Do Vegetable Oils Clog Pores?

There is a widespread myth in skincare: that vegetable oils are directly responsible for comedones.

But the reality is more complex.

The real question is not whether an oil is comedogenic or not.
The real question is: under what circumstances can it behave as potentially comedogenic?

What Is Comedogenicity?

Comedogenicity refers to the ability of a substance to promote the formation of comedones (blackheads or whiteheads).

A comedone forms when:

• The pilosebaceous follicle becomes obstructed.
• Lipid material and keratin accumulate.
• Inflammation develops within the corneocytes.
• A visible plug appears on the surface of the skin.

It is a multifactorial process. It does not depend exclusively on a single isolated ingredient.

What Does “Potentially Comedogenic” Mean?

When an oil is described as “potentially comedogenic,” it means that under certain conditions it may contribute to pore blockage — but not automatically.

The context matters. Factors that influence comedogenicity include:

• Inadequate cleansing
• Cleansers that do not effectively remove lipid-based impurities
• Makeup residue accumulation
• Poorly removed sunscreen
• Excess oxidized sebum
• Environmental pollution
• Sweat retained on the skin
• Hyperkeratinization

In most cases, comedogenicity does not stem from the oil within a properly formulated product — which is usually well balanced — but from the progressive accumulation of lipid residues that have not been properly removed.

The Most Common Cause: Lipid Accumulation

Makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and pollution are primarily lipophilic substances.

If they are not properly removed:

• They remain inside the pore.
• They mix with dead skin cells.
• They trigger inflammation within corneocytes.
• A comedone forms.

This is where double cleansing stops being a trend and becomes a physiological necessity.

The Importance of Double Cleansing According to Ami Iyök

Ami Iyök promotes a conscious double cleansing ritual that respects the skin barrier.

Step 1: Kombunectar

Kombunectar acts as the first oil-based step that:

• Removes lipid-soluble residues
• Eliminates makeup and sunscreen
• Dissolves oxidized sebum
• Lifts oily pollution

It is applied with a gentle massage and removed with a warm, damp muslin cloth, facilitating deep cleansing without disrupting skin balance.

This step is essential to prevent the accumulation that may trigger comedones.

Step 2: Green Shaman

Green Shaman completes the cleansing process by removing:

• Environmental pollutants
• Heavy metals
• Sweat
• Water-soluble residues

This second step ensures that no remaining particles contribute to inflammatory processes within the pore.

So, Are Vegetable Oils to Blame?

The technical answer is clear:

Not necessarily.

A vegetable oil within a well-designed formula:

• Is balanced.
• Used at an appropriate concentration.
• Part of a stable system.

What often causes comedones is not the oil itself, but the chronic accumulation of lipid residues that have not been properly removed.

Conclusion

Comedogenicity is contextual and multifactorial.

It is not about demonizing vegetable oils. It is about understanding:

• How the skin functions.
• How pore congestion develops.
• Why double cleansing is essential.

When performed correctly — as in the Ami Iyök double cleansing protocol with Kombunectar and Green Shaman — lipid accumulation is minimized, promoting balanced, clean, and healthy skin.