About
Our products are plant based, natural, palm free and plastic free.
All of our recipes are invented, created and manufactured on our property in the Snowy Mountains of NSW Australia. The business came about due to my own skin issues and so many synthetics in products including fragrance cocktails with unknown lists of ingredients. Allergies and skin irritations were a never ending story. Our traditional recipes - some of which are a twist on very old recipes, are made with pure oils and butters and only natural goodness.
OUR INGREDIENTS
We use ethically sourced natural and organic ingredients.
Some of these ingredients include, but are not limited to, naturally occurring glycerine, natural plant-based oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, caster oil, Shea, cocoa butters, hemp oil, Apricot kernel oil, and Sweet almond oil. All of these ingredients produce naturally nourishing and moisturising elements to the skin.
Additionally we use natural essential oils, flowers, herbs and spices to add colour and perfume to the products. We also use ethically sourced and cruelty free mica. This allows INSTINKS products to feel absolutely gorgeous, gentle and healing to the skin, plus you can see every ingredient. There is no hidden ingredients.
We only use lab tested certified essential oils, absolutes and resins in our formulations. We will never incorporate artificial fragrances due to their endocrine disruption, carcinogenic properties. Artificial fragrances cause endless health issues. There is plenty of independent research out there to support such.. We work with many highly sensitive clients so this is extremely important to us.
When you think of all the products in your house and what you use, most contain a fragrance. From your dish washing liquid to deodorant, soap to laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, creams and lotions, it doesn't end.
According to HealthDirect.gov.au 1 in 3 people report having health problems from fragrances and that statistic is increasing as well.
While one fragrance may not cause an issue, the fact that we are bombarded with fragrance is an issue for many. Fragranced products contain chemicals — including pollutants — that become airborne and this can be a concern for some people, particularly if they are sensitive.
Sadly fragranced products aren’t as heavily regulated in Australia as food or pharmaceutical products. Manufacturers can put the words ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a list of ingredients rather than the specific chemicals used. This makes it more difficult for people to identify the substances they know may affect them.
This is why at INSTINKS we only use ingredients we can list. So you as a buyer can choose what you know works for you and not gamble with unknown ingredients. Personally once i ruled out the cocktail of fragrances and only started using natural known ingredients my skin calmed down, my skin problems vanished and so did our kit. Friends noticed and wanted what i was making. Hence the business was born.
We challenge you to write down for just one day all the ingredients you come in contact with, including how many times fragrance is listed, This includes your laundry detergent and cleaning products.
Say you use the following:
Deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, face cream, body cream. 6 fragrances all of which have an average of 30 ingredients each time. That's approximately 180 unknown ingredients in one sitting, and all you did was get ready for work. Which is why we offer our products with and without a scent and when we do use scent it is our own blend of essential oils. So that we can help you lead a happier life knowing what ingredients you are including in your daily routine.
Why we don't use natural fragrance and choose only essential oils as our scents. (but its natural)
Of course you can get natural fragrance. There is plenty of makers who can offer these to you. But at INSTINKS we still refuse to use these as you cannot see what is in a natural fragrance either, Fragrance natural or not is proprietary ( a company does not have to list what is in their fragrance) so how do you know if you have an allergy or irritation to one of the ingredients when you do not know what is in it. Many people have allergies to natural products as well and may be unaware that a simple ingredient in natural fragrance could be causing issues.
How Did the Name INSTINKS Come About.
Instinks is not a spelling error, it’s a play on words… Trust your instincts “INSTINKS” and enjoy the latest IN Stinks! Great essential oil blends and great products.
OUR PRODUCTS
INSTINKS method of soap-making is using the cold-press method. This method creates a biodegradable soap and is not harmful to the environment. There is literally no waste. Everything gets used and turned into beautiful soaps which assists the skin and in turn our feeling of well-being. Every bar (and every product) made at INSTINKS is poured, cut, stamped and packed by hand, here in the the Snowy Mountains of NSW.
We make natural and quality products. In addition there are no nasties in our products as we are extremely diligent in using natural ingredients (Preservative is the only exception in our water based creams as it is law to use a preservative in this case, Our pure butters and salves do not need preservative as they contain no water). We do not use Parabens or SLS. The flow-on effect when water is going into our drains and then into our waterways is my way of contributing to our beautiful natural wildlife and our local Jindabyne lake. We are against the use of microbeads in products. We use natural exfoliants such as coconut, loofah, beans and other natural items all to help our environment and water.
Why we don't use synthetic fragrances
PACKAGING/BOTTLING/LABELLING AND SHIPPING
PRODUCT PACKAGING
Our packaging, where possible, is 100% recycled and recyclable or compostable. we continue to research and search for packaging/bottling/labeling solutions that will be fully eco-friendly. We are constantly researching and seeking more efficient methods of production and in turn creating a greater impact in our work practices. Packaging suppliers are coming out with better products daily and as we find better options we switch to them.