Behind the Brands – Clear Start

It’s one of life’s cruel jokes that pimples and acne often hits during your teenage years, a time when many of us are trying to discover ourslves, while simultaneously trying to fit in with our peer group. The last thing we need is to wake up in the morning and feel our self-confidence being knocked due to an eruption on our skin, or worse to have others pass comment or judgement. Back when I was experiencing the ‘joys’ of teenage skin the only products on the market had a bad habit of stripping the skin, and causing further issues. Thankfully skincare targeted at teens has come a long way since those dark old days, with Clear Start being a clear winner for many.

So what is it about the Clear Start range that sets it apart from other products? Where did the brand come from? We sat down with Caroline, who is the Head of Education at Dermalogica, who house the Clear Start range, and found out!

Caroline, tell us a bit about Clear Start. What are its roots? How did it come about?

Clear Start is formulated in the US by Dermalogica and so shares the same brand ethos as Dermalogica, which is to formulate with ingredients that maintain a healthy skin and which deliver results.  It is a serious skin care line dedicated to clearing up breakout prone teen skin. Clear Start formulas have no known irritants such as SD alcohol or artificial fragrance and no comedogenic ingredients, which can block and congest your skin. As a teenager it’s not just about having pimples it’s about a social traumatising episode that comes with it. We know it’s hard enough being a teenager without feeling self-conscious about the way your skin looks.

What is the best-selling product in the Clear Start range?

The Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is the top seller

What is it about this product that makes it so popular?

Everyone knows that keeping your skin clean is a top priority especially if your skin is oily or prone to breakouts. This product is quick and easy to use and makes a difference straight away. It’s a product that can be kept and used in the shower so it’s not something that is seen as an added step in a young person’s routine.

Do you have a favourite Clear Start product?

I love the Emergency Spot Fix and have definitely been known to use my daughters if I have a breakout appear. It just takes down the redness so well and helps a spot heal faster. My nieces and nephews have me on speed dial in case they run out of this product!

If you could give one piece of advice to people about how to maintain beautiful skin, what would it be?

A good basic routine of a (ph. balanced) cleanser, exfoliant and moisturiser (including an spf) will really help your skin cope more with the variable and sometimes aggressive climate that we have in NZ.

Caroline, our members love learning more about the people behind the brands as well as the brands themselves, so do tell… What is your background? How long have you been in the Beauty Industry?

I trained as a skin therapist in my early twenties and have had the pleasure of working for Dermalogica for almost 18 years. I have worked in skin centres in NZ and the UK but now I focus on training qualified skin therapists in our education centre at Dermalogica Head Office.

To many people, you would have their dream job, what is the best thing?

I really do have my dream job …the absolute best is when I see the change in someone’s self-confidence and even overall happiness after I’ve been able to help them with their skin problem.

Thanks so much for talking with us Caroline. It’s so interesting to discover what causes skin problems to become worse, and what we should be looking for in products to help us with our problem skin. I may be well past teen years, but I think I’ll have to pick up that Emergency Spot Fix for those times that I still break out – it sounds amazing!

If you’re interested in discovering the Clear Start range, or know someone who may benefit from it, check out their website.