Acne is a frequent skin condition caused as a result of excessive secretion of oil that clogs the pores where bacteria and dirt accumulates as a result acne develops on the skin.
Acne is identified to form as a result of certain unavoidable factors such as hormonal shifts in the body, mental stress as well as changes in the environment.

Acne treatments are numerous including the use of skin care products to improve the appearance of the skin and diminish acne breakouts. However certain skin care products are believed to induce and further hamper the condition rather than cure them. Oily skin care products or comedogenic products are considered to cause acne however petrolatum products do not necessarily fall in this category. Petrolatum skin care products or petroleum jelly contains hydrocarbon (compound for hydrogen and carbon) that holds properties which keep the moisture from being pulled out from the skin. It creates a thin layer near the epidermis diminishing dryness. Even as petrolatum leaves a coating on the skin unlike other chemical based skin care products it does not get absorbed into the skin pores. As a result according to recent research petrolatum is categorized as non comedogenic.  When the product’s chemicals enter the pores it causes the development of acne. Comedones are by definition blackheads and whiteheads that are created by clogged skin pores or hair follicles.

According to dermatologist it should also be noted that just because the skin products contain petrolatum as one of the ingredient does not necessarily mean that it is non comedogenic. The product might contain other chemicals that could induce or hamper the skin and lead to acne formation. If acne breakouts are severe and recurring it is advisable to consult a dermatologist that can prescribe the right skin care products based on the severity and type of acne the person suffers from.