Ingredient decoder

Camphor: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Camphor

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Cooling, strong-smelling compound that can irritate.

  • Denaturant
  • Masking
  • Plasticiser

Camphor in plain English

Camphor is a strong-smelling compound from the camphor tree, also made synthetically, used for its cooling and tingling effect. It can irritate or dry skin, especially on broken or inflamed skin. It does not clog pores, but acne-prone skin that is already red or sensitive is better off avoiding it in leave-on products.

Is camphor bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Camphor is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

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

Also called

  • Camphor
  • Camphora
  • D-camphor
  • Dl-camphor
  • 2-bornanone

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Frequently asked questions

Is camphor comedogenic?

Camphor has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does camphor do in skincare?

In short: cooling, strong-smelling compound that can irritate. In formulas it is used for denaturant, masking and plasticiser.

What else is camphor called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, camphor can also appear as Camphora, D-camphor, Dl-camphor or 2-bornanone.

Sources