Comedogenic
Pronunciation: koh-mee-doh-JEN-ik
Describing a substance or formulation that is liable to clog follicular ostia and promote the formation of comedones.
Full Definition
The term 'comedogenic' is used in dermatological and cosmetic science to characterise ingredients or products that promote the blockage of follicular pores, potentially triggering or exacerbating acne vulgaris through comedone formation. Its antonym, 'non-comedogenic,' appears on product labels and in clinical dermatology literature to indicate formulations deemed safe for acne-prone skin. There is no universally regulated test for comedogenicity, and editors should note that product claims of 'non-comedogenic' are not standardized across jurisdictions. The term should always be hyphenated as a compound modifier before a noun ('comedogenic ingredients') but used predicatively without a hyphen ('the cream is comedogenic').
Usage
Usage note: The prefix 'non-comedogenic' should always be hyphenated. Editors should query unsupported 'non-comedogenic' claims in product-related clinical or regulatory documents.
In Context
- "The dermatologist advised the patient to avoid comedogenic moisturisers when managing truncal acne." — Outpatient clinic letter
- "The editor noted that the product insert claimed 'non-comedogenic' without citing the test method used." — Regulatory document review