Naturally Balanced is a company in Kinsale producing a natural plant-based, chemical-free skincare range designed to feed your skin from the outside in
This enterprise is the brainchild of Tracy McCarthy and John Sullivan owners of Naturally Balanced.
Tracy trained as a beautician, masseuse and reflexologist, before going on to teach her skills to students in the industry. Having opened two successful treatment clinics ( Head To Toe Therapies in Kinsale and Clonakilty) Tracy recognised a need for a skincare range that would not just feed the skin but would also contribute to a clients overall wellbeing.
“I’ve always had a passion for working with skin,” Tracy says, having gone back to college for training, fifteen years ago.
This mother-of-six is a strong advocate for keeping skincare plant-based and chemical-free. She works with both carrier and essential oils, formulating and hand blending to produce the facial, lip and body oils in four main ranges.
RESTORE facial, lip and body oils are specifically blended to penetrate deep into the tissues and nourish dry skin. Essential oils of Geranium, Neroli and Frankincense reduce inflammation, promote cell regeneration and balance skin tone.
The NATURAL range targets sun-damaged skin to help reduce fine lines and promote healing and collagen production by including ingredients such as Seabuckthorn oil and Vitamin E oil.
The BALANCE range aims to soothe and calm skin by restoring harmony and reducing inflammation.
The latest addition to the production line is the PURE range. This range of oils unlike the others is fragrance-free and aims to moisturise, protect and repair skin.
“The oils are all plant-based with no chemicals in them. What goes on your skin goes through your skin so the oils are for health and well-being for the whole body.” Tracy explains that the molecules of plant-based oils “penetrate the skin and enter our blood supply. They have many benefits. They provide hydration and give you protection from the outside elements, making your skin supple and smooth”.
Of course, it’s not just the texture of these innovative oils that clients love but also the captivating smells because of the use of essential oils.
“Essential oils have a lot of properties. Lavender oil is really good for healing. I also use neroli as a facial oil and geranium as well as many others to compliment the chosen carrier oils.” Tracy herself is her own most dedicated client.
“I don’t use creams anymore. Creams are water-based. Some serums would have oils in them. It’s basically about finding the right type of cosmetics for you and your skin type and condition. As you get older — I’m in my fifties — the skin produces less oil so I need more oil to go onto my skin.”
Tracy has future plans to grow her offerings to include hair oil to feed the scalp.. While that is in the pipeline Tracy advises using the body oil range to feed hair.
The price point of this skincare range is very competitive. “You can purchase one of the 30ml facial oils for €30. It will last a long time. You put a bit on your finger and start working it into your forehead. You’ll probably need to apply more. Your skin will tell you how much it needs. Some serums can cost over €40. I don’t do serums. Naturally Balanced products are on a par with a lot of facial oils, but ours are all plant-based.”
Tracy, originally from the UK, has been living in Ireland for thirty-four years. She reared her family in Clonakilty before moving to Kinsale. Her clients has grown hugely in the last number of years. She has dedicated a huge portion of her career to sports injuries of athletes from a range of disciplines. This is where the Body Oil range grew from.
“I adapt my treatments to my clients on the day and because the range of body oils is so versatile they compliment my treatments perfectly.” Tracy believes that people are looking for more natural holistic approaches to looking after themselves, at least on the cosmetic front. “They’re trying to keep it as natural as possible.” Tracy uses her oils as base for her own make-up.
“I would use a light oil underneath my make-up. I also use oil to take off my eye make-up. People think oil leaves your skin greasy; it doesn’t. Basically, the oil is absorbed by the skin. I adjust the oils for people with oily skin.” For a stress reliever, Tracy does foot soaks infusing them with essential oils and dried flowers. You can sit and watch TV while your feet soak in water with Epsom salt and oils.
“You get the benefits of the magnesium in the Epsom salt and oils,” she says. It’s a great way to chill out — and health-promoting.
So next time you pick up a facial cream or body oil, really look at the ingredients and ask yourself how many of them do you recognise…maybe it is time to go the natural route