24 rated esters, 5 rate higher and 13 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Myristyl Lactate pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 4/5, Myristyl Lactate is in the high-risk band. It matters most when it appears near the top of an ingredient list, where it makes up a larger share of the product. 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.