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 Propylene Glycol Monostearate 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 Propylene Glycol Monostearate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Propylene Glycol Monostearate
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A stearate ester used to emulsify and thicken. Rated 4/5 for comedogenicity despite being non-irritating.
On a label it can read as Propylene Glycol Monostearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Pg Monostearate — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Propylene Glycol Monostearate in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. 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 Propylene Glycol Monostearate 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 Propylene Glycol Monostearate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Glyceryl Stearate — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Cetearyl Alcohol — comedogenic rating 2/5 (Low risk).
Propylene Glycol Monostearate comedogenic FAQ
Is Propylene Glycol Monostearate comedogenic?
It can be. Propylene Glycol Monostearate 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 Propylene Glycol Monostearate?
Propylene Glycol Monostearate has a comedogenic rating of 4/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 13 rate higher than Propylene Glycol Monostearate, 151 rate lower, and 25 others share its 4/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 2 rate higher and 19 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Propylene Glycol Monostearate pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 4/5, Propylene Glycol Monostearate 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.