Ingredient decoder

Allantoin: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Allantoin

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic0 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Calms and softens skin, helps it feel smoother.

  • Soothing
  • Skin conditioning
  • Skin protecting
  • Soothing

Allantoin in plain English

Allantoin is a soothing ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and makes rough skin feel softer. It is a listed skin protectant in the US. It is very gentle and is often added to products for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Is allantoin bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Allantoin is not a known pore-clogger: it scored 0 out of 5 in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test of the raw ingredient. Our checker rates it as fine for acne-prone skin, so judge by how your own skin reacts.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Allantoin
  • Glyoxyldiureide
  • 5-ureidohydantoin

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Frequently asked questions

Is allantoin comedogenic?

Allantoin scored 0 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does allantoin do in skincare?

In short: calms and softens skin, helps it feel smoother. In formulas it is used for skin conditioning, skin protecting and soothing.

What else is allantoin called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, allantoin can also appear as Glyoxyldiureide or 5-ureidohydantoin.

Sources