Toxic Skincare Ingredients to Avoid
Toxic Skincare Ingredients to Avoid: The Glimmer Goddess® Clean Beauty Standard
The beauty industry is filled with thousands of ingredients — some nourishing, some questionable, and some that simply don’t belong on your skin. While many brands continue to use harsh chemicals for texture, fragrance, or preservation, Glimmer Goddess® is committed to a higher standard: clean, organic, plant-powered skincare that protects your health and honors your skin’s natural balance.
This guide highlights the most commonly avoided toxic skincare ingredients and explains why Glimmer Goddess® chooses safer, gentler alternatives in every formula. Handcrafted in Texas.
Why Ingredient Safety Matters
Your skin absorbs a significant portion of what you apply to it. Over time, exposure to harsh chemicals can lead to:
- Increased sensitivity and irritation
- Disruption of the skin barrier
- Allergic reactions
- Hormonal imbalance (with certain chemicals)
- Long-term inflammation
Clean beauty isn’t a trend — it’s a response to the industry’s growing awareness of how certain ingredients affect both the skin and the body. At Glimmer Goddess®, we remove unnecessary toxins and choose ingredients that nourish, soothe, and promote long-term skin health.
1. Synthetic Fragrance (Parfum)
Synthetic fragrance is one of the most common irritants in skincare. A single “fragrance” label can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals, many of which trigger:
- Redness
- Itching
- Headaches
- Allergic reactions
- Sensitivity flare-ups
Glimmer Goddess® never uses synthetic fragrance — only pure, low-level essential oils (and fragrance-free options for sensitive skin).
2. Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives associated with potential hormone disruption. Although allowed in many countries, they are not aligned with Glimmer Goddess® clean beauty values and are excluded from all formulations.
3. Phthalates
Often found in synthetic fragrances and plastic packaging, phthalates are linked to endocrine disruption and skin sensitization. Because we avoid synthetic fragrance entirely, phthalates have no place in any Glimmer Goddess® product.
4. Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
These harsh foaming agents can strip the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and disrupted moisture balance. Our cleansers and body washes rely on gentle, plant-based surfactants instead.
5. Mineral Oil & Petroleum-Derived Ingredients
Mineral oil, petrolatum, and similar ingredients create a temporary occlusive layer that can trap heat and bacteria. They offer no nutritional value to the skin and may clog pores in certain skin types.
Glimmer Goddess® uses nourishing plant oils — like organic jojoba, sweet almond, safflower, and rosehip — that support the skin’s barrier naturally.
6. PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols)
PEGs are used as thickeners and emulsifiers but may contain harmful byproducts depending on how they are processed. Our formulas avoid PEGs entirely and rely on plant-based emulsifiers instead.
7. Drying Alcohols
Not all alcohols are harmful (fatty alcohols can be beneficial), but drying alcohols like denatured alcohol (SD alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol) can weaken the skin’s moisture barrier and trigger irritation.
Glimmer Goddess® uses gentle, skin-loving alcohol alternatives — or avoids alcohol altogether in many products.
8. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Some preservatives slowly release formaldehyde to prevent bacterial growth. These include ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, and imidazolidinyl urea.
We never use these ingredients. Ever.
9. Artificial Colors & Dyes
Artificial dyes add no skincare benefits and may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Glimmer Goddess® formulas rely solely on the natural colors of botanical extracts, oils, and clays.
10. Chemical Sunscreen Filters (Oxybenzone & Octinoxate)
While effective at UV protection, certain chemical filters are linked to irritation and environmental concerns. We recommend choosing mineral SPF formulated with non-nano zinc oxide — a safer, more gentle option for the skin.
11. Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, etc.)
Silicones are often used to create a silky, “blurred” finish on the skin. While they are not inherently harmful, they can form a non-breathable layer that traps debris and prevents the skin from receiving true nourishment.
Glimmer Goddess® avoids silicones in favor of botanical oils, aloe-based hydrators, and plant-derived emollients that deliver real skincare benefits — not temporary slip.
12. Triclosan
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that has been restricted or banned in many regions due to concerns about bacterial resistance and hormone disruption. It is never used in any Glimmer Goddess® formula.
13. Chemical Preservatives Associated With Irritation
Strong synthetic preservatives like phenoxyethanol, diazolidinyl urea, and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) may extend shelf life but are also known irritants — especially for sensitive skin.
At Glimmer Goddess®, we use Euxyl K 903, a gentle, nature-identical preservative system preferred by clean beauty formulators for its mildness and safety profile.
14. Harsh Exfoliating Acids Used at High Concentrations
While AHAs and BHAs can be beneficial in low concentrations, many conventional skincare products use high-strength acids that can damage the barrier, causing redness, peeling, or long-term sensitivity.
Our exfoliating products rely on fruit enzymes, botanical extracts, and gentle natural exfoliants that polish the skin without causing irritation.
15. Synthetic Antioxidants (BHA & BHT)
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are synthetic stabilizers used in many mainstream products. They offer no benefit to the skin and are avoided due to safety concerns.
We rely solely on plant-derived antioxidants such as vitamin C (from Camu Camu, Amla, and Acerola), vitamin E, green tea extract, kelp extract, and fruit seed oils.
What Glimmer Goddess® Uses Instead
Our philosophy is simple: every ingredient must serve a purpose, nourish the skin, and align with clean beauty standards. Instead of synthetics, we rely on:
- Organic botanical oils (rosehip, jojoba, sweet almond, safflower)
- Plant-based humectants (vegetable glycerin, aloe vera)
- Natural antioxidants & vitamins (Camu Camu, Amla, Acerola, vitamin E)
- Stem cells from fruits (apple, lingonberry, orchid, orange)
- Peptides (copper peptides, tripeptides, Argireline)
- Fermented ingredients (erythrulose, xanthan gum gel)
- Low-level essential oils — used sparingly and safely
- Fragrance-free options for ultra-sensitive skin
These ingredients offer real results — brightness, firmness, hydration, and barrier support — without compromising skin health.
How to Read a Skincare Ingredient List
The first five ingredients often make up the majority of the formula. Look for labels that begin with:
- Aloe vera juice
- Distilled water
- Organic plant oils
- Botanical extracts
- Fruit-based antioxidants
Avoid products that start with:
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Synthetic fragrance
- Denatured alcohol
- Silicones
Glimmer Goddess® formulations are intentionally transparent and easy to understand — because clean beauty should never be complicated.
People Also Search For
- Which skincare ingredients are most harmful?
- What should I look for in clean beauty products?
- How do I know if skincare is toxic?
- What ingredients are banned in other countries?
- Is organic skincare safer?
These questions reflect a growing desire for safer, gentler, more transparent beauty — the foundation of every Glimmer Goddess® product, handcrafted in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skincare ingredients should I avoid?
Avoid synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, mineral oil, drying alcohols, artificial dyes, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and harsh chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone. These ingredients can irritate the skin, disrupt the barrier, or cause long-term sensitivity issues.
What are the most harmful skincare ingredients?
The ingredients most associated with irritation or safety concerns include synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, triclosan, MIT, drying alcohols, and petroleum-derived ingredients. Glimmer Goddess® excludes all of these from its formulations.
Is clean beauty actually safer?
Clean beauty emphasizes ingredient safety, transparency, and low-irritation formulations. While “clean beauty” is not regulated, brands like Glimmer Goddess® define it through strict standards: no synthetic fragrance, no harsh preservatives, no petrochemicals, and high concentrations of organic, plant-based ingredients.
What ingredients are toxic in personal care products?
Toxic or questionable ingredients may include parabens, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, mineral oil, chemical SPF filters, synthetic dyes, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Choosing clean formulas helps reduce exposure to these harsh chemicals.
References
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics & Personal Care Products. (Accessed 2025)
- American Academy of Dermatology. Sensitive Skin & Common Irritants. AAD.org. (Accessed 2025)
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Fragrance-Related Dermatitis & Sensitizers. (2023)
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Preservatives. (2024)
Internal Links
- Clean Beauty Routine Guide
- Clean Beauty Philosophy
- Organic Serums Collection
- Apple Stem Cell Serum
- Copper Peptide Moisturizer
All Glimmer Goddess® skincare is handcrafted in Texas.
