At Hand & Land, we value and embrace the importance of practical clean living. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and works more like a sponge than a barrier, absorbing lotions and potions straight into the bloodstream. A daily routine of ordinary products mixes up a chemical cocktail that can have devastating health effects. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), women use 12 daily personal care products containing up to 168 different ingredients, leaving a lot of room for toxic buildup. It is crucial to know what goes into the products we use and is a responsibility we owe to ourselves.* 

We promise not to carry any products that contain the following: 

DIOXANE: This chemical is used in products that lather, like shampoo, toothpaste, and body wash. It is considered harmful due to its contamination in the manufacturing process and can lead to skin irritation, as well as is a possible carcinogen.

ARTIFICIAL MUSKS: These musks are often found in fragrances, hair care products, moisturizers, cosmetics, and even products labeled “unscented.” These are considered toxic because they are endocrine disruptors and possible environmental contaminants due to bioaccumulation. 

COAL TAR-DERIVED COLORS: This is commonly found in hair dyes and made our toxic ten list because of its cause of allergens, neurotoxin buildup, and possible carcinogens. 

BHA & BHT: These ingredients are used moisturizers, makeup, and some fragrances. These chemicals are known to cause allergens, developmental toxicants, and are endocrine disruptors. 

SILICONE CHEMICALS: Like artificial musks, these chemicals are commonly found in hair care products, moisturizers, and cosmetics. They have the ability to cause harm to our bodies as a skin irritant and as an environmental contaminant due to bioaccumulation. 

PHTHALATES: This chemical is found in nail products, perfume, cleaning products, hair products, moisturizers, and cosmetics. The allergens created in this process are linked to asthma, reproductive and developmental toxicants, and are endocrine disruptors. 

TRICLOSAN: Your products labeled “antibacterial” are very likely to contain this ingredient in its chemical makeup. Found also in antiperspirants and deodorant, cleansers and hand sanitizers, this chemical is an endocrine disruptor and environmental toxicant. 

FORMALDEHYDE RELEASING AGENTS: These agents are commonly found in hair care products, moisturizers, and cosmetics. It made our toxic ten list due to its toxicity to immune systems, as well as remaining an endocrine disruptor. 

PARABENS: Parabens are found in a number of cosmetics and moisturizers and is harmful to our bodies as an allergen, male reproductive toxicant, immune system toxicant, and endocrine disruptor. 

PATROLATUM: Also known as petroleum jelly, patrolatum is often found in various lip, skin, and hair care products. These can be contaminated with PAHs which are carcinogens, skin allergens, and irritants. 

*Research courtesy of environmentaldefence.ca