The ingredients below are comedogenic, which means that they clog pores and can cause blackheads, pimples or cosmetics-related acne. You may be wondering why these substances are used in cosmetics at all if they clog the skin. The answer? They're cheap!

Most people don't realize that even lipsticks, eye creams and hair pomades can spread to the surrounding skin and cause breakouts. Be sure to check the ingredients list on your cleansers, moisturizers, makeup and sunscreens, and avoid these potentially pore-clogging ingredients if your skin is prone to breakouts. Instead, look for the good alternative ingredients listed here.

Cocoa butter, isopropyl myristate: Found in sunscreen, moisturizer, massage cream, lipstick, blush, body lotion. Good alternatives: plant oils (except coconut), kalaya oil, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, butylene glycol (These are partially petroleum-based but formulated not to clog oily skin.)

-cinnamates, -salicylates, octyl palmitate, PABA: Found in sunscreen. Good alternatives: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Parsol 1789

Shea butter: Found in moisturizer, soap, shampoo. Good alternatives: plant oils (except coconut), kalaya oil, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, butylene glycol