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 Palmitic 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 Palmitic Acid near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Palmitic Acid
It is a fatty acid, one of the building blocks of oils and a common texture and cleansing agent. A C16 fatty acid found in many oils and used to adjust texture. Low-moderate comedogenicity at 2/5 but a fungal-acne trigger.
On a label it can read as Palmitic Acid, Hexadecanoic Acid — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Palmitic 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 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Palmitic Acid 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.
Palmitic Acid comedogenic FAQ
Is Palmitic Acid comedogenic?
Not usually. Palmitic 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 Palmitic Acid?
Palmitic 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 Palmitic 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 Palmitic Acid pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Palmitic 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.