If you have sensitive, reactive or changing skin, you probably spend more time reading the back of a skincare bottle than you used to.
Will this clog my pores?
Is this oil too heavy?
What does a comedogenic rating actually mean?
And what on earth is half of this ingredient list anyway?
We get it.
So we’ve put our skincare ingredients in one place, including what they are, where they come from, why we use them and, importantly, what we know about their potential to clog pores.
What we'll cover:
This is a big one, so feel free to scroll straight to the bit you came for:
1. What Is the Comedogenic Scale?
A quick explanation of the 0–5 ratings and what they actually tell you.
2. Our Hero Ingredients and Skincare Ingredients A to Z
What they are, why we use them and their comedogenic rating where one exists.
3. Your Comedogenic Questions Answered
What the ratings actually mean, whether oils clog pores, why concentration matters and all those questions Google may have brought you here to ask.
4. How Do Hark & Zander Products Rate?
We take what we've learned and look at each complete Hark & Zander formula, giving it an estimated pore-clogging profile based on its ingredients, their relative concentrations and whether the product stays on your skin or is rinsed away.
Or make a cuppa and read the whole thing. We won't judge. ☕
If Google brought you here and you’ve never heard of us, hello! Hark & Zander is award-winning, vegan skincare made in New Zealand for sensitive, reactive and changing skin. We believe gentle skincare should still deliver real, visible results, which is why our formulas combine our exclusive Sativelle™ Complex with high-performance botanical and marine actives.
1. What Is the Comedogenic Scale?
The traditional comedogenic scale rates ingredients from 0 to 5 according to their potential to clog pores:
0 – Very unlikely to clog pores
1 – Very low likelihood
2 – Low likelihood
3 – Moderate likelihood
4 – Fairly high likelihood
5 – High likelihood
You’ll see these numbers all over the internet, but there’s an important catch.
Comedogenic ratings are a guide, not a guarantee.
Much of the traditional rating system came from testing individual ingredients rather than complete skincare formulations, and some of the early research used rabbit-ear testing (not us!) rather than human skin.
Your skin also doesn’t experience an ingredient list one line at a time. It experiences the finished formula.
How much of an ingredient is used, what it is combined with, whether the product is washed off or left on, and your own skin can all make a difference.
If you'd like to go a little deeper, read our full guide to non-comedogenic skincare and why it matters for acne-prone skin.
Why Concentration Matters
This is the bit that often gets lost online.
The INCI list, which is the internationally recognised ingredient list provided by our chemist, gives us clues about which ingredients make up a significant part of a formula, although it doesn’t reveal the exact recipe or percentages.
Ingredients are generally listed from highest to lowest concentration until you get down to the very small amounts.
That matters.
A richer oil used as a major part of a leave-on facial product is quite different from a small amount of the same ingredient in a cleanser you wash off.
So use the comedogenic scale as a helpful starting point, not as a reason to panic about one ingredient halfway down an INCI list.
Now that we've got that sorted, let's look at the ingredients themselves.
2. Our Hark & Zander Hero Ingredients
These are some of the ingredients that really tell the Hark & Zander story.
Sativelle™ Complex
Kōakaheart™ Oil: traditionally rated 0/5 – Very low
Grapeseed Oil: traditional ratings vary, generally around 1–3/5 – Low to moderate
Sativelle™ is our signature botanical complex, developed for sensitive and changing skin.
At its heart is our New Zealand-grown Kōakaheart™ Oil, combined with grapeseed oil and selected New Zealand botanicals. Together they help support the skin barrier, restore hydration and calm the appearance of sensitive, reactive skin.
Kōakaheart™ Oil sits at the very bottom of traditional comedogenic scales. Grapeseed oil is also generally considered a lightweight oil, although its published rating varies between comedogenic lists.
Fun fact: At harvest, the winery that receives our Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grapes separates the perfectly ripe grape seeds during processing. The juice heads off to become delicious Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, while the seeds can be collected for cold-pressed grapeseed oil. The remaining grape material, which we call Marc & Mog, is composted and eventually returned to the vineyards. Full circle, just the way we like it.
Bakuchiol
Comedogenic Rating: 1/5 (Very Low)
A gentle plant-derived active known for supporting smoother, firmer and more even-looking skin. Often described as a botanical alternative to retinol, Bakuchiol helps improve the appearance of fine lines and skin texture while being well suited to sensitive and reactive skin. Found in our beautiful (and one of my absolute must have's) Restoring Night Creme
OceanDerMX®
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
OceanDerMX® is a New Zealand-developed marine and botanical active built around native red seaweed and Mamaku, also known as NZ black fern.
We love these ingredients for sensitive and changing skin because they provide hydration and antioxidant support while helping skin feel smoother and more resilient.
As a botanical and marine complex rather than a carrier oil, OceanDerMX® doesn’t have a meaningful traditional comedogenic score.
Squalane
Comedogenic rating: Commonly 0–1/5 – Very low
Our squalane is plant-derived from olives.
It’s a lightweight emollient that helps soften the skin and reduce moisture loss without leaving a heavy, oily finish. Its very low traditional comedogenic rating is one reason we love it in skincare designed to nourish without unnecessary heaviness.
Sea Buckthorn
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 1/5 – Very low
Sea buckthorn oil comes from the berries and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant and is naturally rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.
We use it to nourish and support dry and changing skin while maintaining a relatively lightweight feel.
Vitamin C
Comedogenic rating: No single established rating
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the appearance of dull skin, support collagen production and protect against oxidative stress.
There are several forms and sources of vitamin C used in skincare, so giving “vitamin C” one comedogenic number would be misleading.
Hyaluronic Acid
Comedogenic rating: No established traditional rating
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it attracts and holds water.
It gives skin hydration and that lovely plumped feeling without relying on a heavy oil. Because it isn’t an oil or fatty emollient, the traditional oil-based comedogenic rating system isn't particularly useful for it.
You’ll find it in our Hydrating Gel Toner.
Kawakawa
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Kawakawa is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-known native botanicals and has a long history of traditional use.
We use it for its soothing and antioxidant properties, making it particularly relevant to our focus on sensitive and reactive skin.
Read more about Kawakawa here.
Mānuka
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Mānuka is a much-loved New Zealand native botanical, valued in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-supporting properties.
As a botanical ingredient rather than a carrier oil, it doesn’t have a meaningful traditional comedogenic score.
NZ Red Seaweed
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
New Zealand red seaweed is a marine botanical used for its hydrating, antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
It is particularly interesting to us because of the way it supports formulas designed for skin that is becoming drier, more sensitive or less resilient with age.
Read more about New Zealand Red Seaweed here.
Mamaku / NZ Black Fern
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Mamaku is a native New Zealand tree fern used for its hydrating and skin-conditioning properties.
It’s one of those ingredients that makes our botanical story distinctly New Zealand.
Read more about NZ Black Fern here.
Our Skincare Ingredients, A to Z
Aloe Vera
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Aloe vera is a succulent whose gel is widely used in skincare for hydration and soothing. We use it where we want lightweight moisture and comfort without adding heaviness to a formula.
You’ll find it in our Hydrating Gel Toner.
Alaria Esculenta
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A marine seaweed extract used for hydration, skin conditioning and antioxidant support. As an extract rather than a carrier oil, it doesn’t have a useful traditional pore-clogging score.
Read more about Alaria Esculenta here.
Apple Fruit Extract
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Apple fruit extract provides natural antioxidants and fruit acids and is used to support smoother, brighter-looking skin.
Read more about Apple Fruit Extract here.
Bakuchiol
Comedogenic Rating: 1/5 (Very Low)
A gentle plant-derived active known for supporting smoother, firmer and more even-looking skin. Often described as a botanical alternative to retinol, Bakuchiol helps improve the appearance of fine lines and skin texture while being well suited to sensitive and reactive skin. Found in our beautiful (and one of my absolute must have's) Restoring Night Creme
Benzyl Alcohol
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A preservative used in small amounts to help keep skincare formulas safe and stable. Despite the word “alcohol”, it isn't the same as the drying alcohol people often associate with traditional toners.
Betaine
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A humectant that helps attract and retain moisture, supporting hydration and a comfortable skin feel without adding oiliness.
Calendula Flower Extract
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Calendula comes from the Calendula officinalis flower and has a long history of use in skincare. We value it for its soothing and antioxidant properties, particularly in formulas for sensitive skin.
You’ll find it in our MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Comedogenic rating: Traditional ratings vary, generally low
A lightweight emollient derived from plant-based fatty acids. It helps soften skin and gives a formula slip without the heavier feel of some richer oils.
Its pore-clogging potential depends on the source, concentration and finished formulation, so we don't think a single number tells the whole story.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Comedogenic rating: Traditional ratings vary
Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used to soften skin and help give creams their texture and stability.
Despite its name, it isn't the same as the drying alcohol people often associate with skincare.
Cetearyl Olivate
Comedogenic rating: No reliable standalone rating
An olive-derived emulsifier that helps the water and oil parts of a cream stay beautifully blended. It also contributes to the soft, conditioned feel of the finished product.
Coco-Caprylate
Comedogenic profile: Generally considered low
Coco-caprylate is a lightweight, plant-derived emollient used to give skincare a silky feel without excessive greasiness.
It is generally considered to have low pore-clogging potential, although there isn't one universally accepted comedogenic number for it.
Read more about Coco-Caprylate here.
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Comedogenic rating: No reliable established rating
Also known as blue gum, eucalyptus leaf oil is an aromatic botanical oil used in small amounts in skincare.
Essential oils don't fit particularly neatly into the traditional carrier-oil comedogenic scale, so we don't give this one an invented number.
Evening Primrose Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly 2–3/5 – Low to moderate
Pressed from evening primrose seeds, this oil is rich in essential fatty acids that help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
Traditional comedogenic lists vary on its exact score, which is a good example of why these ratings should be treated as a guide rather than fact.
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Extracted from the leaves of the ginkgo tree, this botanical is valued in skincare for its antioxidant properties. We had a beautiful big ginkgo tree that I planted when Isabelle was born, but it just got washed away in the big floods! I am still very sad about it.
Glycerin
Comedogenic rating: No established traditional rating
Glycerin is a humectant that draws water into the skin and helps maintain hydration. It's one of those less glamorous ingredients that does an enormous amount of useful work in a good skincare formula.
Glyceryl Stearate
Comedogenic rating: Traditional ratings vary
A plant-derived emollient and emulsifier used to help create stable, smooth creams while softening the skin.
Its behaviour depends heavily on concentration and the complete formulation, so an isolated rating isn't particularly useful on its own.
Grapefruit Peel Oil
Comedogenic rating: No reliable established rating
An aromatic oil derived from grapefruit peel and used in small amounts within skincare formulations.
Grapeseed Oil
Comedogenic rating: Traditional ratings vary, generally around 1–3/5 – Low to moderate
Grapeseed oil is produced from grape seeds, a valuable by-product of winemaking. It is lightweight and contains fatty acids and antioxidant compounds including vitamin E.
Traditional ratings vary considerably depending on the source, so the finished formulation and concentration matter more than any single number.
You’ll find grapeseed oil in our SkinTonic Face Oil.
Green Tea Extract
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Green tea is naturally rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants. In skincare it helps provide antioxidant support and works particularly well in formulas designed for sensitive or changing skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Comedogenic rating: No established traditional rating
Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water, helping skin feel hydrated, plump and comfortable without relying on a heavy oil.
You’ll find it in our Hydrating Gel Toner.
Jojoba Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 2/5 – Low
Jojoba is actually a liquid wax derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant. Its composition has similarities to the skin's own sebum, and it provides lightweight moisturisation and barrier support.
Kakadu Plum
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
An Australian native fruit naturally rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. We use it to support brighter, more even-looking skin and provide antioxidant protection.
You’ll find it in our Brightening Face The Day Crème.
Kawakawa
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A native New Zealand botanical valued for its soothing and antioxidant properties. We use it to support skin that is sensitive, reactive or simply needs a little more care.
Read more about Kawakawa here.
Kiwifruit Extract
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Our kiwifruit extract comes from Te Puke and provides vitamin C and naturally occurring antioxidants, supporting brighter-looking skin in a lightweight formulation.
Te Puke is where I grew up and spent many of my school holidays picking and packing kiwifruit. I love bringing ingredients into Hark & Zander that are not only incredible for our skin, but have some meaning to me too. So choosing Te Puke kiwifruit was very much on purpose.
Kōakaheart™ Oil
Comedogenic rating: Traditionally 0/5 – Very low
Our signature New Zealand-grown botanical oil and one of the foundations of Sativelle™.
Kōakaheart™ is naturally rich in essential fatty acids and has a lightweight skin feel. Its traditional comedogenic rating sits at the very bottom of the scale, making it particularly useful when we want to nourish and support the skin barrier without creating an unnecessarily heavy formula.
Discover the story behind Kōakaheart™ here.
Lemon Peel Oil
Comedogenic rating: No reliable established rating
An aromatic citrus oil used in small amounts within a finished formulation.
Read more about Lemon Peel Oil here.
Macadamia Nut Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 2–3/5 – Low to moderate
Macadamia oil is pressed from macadamia nuts and is naturally rich in fatty acids, including oleic and palmitoleic acids.
It is a richer emollient, so concentration and the overall formulation are particularly important when considering pore-clogging potential. We love using this rich, nourishing macadamia oil in our body oil rather than our leave-on facial skincare.
Mānuka
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A New Zealand native botanical valued in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-supporting properties.
NZ Black Fern / Mamaku
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Mamaku is a native New Zealand tree fern used for its hydrating and skin-conditioning properties.
Read more about NZ Black Fern here.
OceanDerMX®
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
OceanDerMX® is a New Zealand-developed marine and botanical active built around native red seaweed and Mamaku/black fern.
These aren't carrier oils, so a traditional oil-based comedogenic rating isn't particularly meaningful.
Propanediol
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A plant-derived humectant that helps attract moisture and improve the feel and performance of a formulation without adding a heavy oily layer.
Red Seaweed, New Zealand Native
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A native marine botanical used for hydration, antioxidant support and skin conditioning.
Read more about New Zealand Red Seaweed here.
Rose Geranium
Comedogenic rating: No reliable established rating
An aromatic botanical derived from Pelargonium graveolens and used in small amounts within skincare for its skin-conditioning and sensory qualities.
Sativelle™ Complex
Kōakaheart™ Oil: traditionally rated 0/5 – Very low
Grapeseed Oil: traditional ratings vary, generally around 1–3/5 – Low to moderate
Sativelle™ is our signature botanical complex, combining New Zealand-grown Kōakaheart™ Oil with grapeseed oil and selected New Zealand botanicals.
It was developed to support sensitive and changing skin, helping strengthen the skin barrier, restore hydration and calm the appearance of redness and reactivity.
Sea Buckthorn
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 1/5 – Very low
Sea buckthorn comes from the berries and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant and provides a naturally rich combination of fatty acids and antioxidants.
We use it to nourish, condition and support dry or changing skin without relying on a particularly heavy oil.
Sesame Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 2/5 – Low
Sesame oil is pressed from sesame seeds and is naturally rich in fatty acids and vitamin E.
It acts as an emollient, helping soften skin and reduce moisture loss.
Sorbitan Olivate
Comedogenic rating: No reliable standalone rating
An olive-derived emulsifier that works alongside ingredients such as cetearyl olivate to help create stable, smooth creams.
Squalane
Comedogenic rating: Commonly 0–1/5 – Very low
The squalane we use is plant-derived from olives.
It is a lightweight emollient that helps soften skin and reduce moisture loss without a greasy finish.
St John’s Wort
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
Hypericum perforatum is a flowering botanical traditionally used in herbal preparations. In skincare it is valued for its antioxidant and soothing properties.
Sunflower Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly 0–2/5 – Very low to low
Sunflower oil is pressed from sunflower seeds and is naturally rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid.
It helps soften skin and support the skin barrier. Different sunflower oils can have different fatty-acid profiles, which is one reason you may see slightly different ratings online.
Sweet Almond Oil
Comedogenic rating: Commonly around 2/5 – Low
Pressed from almonds, sweet almond oil is a nourishing emollient rich in fatty acids.
It helps soften dry skin and reduce moisture loss, although, as with any richer oil, its concentration within the finished product matters.
You’ll find it in our SkinTonic Face Oil.
Vitamin C
Comedogenic rating: No single established rating
Vitamin C is an antioxidant used to support brighter, more even-looking skin and collagen production.
There are several forms and botanical sources of vitamin C, so giving all vitamin C ingredients one comedogenic rating wouldn't be accurate.
Vitamin E
Comedogenic rating: Varies by form
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and supports skin conditioning.
It can occur naturally within plant oils or be added to a formulation in forms such as tocopheryl acetate, so there isn't one useful pore-clogging score that applies to every form.
Xanthan Gum
Comedogenic rating: No established rating
A plant-derived thickener and stabiliser used in small amounts to give a skincare formula the right consistency and help keep it stable.
Phew, we got there! Great job if you are still with me :-)
3. Your Comedogenic Questions Answered
What does non-comedogenic mean?
It generally means an ingredient or product is considered unlikely to block pores and contribute to comedones, the little clogged pores that can become blackheads or whiteheads.
However, “non-comedogenic” isn't a guarantee that a product will never cause congestion for your particular skin.
Is a comedogenic rating of 2 or 3 bad?
Not necessarily.
A rating of 2 is generally considered low, while 3 sits around the middle of the traditional scale. But the amount used and the complete formulation matter.
A small amount of an ingredient rated 3 does not automatically turn an entire product into a pore-clogging product.
If an ingredient is rated 0, can it still break me out?
Potentially, yes.
Skin is wonderfully individual. Sensitivity, irritation, hormones, other products, over-cleansing and your skin barrier can all affect how your skin behaves.
A 0 rating means very low predicted pore-clogging potential, not a promise that every skin will love it.
Can facial oils be non-comedogenic?
Absolutely.
“Oils clog pores” is far too simplistic. Different oils have very different fatty-acid profiles, textures and traditional comedogenic ratings.
Kōakaheart™, for example, sits at the very bottom of the traditional scale, while our olive-derived squalane also has very low pore-clogging potential.
Does oil-free mean non-comedogenic?
No.
“Oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” mean different things. A well-formulated facial oil can have very low pore-clogging potential, while an oil-free product isn't automatically right for every skin.
Are cleansing oils more likely to clog pores?
Not simply because they contain oil.
A cleansing oil is designed to mix with oil-soluble makeup, sunscreen and debris and then be washed away. Because it is a rinse-off product, your skin is exposed to it very differently from a facial oil or moisturiser that remains on your face all day or overnight.
Does natural skincare clog pores?
“Natural” tells you very little about comedogenicity.
Some plant oils are extremely lightweight. Others are richer. Botanical extracts may not have a comedogenic rating at all.
We would rather look at the actual ingredient, its concentration and the finished formula than assume natural automatically means either good or bad for pores.
Should I avoid every ingredient rated 3 or above?
Not automatically.
This is the bit that often gets lost online.
If an ingredient with a higher traditional rating is one of the first ingredients in a rich leave-on product and you know your skin congests easily, that information may be useful.
If a small amount appears near the bottom of an ingredient list, or it's in something you wash straight off, the number alone tells you much less.
How can I tell if a skincare product is clogging my pores?
Watch your own skin.
If you consistently notice new closed bumps, blackheads or congestion after introducing a particular product, stop using it for a while and see whether your skin settles.
Introducing new products one at a time makes the detective work much easier.
Why doesn't every ingredient on this page have a number?
Because we won't make one up.
The traditional comedogenic scale was developed mainly around oils, waxes and other ingredients thought to contribute to pore blockage. Many modern botanical extracts, humectants and marine actives simply don't have a reliable standalone rating.
If there isn't a defensible number, we'd rather tell you that.
So what should I actually look for?
Look at the whole formula rather than becoming frightened of one ingredient.
Consider where richer oils appear in the INCI list, whether the product is rinse-off or leave-on, what the product is designed to do and, most importantly, how your own skin responds.
Sensitive skin and congestion can absolutely exist together. The answer isn't necessarily stripping away every oil. Supporting the skin barrier while choosing thoughtfully formulated products can be a much better place to start.
4. How Do Hark & Zander Products Rate?
Okay, this is probably the bit many of you came for.
We’ve looked at the complete INCI for each product, including ingredient order, the relative concentration information supplied by our chemist and whether the formula stays on your skin or is rinsed away.
The profiles below are our estimated pore-clogging profiles, not laboratory-tested comedogenic ratings. They are designed to help you make sense of the complete formula rather than judging a product by one ingredient.
Purifying Oil Cleanser
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low
Yes, it contains oils. That's rather the point!
But this is an emulsifying rinse-off cleanser, so those oils aren't intended to sit on your skin all day. Its formula includes lightweight Kōakaheart™ Oil alongside sweet almond, sunflower, grapeseed and other botanical oils to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and daily grime before rinsing away.
Hydrating Gel Toner
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Very low
Don't let the word toner fool you. Ours is much more than a traditional toner. Its silky gel texture sits somewhere between a toner and a lightweight serum, delivering a generous layer of hydration without heaviness.
With hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe vera and antioxidant-rich Te Puke kiwifruit, it's designed to hydrate, plump and support sensitive and changing skin while keeping the formula beautifully light.
That makes it one of our lightest options for skin that needs hydration but is also concerned about clogged pores or congestion.
MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Very low to low
MiracleFirm is a leave-on serum, but its formula balances lightweight emollients and humectants with Kōakaheart™ Oil, sweet almond oil and active botanical ingredients.
Based on the complete INCI and relative ingredient concentrations, we consider its overall pore-clogging potential very low to low.
Shop MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum
GoodGlow Daily Eye Crème
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low
GoodGlow is designed to nourish the delicate eye area, so it is naturally more emollient than a toner or serum.
Its formula combines lightweight emollients with Kōakaheart™ Oil, grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil. Based on the complete formula and the small area where an eye crème is applied, we consider its estimated pore-clogging profile low.
[Shop GoodGlow Daily Eye Crème]
GraceRepair Overnight Eye Mask
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low to moderate
GraceRepair is deliberately richer. It's an overnight eye mask, after all.
Its formula contains jojoba, shea, grapeseed oil, Kōakaheart™ Oil and olive-derived squalane. Some of those are richer ingredients, but they are balanced within a complete formula designed for the small, dry and delicate eye area.
If you are extremely prone to tiny clogged pores around the eyes, apply only the amount you need rather than thinking more must be better.
[Shop GraceRepair Overnight Eye Mask]
Brightening Face The Day Crème
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low
Our day crème is designed to give sensitive and changing skin lasting hydration without feeling unnecessarily heavy.
The formula combines lightweight emollients, humectants, shea and Kōakaheart™ Oil alongside botanical actives including Kakadu plum.
Based on its complete INCI and relative concentrations, we consider its estimated pore-clogging potential low.
Shop Brightening Face The Day Crème
Restoring Good Night Crème
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low to moderate
Our night crème is intentionally more nourishing than our daytime formulas.
It includes sweet almond oil and other emollients alongside Kōakaheart™ Oil and botanical actives. Because it is a richer leave-on product, we've given it a slightly higher estimated profile than our serum or toner.
That doesn't mean it “clogs pores”. It means someone who knows their skin congests easily may want to introduce it gradually and see how their own skin responds.
[Shop Restoring Good Night Crème]
SkinTonic Face Oil
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low
This is a good example of why “oil = clogged pores” simply isn't true.
SkinTonic is an oil-based product, but it is built around carefully selected plant oils including Kōakaheart™ Oil, olive-derived squalane, jojoba, grapeseed and other botanical oils with predominantly low traditional comedogenic profiles.
It is richer than a water-based serum, of course, but based on its complete oil blend we consider its overall pore-clogging profile low.
Nourishing Body Oil
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low to moderate
Our body oil is a concentrated blend of nourishing plant oils designed for skin below the neck, where dryness is often the bigger concern.
It includes richer emollient oils such as sweet almond and macadamia, so we've given it a low-to-moderate estimated profile rather than pretending every natural oil scores zero.
And remember, the skin on your body can behave quite differently from the skin on your face.
RadiantCalm Roller
Estimated pore-clogging profile: Low
RadiantCalm is the travel-sized roller version of our SkinTonic Face Oil, so it shares the same carefully selected botanical oil blend and the same estimated pore-clogging profile.
Although it is an oil-based formula, its blend is built around oils chosen to nourish and support sensitive skin without unnecessary heaviness.
The roller format also makes it easy to apply just a small amount exactly where your skin needs it.
A Final Note From Kirsty
Before Hark & Zander I was a nurse, and my other life now is spent growing grapes. Both have probably made me someone who asks a lot of questions about what goes into things and why.
I also have sensitive skin myself.
So when I look at an ingredient, I'm interested in more than whether somebody on the internet has given it a 0, 2 or 4.
I want to know where it comes from, why it's in the formula, how much we're using, what it's doing for sensitive and changing skin, and how it works alongside everything else.
The comedogenic scale is useful. I use it too. But it is one piece of a much bigger picture.
I hope this glossary helps you understand that picture a little better, and makes choosing skincare feel a little less complicated.
Kirsty x
Founder, Hark & Zander
Ready to see how these ingredients come together? Explore the full Hark & Zander range here.
