What a 2/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 2 is still within the non-comedogenic range that dermatologists generally consider low-risk. That places Tamanu Oil in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Tamanu Oil, so we publish the range (2) 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 Tamanu Oil near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Tamanu Oil
It is a plant- or seed-derived oil, valued for the emollient, conditioning feel it gives a formula. A dark, wound-healing oil traditionally used for scars; usually rated around 2, though its heaviness warrants caution.
On a label it can read as Tamanu Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Tamanu Oil in makeup and skincare
In makeup it turns up in cream blushes, tinted balms, and hydrating foundations; in skincare, in face oils and cleansing balms. Its irritancy is rated separately at 1/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Tamanu Oil 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.
Tamanu Oil comedogenic FAQ
Is Tamanu Oil comedogenic?
Not usually. Tamanu Oil is rated 2/5, 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. Sources disagree on Tamanu Oil, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Tamanu Oil?
Tamanu Oil has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Tamanu Oil, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 38 rated oils, 17 rate higher and 7 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Tamanu Oil pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Tamanu Oil 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.