What a 5/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 5 is the top of the scale — highly likely to clog pores when used at meaningful concentration. That means Sodium Chloride deserves attention if you break out easily, especially when it appears high on an ingredient list.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Sodium Chloride, so we publish the range (5) 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 Sodium Chloride near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Sodium Chloride
It is a functional cosmetic ingredient. Common salt scores a surprising 5 on the classic comedogenic assay, likely a mechanical effect; in most rinse-off or low-salt formulas the practical risk is small.
On a label it can read as Sodium Chloride, Salt — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Sodium Chloride in makeup and skincare
It is used across a range of makeup and skincare formats. Its irritancy is rated separately at 3/5, which is worth noting for sensitive or reactive skin.
Lower-rated alternatives to Sodium Chloride
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).
Sodium Chloride comedogenic FAQ
Is Sodium Chloride comedogenic?
It can be. Sodium Chloride is rated 5/5 (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. Sources disagree on Sodium Chloride, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Sodium Chloride?
Sodium Chloride has a comedogenic rating of 5/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, none rate higher than Sodium Chloride, 177 rate lower, and 12 others share its 5/5. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Sodium Chloride pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 5/5, Sodium Chloride 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.