The Holistic Difference
There is an average of 82,000 ingredients currently being used in personal care products. One in eight of those contain industrial chemicals. The Environmental Working Group estimates the average adult is exposed to 126 of those ingredients through daily personal grooming. The average woman uses 12 products per day, while men use an average of 6 products.
At Holistic we have dedicated endless hours of research and planning in selecting our bath & skin care products for both children and adults. We quickly realized we were facing a highly unregulated industry that loosely used words such as organic and natural. Our research was assisted by Skin Deep (www.ewg.org) and The David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org).
One of the most disturbing facts about some of these chemicals is that they are hormone disruptors, xenoestrogens. The implications of these estrogen mimicking chemicals is far ranging for children, adults and wildlife.
Xenoestrogens are industrially made compounds such as PCB, BPA and Phthalates that have estrogenic effects on living organisms. Their potential ecological and human health impact is under extensive study by many scientific institutions. They are also called “environmental hormones” or “EDC” (Endocrine Disrupting Compounds), and most scientists who have studied them — including The Endocrine Society — regard them as a serious environmental hazard with hormone-disruption effects on wildlife and humans.
At Holistic our products are all made of natural ingredients. Many of our product lines are handmade in small batches and are sourced locally and regionally. We also carry exclusive spa and salon quality products from North America and Europe.
A commitment to carrying natural and organic products starts with a list of what our products DO NOT CONTAIN:
What we leave out
Ingredients you won’t find in our products.
Synthetic Fragrance
Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate synthetic ingredients. It may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause reproductive and developmental harm.
Triclosan
An antibacterial widely used in soaps, toothpastes, and deodorants. It has been detected in breast milk and one study found it interferes with testosterone activity in cells.
Coal Tar
A known human carcinogen used in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar dyes such as FD&C Blue (toothpaste) and FD&C Green 3 (mouthwash) have been found carcinogenic in animal studies.
Parabens
Methyl and Propyl Paraben are the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics. Studies show they are potential hormone disruptors and can affect male reproductive function.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
A surfactant/solvent that is the active component in antifreeze. The same PG used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure is found in deodorants, makeup, hair products, lotions, baby wipes and toothpaste.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Detergents/surfactants found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers, yet used in cosmetics, toothpaste, conditioner and ~90% of all shampoos that foam. Can transform into nitrosamines (carcinogens) and penetrate skin, leaving residual levels in heart, liver, lungs and brain.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs)
Used to dissolve oil/grease and thicken products; also in caustic oven cleaners. Strips the natural moisture factor and is a known human carcinogen.
Imidazolidinyl Urea
A harsh preservative that releases formaldehyde, which (per the Mayo Clinic) can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations.
DEA, MEA, TEA
Hormone-disrupting chemicals that form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines, common in foaming products. Linked to increases in liver and kidney cancers in studies of DEA-based detergents.
Phthalates
Industrial plastic softeners/solvents in many beauty products; shown to damage liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems, and absorbed through skin or inhaled.
Siloxanes
Used to soften and smooth cosmetics; a suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant, harmful to fish and wildlife.
Petrolatum
A petroleum product used for shine and moisture barrier; can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which could cause cancer.
Real ingredients.
Real care. Real difference.