Does MCT Oil Clog Pores? Is it Comedogenic?

Ashley Reynolds is the Co Founder of EMTCBD. Working with those ready to make the transition to plan based medicine is the driver behind Ashley’s ambitions to marry education with safe consumption of cannabis. A mom, dental hygienist, wife, and Vermonter, Ashley brings a unique story sharing perspective to the everyday women just trying to be well in a life of ups and downs.


Not all CBD oil is made the same way. If you are looking for an oil that is great for healthy skin, you will want to consider what carrier oils are being used in your hemp oil or CBD-infused tincture. If you are not mindful of the differences, you might clog your pores and cause acne simply due to the fact that some CBD oils were never meant for topical use.

What is MCT Oil?

MCT oil is one of the most common carrier oils used for hemp & CBD extracts. This fatty acid is easy to digest & does not store fat in the body. MCT is naturally gleaned by processing certain products, like coconut or palm oil.

Why use MCT oil for cleansing skin?

It will naturally fight bacterial growth or yeast because MCTs have antifungal and antibacterial properties. A carrier oil like MCT oil is used to help prevent the CBD oil from degrading in the stomach, while allowing it to absorb into the bloodstream.

But, wait! All these MCT oil benefits might sound great, but a typical CBD product is NOT what you want to use on your face.

Is MCT Oil Comedogenic?

Yes – or, at least, MCT oil is more comedogenic than some other carrier oil options like hemp seed oil. Now you might be wondering what comedogenic even means?

What does it mean when something is comedogenic?

Simply put, comedogenic ingredients are more likely to clog or block pores. When it comes to your face, you don’t want to use a product that will clog the pores. Using the wrong ingredients in your facial products is a big no-no, since clogged pores can result in increased acne. Blemishes occur when the pores are clogged with oil, dirt, dead skin, and other particles that get trapped and cause irritation. In more technical terms, skincare products are either labeled comedogenic or non-comedogenic.

Comedogenic ingredients

Skincare products or ingredients that are labeled as comedogenic are likely to clog skin pores and could increase acne.

Non-comedogenic ingredients

Skincare products or ingredients that are labeled as non-comedogenic are not likely to clog the pores and are often better for the skin.

So at the end of the day, does MCT oil clog pores?

MCT oil IS more likely to clog your pores due to it’s comedogenic properties. So, while it can be effective for CBD oil meant for ingesting, it is not ideal for face care. A non-clogging (non-comedogenic) oil is going to be a much better carrier for a skincare-focused CBD product.

Hemp Seed Oil vs. MCT Oil

It is still important to use a carrier oil to help the CBD absorb into your skin. Hemp seed oil is a much better choice for skincare products. While CBD is made from the cannabis flowers, hemp seed oil is harvested from cold-pressing hemp seeds. You can ingest it and it won’t make you high, since most hemp seed oil doesn’t contain THC.

Is hemp seed oil good for skin?

Unlike MCT oil, hemp seed oil is great for your skin! It will moisturize your face without clogging the pores. It works well for most skin types, balancing out dry or oily skin. Hemp seed oil often reduces acne. It will soothe inflammation and is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The linoleic and oleic acids in hemp seed oil soothe the skin and may play crucial role in anti-aging.

CBD Skincare that Works!

Elmore Mountain Therapeutics® offers a number of CBD skincare products. . We use hemp seed oil (instead of MCT) as the carrier oil in of our skincare products because we know how incredible it is for your skin. Our CBD face serum will help your skin retain the glow of youth by rejuvenating your pores on a deep level. Use our CBD oil on your face, back and neck to revitalize your skin and not clog your pores.

Our face serum also contains a blend of other oils that will support soft and balanced skin without clogging the pores. Our blend includes argan oil, sun flower oil, vitamin E oil and rosehip seed oil for moisturizing, while sealing it into your skin with jojoba oil.

To learn more about our full CBD skincare guide, follow this.