The Sneaky Ingredients You Should Actually Avoid (Sorry, But They’re in Your Glow-Up)

This is the third segment of the Voguegenics Glow Guide series.
🔗 Explore the full series here: https://voguegenics.com/category/glow-guide/

The Voguegenics Glow Guide is your no-fluff, glow-up glossary for understanding skincare ingredients in style. Each post breaks down the science, debunks the hype, and delivers practical advice—with a little wit and a lot of glow.

😬 The Ugly Side of Beauty

We spend hours scrolling, studying labels, and trying the latest miracle potion—but sometimes, the ingredients lurking in our glow-up are doing more harm than good.

Let’s talk about the real red flags.

🚫 Fragrance (Even the Fancy Kinds)

We love a good scent… in a candle. But in skincare? It’s a common skin irritant, especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

💡 Pro Tip: If “parfum” or “fragrance” is high on the list, your glow-up might be sabotaging your barrier.

🚫 Alcohol Denat. (Not the Kind You Sip)

It feels like it’s doing something—it tingles, it tightens, it mattifies. But it’s drying out your skin faster than a midday latte spill on your blouse.

What to look for: Alcohol denat, SD alcohol, or ethanol near the top of the list = red flag.

🚫 Coconut Oil (Yes, Seriously)

We know, we know. It’s in everything. But while coconut oil has benefits, it’s highly comedogenic—meaning it tends to clog pores and trigger breakouts. Basically, it’s a recipe for chaos if you’re acne-prone.

Save it for: your body, hair, or a DIY scrub. Keep it far from your face.

🚫 Essential Oils (A Little Too Extra)

They smell divine, but many essential oils are phototoxic or irritating to facial skin—especially in high amounts.

Common culprits: Lavender, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree (unless specifically formulated for safe facial use).

🌿 Bonus: Greenwashing Ingredients

Just because it sounds natural doesn’t mean it’s safe. Words like “botanical,” “plant-derived,” or “eco-friendly” aren’t regulated. Do your research, not just your vibe check.

💡 Pro Tip: Look past the pretty packaging and dig into the actual INCI list (that’s the ingredient list in its science-y form).

🧱 Real Talk: Your Skin Barrier Deserves Better

Most of these ingredients mess with your skin’s barrier—the layer that keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. Once it’s compromised, it’s game over: dryness, redness, sensitivity, even breakouts.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid barrier-breakers and load up on skin-repairing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and—you guessed it—squalane.

🔄 Swap This for That

Want to glow smarter? Here’s what to toss—and what to replace it with:

• ❌ Coconut oil → ✅ Squalane oil (non-comedogenic and glow-friendly)
• ❌ Fragrance-heavy creams → ✅ Fragrance-free moisturizers like CeraVe PM
• ❌ Alcohol-based toners → ✅ Hydrating toners like Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

👉 Check out our recommended picks on Amazon. ***Voguegenics participates in the Amazon Associates Program. Purchasing through our links above helps support Voguegenics at no extra cost to you—and we love you for it.***

📥 Free Download: Sneaky Ingredient Label Decoder

Want a cheat sheet to take with you while shopping?

👉 Download the Sneaky Ingredient Decoder PDF

Stick it on your phone. Slap it on your fridge. Never let a rogue essential oil sneak past you again.

🙈 Personal Lesson? Been There.

Once upon a glow-up, I bought an $85 “clean” moisturizer because it was expensive, the font was cute, and it had lavender oil. Within three days, I had a rash that matched my lipstick. Cute in theory. Not on my face.

We live and learn—preferably without peeling.

🧴 But Wait—Not All Is Lost

Skincare isn’t about fear. It’s about informed choices.

If you’ve been using any of these, don’t panic. You’re not doomed—you’re evolving.

💡 Pro Tip: Start by swapping out one sneaky ingredient at a time. Your skin will thank you (probably by glowing like it finally got 8 hours of sleep).

More Skincare, the Voguegenics Way:
Tagged under: Glow Guide

• Hyaluronic Acid the Voguegenics Way
• Why Squalane is Your Skin’s BFF
• Glow Guide to Acne

✨ Stay tuned for more skincare truths, ingredient breakdowns, and Voguegenics-approved glow strategies.

Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal

Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 

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