Our Ingredient Philosophy
Beautiful Skincare Deserves Thoughtful Preservation
At Glimmer Goddess®, we believe carefully chosen ingredients are the foundation of beautiful skincare. That includes the ingredients that help protect our botanical formulas.
Our skincare is handcrafted in small batches with thoughtfully selected ingredients. While we love using botanical extracts, oils, and other skin-loving ingredients, we also recognize the importance of preserving water-based formulas.
That's why we have chosen Euxyl K 903 as our added preservative system for suitable formulations.
Why Do Natural Skincare Products Need Preservatives?
Products containing water, aloe vera, floral waters, and botanical extracts can be vulnerable to bacteria, yeast, and mold during storage and everyday use.
Contamination isn't always visible. A product may appear perfectly normal even when unwanted microorganisms are present.
A properly selected preservative system helps protect the formula. Packaging, pH, manufacturing practices, ingredient quality, and appropriate testing are also important.
We believe responsible preservation is part of responsible skincare. Our goal is to create thoughtfully formulated products that customers can enjoy with confidence.
Meet Euxyl K 903: Our Chosen Preservative
Euxyl K 903 is a complete, broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative developed for compatible skincare formulations.
According to its supplier, it offers several important characteristics:
- Broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, yeast, and mold.
- Paraben-free and formaldehyde-free.
- Suitable for compatible leave-on and rinse-off skincare formulations.
- Developed for formulations with a pH of 6 or below.
- Compatible with certain natural-cosmetics formulation standards.
- Designed for applications where skin compatibility is an important consideration.
Its effectiveness depends on the complete formulation, including proper pH, ingredient compatibility, manufacturing hygiene, and preservation testing.
What's Actually in Euxyl K 903?
Euxyl K 903 contains four ingredients, identified by their INCI names:
Benzyl Alcohol
An ingredient that contributes antimicrobial activity to the preservative system.
Benzoic Acid
An organic acid that helps control microbial growth in appropriately formulated products.
Dehydroacetic Acid
An organic acid that contributes protection against fungi and other microorganisms.
Tocopherol
A form of vitamin E included in the preservative blend.
Official INCI: Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tocopherol.
View Lotioncrafter's Euxyl K 903 specifications.
Is Euxyl K 903 a Natural Preservative?
The word "natural" can mean different things in skincare. Rather than relying solely on that description, we prefer to explain exactly which ingredients we use and why.
Euxyl K 903 is compatible with certain natural-cosmetic formulation standards. However, this does not automatically mean that every finished product containing it is certified organic.
We believe ingredient selection should be based on purpose, formulation suitability, and performance rather than marketing terminology alone.
What About Sensitive Skin?
We understand that many of our customers pay close attention to ingredients because their skin can be sensitive or reactive.
Euxyl K 903 was developed for cosmetic applications where skin compatibility matters. However, even carefully selected ingredients may not be suitable for everyone.
We encourage customers with known sensitivities to review the complete ingredient list for their specific product and variant before use.
Read our guide to patch testing skincare.
Why Do Botanical Ingredients Sometimes Have Additional Scientific Names?
Some botanical ingredients arrive from suppliers as prepared blends rather than individual substances.
For example, a plant extract may contain the featured botanical ingredient along with water, glycerin, stabilizers, or ingredients that help preserve the supplied material.
Our Apple Stem Cell Renewal Serum is one example. Its purchased apple stem cell ingredient, PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica, contains Phenoxyethanol as part of the supplier's prepared blend.
Euxyl K 903 itself does not contain Phenoxyethanol. However, certain purchased botanical ingredients may contribute additional components to a finished skincare formula.
This is why detailed ingredient information is so important, particularly for customers with known sensitivities.
Our Commitment to Ingredient Clarity
Our smaller skincare bottles have limited space for printed information. Historically, some packaging has used shorter, more familiar ingredient descriptions.
Our website provides additional room to explain scientific ingredient names and the individual components of botanical blends.
As we continue updating our product listings and packaging, our goal is to ensure accurate and consistent ingredient information across our formulas, product labels, and online descriptions.
Our online ingredient information is intended to help customers make informed decisions and complement the ingredient declarations required on our packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Glimmer Goddess products preservative-free?
Our water-containing skincare products use appropriate preservation systems where needed. Water-free formulations may have different preservation requirements.
Does Euxyl K 903 contain parabens or formaldehyde?
No. Euxyl K 903 is paraben-free and formaldehyde-free.
Does Euxyl K 903 contain Phenoxyethanol?
No. However, some supplier-prepared botanical ingredients may contain Phenoxyethanol as part of the purchased raw material.
Can preservatives cause skin reactions?
Yes. Individual sensitivities vary, and even commonly used cosmetic ingredients can cause reactions in some people. Review product ingredients carefully if you have known sensitivities.
Does every Glimmer Goddess product contain Euxyl K 903?
Not every formula requires the same preservation approach. Euxyl K 903 is our chosen added preservative system for applicable formulas, while water-free products may have different requirements.
Where can I find detailed ingredient information?
Visit the individual product page for detailed ingredient information. If you have questions about a specific ingredient or formula, please contact our Customer Care team.
A Note From Our Founder
When we created Glimmer Goddess, our vision was to offer beautiful, ingredient-conscious skincare made with care.
That commitment extends to every part of our formulas, including the ingredients that help protect them.
We believe you deserve to understand what's in your skincare and why it's there. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your skincare journey.
Shannon Reagan Henry
Founder & CEO
Glimmer Goddess® Organic Skin Care