We speak to Polly Roderick from the natural skincare brand Natural Instinct. Polly and her team have been blending high-quality plant-derived ingredients, certified organic extracts and pure essential oils for over a decade. 

What are the core values behind Natural Instinct?

Natural Instinct is all about helping woman achieve beautiful skin, naturally. We know most women want to feel good about themselves and achieve glowing skin. Our greatest joy is found in helping these women do so without a huge price tag. We put our hearts into everything we do and every interaction we have.

Our brand DNA is all about:

• Using the finest natural ingredients sourced in a responsible and sustainable way.
• Offering highly effective and uniquely formulated products that women love.
• Caring for all living things — our products are all vegan and we do not test on animals or use animal by-products.

What is your personal definition of natural beauty?

Every woman is a natural beauty to us – it’s all about having confidence in yourself and not feeling that you have to cover up or hide from the world. We love it when we hear stories about how our consumers used to lather on layers of foundation to cover their imperfections because they thought they were not good enough. However, after using Natural Instinct and taking the time out from their busy days to care for themselves physically and spiritually, they now have the confidence to leave the house fresh-faced and naturally beautiful. That is what makes me proud to be a part of the natural movement.

Please list some harmful ingredients found in commercial make-up products. Why is it important that we avoid these chemicals when it comes to skincare?

It is so important to know what you are putting on your skin. The fact is the skin in your largest organ and it readily absorbs chemicals into the body, especially the chemicals that you apply directly onto your skin. Due to regulations, companies must include a list of ingredients on all packaging so consumers can easily scan through and make a decision on whether it is a healthy choice for them. Avoid these chemicals:

Parabens: Parabens are used in skincare as a preservative as they are highly effective at preventing the growth of fungi, bacteria and yeast on products. While this is important, there are natural alternatives that can do the same job without harming the skin.

Silicones: These ingredients add a film on the skin, making skin feel smoother and softer to the touch. However, they can trap dirt, sweat and bacteria, adding to build-up and clogging of pores, which can lead to breakouts, uneven skin, dryness and more.

Synthetic fragrances: There can be all sorts of chemicals hiding in synthetic fragrances, meaning you might not know what you are putting on your skin and what is being absorbed into the bloodstream. The contents within a fragrance do not need to be listed on packaging, which is a scary thought. It is best to stick to products with natural fragrances or those that are made from essential oils.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG): An all-too-frequent feature in skincare formulas, PEGs are used to thicken products. They also strip the skin of natural moisture and contribute to oily or greasy residue on the skin. A big no-no!

What is your favourite product in the Natural Instinct range?

This is such a hard question to answer! The Dark Circle & Wrinkle Reduction Eye Crème is amazing! It has done wonders for my under-eye bags and crow’s feet. I also love the Radiance Mist, which has unique mineralised water in its formula that shrinks my pores and brightens my skin. It is perfect for before make-up application. I couldn’t live without these two products.

What are your three top tips for healthy, glowing skin?

Stay out of the sun and, if you do go in it, protect your skin as much as you can. Apply natural sunscreen, wear a hat and glasses — the whole lot. The sun truly is so damaging to the skin. The damage you already have is most likely attributed to sun exposure. Do your research and find nourishing products with natural ingredients (with minimal synthetics/nasties) that are proven to benefit your specific skin type. Drink lots of water and eat healthily. You can even look at adding a supplement program to best enhance your glowing skin. More often than not, short-term results in skincare do not equal long-term gains for beautiful skin. So be patient and care for your skin every day.

What’s next for Natural Instinct?

We are so excited to announce that we have launched two face masks with Chemist Warehouse. One is an Activated Charcoal Mask and the other is a Pink Clay Mask. The Charcoal is great at detoxifying and promoting even skin tone while the Pink Clay will brighten and nourish your skin.

For more, visit naturalinstinct.com.au