Ingredient

Lauric Acid

Dodecanoic Acid C12 Fatty Acid

What it is

A saturated 12-carbon fatty acid naturally abundant in coconut and palm kernel oil, used in cleansing oils and cleansers for its mild soap-forming, cleansing character.

How it works

It reacts with alkali to form a soap-like surfactant (or blends with other oils) that lifts away sebum and makeup, and it also helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.

What it does

Surfactant Cleansing Emulsifier

Concerns to know

Potentially pore-clogging

Rated comedogenic in common references; may contribute to congestion for acne-prone skin.

Evidence at a glance

Worth knowing

Reflects its most significant known concern.

Why this rating

Potentially pore-clogging

Classic comedogenicity-index studies (rabbit-ear/human-back assays cited in dermatology literature since the 1980s-90s) rate lauric acid around 4 out of 5, meaning it can clog pores and contribute to breakouts on acne-prone skin, despite documented in-vitro antibacterial activity against C. acnes; evidence is moderate because the data comes mainly from older assay methods rather than large modern clinical trials.