The Comedogenic Scale showing which oils clog pores and which are safe.

Will Face Oil Cause Acne? The Truth About Comedogenic Ratings

December 5, 2025

If you have acne-prone skin, the idea of putting oil on your face probably sounds like a nightmare. You’ve likely spent years buying products labeled "Oil-Free."

But here is the empathetic truth: Your skin needs oil to function. The problem isn't oil itself; the problem is that you’ve been using the wrong kind of oil.

At Joyful Naturals, we believe in Safety First. That means checking the science before we formulate.

Here is why some oils (like Coconut) will wreck your skin, while others (like Jojoba) are actually the secret to clearing it up.

A graphic of the Comedogenic Scale (0-5).

Level 4-5 (Red): Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter (High risk of clogging).

Level 0-2 (Green): Jojoba Oil, Hemp Seed Oil (Low/No risk).

Scientists rate ingredients on a scale of 0 to 5 based on their likelihood to clog pores (comedones).

0-1: Will not clog pores (Safe).

2-3: Moderately comedogenic.

4-5: High likelihood of clogging pores (Danger Zone).

The Villain: Coconut Oil (Rating: 4)

This is where "Natural" skincare gets dangerous. Coconut Oil is cheap and smells good, but it has a Comedogenic Rating of 4 out of 5. Because its molecules are large and heavy, it sits deep inside the pore and hardens, trapping bacteria and causing cystic acne. We never use it in our face products.

The Hero: Jojoba Oil (Rating: 2)

This is why we chose Jojoba for our Nourish and Glow Face Oil. Jojoba has a rating of 2. This is the "Goldilocks" zone.

It is rich enough to seal in moisture.

But because it is a liquid wax (not a heavy triglyceride), it remains fluid in the pore. It allows your skin to breathe and actually dissolves the hardened sebum that causes blackheads.

Diagram showing how Jojoba oil keeps pores clear vs coconut oil blocking them.

Hemp Seed Oil: The Anti-Inflammatory (Rating: 0)

We didn't stop at Jojoba. We also blended in Hemp Seed Oil, which has a rating of 0. It is chemically incapable of clogging your pores. Even better? It reduces the inflammation of existing breakouts, helping them heal faster without leaving scars.