What is the "1% Rule" when reading a skincare INCI ingredient list?

Under FDA and EU cosmetic labeling laws, ingredients above 1% concentration must be listed in strict descending order by weight. Ingredients below 1% can be listed in any order. Preservatives like Phenoxyethanol (legally capped at 1.0%), thickeners like Carbomer/Xanthan Gum, and Parfum mark the 1% boundary. If a high-dose active like Niacinamide (which requires 2%–5%) is listed after Phenoxyethanol, it is "marketing dust."

Are all ingredients below the 1% line ineffective?

No! Several gold-standard dermatological actives are clinically effective at sub-1% concentrations, including Retinol & Retinaldehyde (0.05%–1%), Biomimetic Peptides (parts per million), Sodium Hyaluronate (0.1%–1%), Ceramides, and Madecassoside.

Which ingredients have the highest comedogenic (pore-clogging) rating?

Heavy fatty esters and triglycerides carry the highest comedogenic scores (4–5 out of 5): Isopropyl Myristate, Myristyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, and Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil) when applied to acne-prone facial skin.

What triggers Fungal Acne (Malassezia Folliculitis)?

Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11 and C24. Common triggers include Stearic, Palmitic, Lauric, and Oleic acids, fatty esters (Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate), and Polysorbates (Polysorbate 20/60/80). Pure Squalane and silicones are 100% Fungal Acne safe.

🔬 Instant INCI Decoder • Pore-Clogging & 1% Rule Scanner

Skincare Ingredient Analyzer & INCI Scanner

Paste the ingredient list (INCI) from any moisturizer, serum, or cleanser. Instantly detect pore-clogging ingredients (0–5), fungal acne triggers, the 1% concentration line, and routine conflicts.

Quick Test with Real Formulation Presets:

Paste Full Ingredient List (INCI) Separated by Commas:

Ingredients parsed: 15

Formula Score

15/100

🔴 High Pore-Clogging Risk

Pore-Clogging Risk

5/5

🔴 Pore-cloggers found: 3

Fungal Acne (Malassezia)

⚠️ 5 Triggers

Contains esters/lipids feeding yeast

Irritants & Fragrance

⚠️ 4 Irritants

Contains fragrance or drying alcohol

Interactive Ingredient Breakdown & 1% Concentration Line

Click any ingredient chip to inspect its clinical role

Beneficial Active / BarrierSafe BaseCaution / Fungal TriggerPore-Clogging (3–5) / Harsh

🧪Primary Active & Base Formula (Concentration > 1%):

📏1% Concentration Threshold (marker: Parfum) — ingredients below are < 1%

💸Marketing Dust Alert: Key Actives Listed Below the 1% Threshold!

Ingredients (Niacinamide) require 2%–10% for clinical efficacy, yet they appear AFTER Parfum in trace amounts (<0.5%) primarily for front-label marketing claims.

🔄Compatibility of This Product with Your Current Routine

Select the active treatments you currently use at home to check if this formula will conflict or synergize with them:

Active categories detected in this product: Squalane & Facial Oils, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid

✨ Great news! The actives in this product have zero conflicts with your selected home routine.

Fragrance-Free • 5% Panthenol + Madecassoside

★★★★★

4.8(95,000+)

-20%

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Soothing Therapeutic Multi-Purpose Cream

$18.99$34.99

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Soothing Barrier Balm

Dermatologist-Tested Formula Free of Drying Alcohol & Fragrance

A benchmark clinical formulation where 5% Panthenol (Vitamin B5) sits right at the top of the INCI list, paired with Madecassoside and Tribioma to rapidly repair compromised skin barriers.

True 5% Panthenol concentration positioned at the top of the INCI list

100% Fragrance-free and drying-alcohol-free for reactive skin

Madecassoside + Zinc/Manganese accelerate epidermal recovery

Ideal buffering balm alongside retinoids and chemical exfoliants

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Skincare Ingredient Analyzer & INCI Scanner

Interactive Ingredient Breakdown & 1% Concentration Line

💸Marketing Dust Alert: Key Actives Listed Below the 1% Threshold!

🔄Compatibility of This Product with Your Current Routine

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Soothing Barrier Balm

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