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 Steareth-2 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 Steareth-2, 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 Steareth-2 near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Steareth-2
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A low-ethoxylate stearyl emulsifier named on comedogenic lists in the moderate range.
On a label it can read as Steareth-2, Steareth 2 — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Steareth-2 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 Steareth-2 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 Steareth-2
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).
Steareth-2 comedogenic FAQ
Is Steareth-2 comedogenic?
Moderately. Steareth-2 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 Steareth-2, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Steareth-2?
Steareth-2 has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Steareth-2, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 3 rate higher and 9 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Steareth-2 pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Steareth-2 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.