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 Neem Oil in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Neem Oil, 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 Neem Oil near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Neem Oil
It is a plant- or seed-derived oil, valued for the emollient, conditioning feel it gives a formula. An antimicrobial oil used in acne folklore; usually placed around 1-2. Strong odour and heavy texture.
On a label it can read as Neem Oil, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Azadirachta Indica Seed Oil — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Neem Oil in makeup and skincare
In makeup it turns up in cream blushes, tinted balms, and hydrating foundations; in skincare, in face oils and cleansing balms. Its irritancy is rated separately at 1/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Neem Oil 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.
Neem Oil comedogenic FAQ
Is Neem Oil comedogenic?
Not usually. Neem Oil 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 Neem Oil, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Neem Oil?
Neem Oil has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Neem Oil, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 38 rated oils, 17 rate higher and 7 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Neem Oil pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Neem Oil 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.