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).