Skin for all seasons

Bridget Carmady, a naturopath and the founder of certified organic skincare brand Clémence Organics, doesn’t believe in skin types. We find out why.

There’s a reason why Clémence Organics has only a single line of products in its range. “It’s because I don’t believe in skin types,” says founder and naturopath Bridget Carmady. “I know it’s a bold statement but hear me out.”
Bridget says the skin types you hear most often are normal, dry, oily, mature, combination, and sensitive. “But who only has one skin type? And what is normal?” she asks. “I know my skin varies according to the season, what I’m eating, the climate I’m in, my current stress levels, and what I’m using on my skin. For example, in summer I would say that my skin is oily. In winter it’s dry and always sensitive. How do I label that?

“The truth of the matter is, your skin is never one skin type but rather a living, breathing, changeable organ, and you should treat it as such. By adapting your diet and skin care, you can keep your skin happy, no matter the season.”

Autumn

“Currently I’m using the full regime of Clémence facial products because I live in a dry climate and it’s early spring. Work has been busy lately and so my stress levels are a little higher than usual. Because of this I know that the extra cortisol pumping through my bloodstream is sending the nutrients I’m eating to other organs and feeding my skin last. I’m also exercising less at the moment because most days I struggle to get out of bed early enough to fit in a run.
“These factors combined cause my skin to beg for extra hydration and so I give it all the serum and cream it desires. I also spritz my skin throughout the day to keep it moist, especially when I’m in the office with indoor heating. On top of this, I use our 2 in 1 Face Exfoliant + Mask every second day to nourish my skin and increase the turnover of skin cells.
“To look after the skin on my body, I lather myself in our award-winning Ultimate Hand + Body Lotion after every shower. This keeps my body super nourished and flake-free.”

Winter

“During the cooler months, I try to feed my skin by adding extra fats to my diet including avocado, nuts and oily fish. And while I don’t drink as much water, I sip on herbal teas throughout the day and try not to have too much caffeine as it dehydrates skin.”

Spring

“As the weather warms, I will slowly decrease the amount of serum and cream I apply and replace some of the extra fats in my diet with ‘lighter’ nutrient-dense meals including soups and salads.”

Summer

“In summer I tend to use my Face Crème sparingly and will often apply the Spritz and Serum, or just the Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion during the day. This is because the warm summer weather naturally encourages my skin to produce more oils.”

For every skin

So what makes the Clémence range so adaptable and suitable for everyone? Well, for starters, it’s 100 per cent natural and certified organic with no chemicals or unnecessary ingredients, which minimises the risk of a reaction. Ingredients are non-comedogenic which means their products won’t block pores, reducing the formation of blackheads and acne.
Perhaps more importantly, the range is designed to balance your skin’s pH, microbiome and sebum levels, allowing your skin to reach a natural equilibrium. The skin has an inherent ability to heal itself and so the products you put on it should support this process, not make it harder.
Bridget’s advice is “don’t label your skin”. Listen to what it needs according to where you’re at, what you’re eating and how you’re feeling. Choose skincare products that support your skin. If you can adapt to give your skin what it needs right now you may just find your “normal”.
Based in the NSW Blue Mountains, Bridget Carmady is a degree-qualified naturopath, passionate about nutrition and complementary medicine, especially when it comes to skincare. In practice, Bridget found her clients were searching for a regime that actually worked for their skin concerns while still being 100 per cent natural and certified organic. With 29 beauty awards and several international launches, Clémence Organics is fast becoming one of Australia’s best-loved natural beauty brands.

Visit their website to nourishing and care for your skin.
clemenceorganics.com