What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate, so we publish the range (3) 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 Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate
It is a surfactant — a cleansing or foaming agent that lifts oil and grime. A mild sulfosuccinate surfactant named on some pore-clogging lists in the moderate range.
On a label it can read as Disodium Monooleamido Peg 2-Sulfosuccinate, Peg 2 Sulfosuccinate, Sulfosuccinate — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate in makeup and skincare
It appears in cleansers, micellar waters, and makeup-removing washes. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate comedogenic FAQ
Is Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate comedogenic?
Moderately. Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin. Sources disagree on Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate?
Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 5 rated surfactants, 1 rates higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Disodium PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than 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.