What a 1/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 1 sits at the safe end of the scale — clogging is unlikely for most people. That places Squalane 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 Squalane near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Squalane
It is a lightweight emollient chosen for slip without heaviness. The stable, hydrogenated form of squalene. Rated 0-1, lightweight, and one of the go-to fungal-acne-safe emollients. Do not confuse with squalene.
Squalane in makeup and skincare
It is a favourite in 'skin-friendly' foundations and lightweight moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
Squalane comedogenic FAQ
Is Squalane comedogenic?
Not usually. Squalane is rated 1/5, 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 Squalane?
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 132 rate higher than Squalane, 28 rate lower, and 29 others share its 1/5. Among the 3 rated emollients, none rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Squalane pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 1/5, Squalane 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.