Bonjour Bonjout Beauty!

I've always focused on curating for our customers at Sommetbeauty; it's one of the things that truly sets us apart. There are some days though that I worry that I'm not curated enough! It takes a lot of time and discipline to maintain a tight edit, and I'm so pleased that Bonjout Beauty is part of our curation. But more importantly, I am so inspired by the brand's founder, French pharmacist Dr. Natacha Bonjout, who has found a way to edit within her own line - a one size fits all if you will. 

Sommetbeauty and Bonjout Beauty have launched a partnership in studio for the month with a facial protocol picked by none other than Natacha that begins and ends with her hero product, Le Balm. I've asked her the ins and outs of starting her incredible brand, and I hope you extract as much joy from learning from her as I have thus far. 

Jane: Walk us through your beauty routine? AM and PM please!

Natacha: I have a very simple routine, but I think consistency and patience are keys to see results and efficiency.

AM Routine:

  • Light Cleansing as soon as I wake up: I always recommend skipping the morning as your skin reconstitutes its flora overnight to protect itself and it’s a pity to remove it… it’s the total opposite of the squeaky-clean method… I usually only use a toner or a micellar water (I love the one from Furtuna skin Acqua Serena Micellar Essence) or a thermal water.
  • Water-based Serum (Vitamin C): Follow with my favorite vitamin C serum.

Then I take my breakfast to let my skin soak with the Vitamin C… and then after brushing my teeth, I follow with:

  • Le Balm: I apply Le Balm Solid Serum. To protect my skin barrier all day long, plump, sooth my skin and lock in moisture.
  • SPF and Makeup: I finish with a SPF 50 (I always buy them in French pharmacy like SVR SPF50 Blur Sun Secure) and a touch up of makeup (blush or highlighter).

PM Routine:

  • Double Cleansing: I like to start with Furtuna Cleansing Oil Balm and then I use Irene Forte Lavender Foam Cleanser.
  • Twice a week I apply an OTC retinol: I like the one I buy in French pharmacy which is at least twice more concentrated than the ones considered as cosmetic grade. My favorite one is Effederm 0.05% Tretinoine but you need to ask for a prescription to get it.
  • Le Balm: I apply Le Balm on dry or slightly damp skin. I usually apply a thick layer by night and I use it as an overnight mask. My skin is very dry and sensitive, and this solid serum truly saves my skin.

Jane: How did you come up with this 8-in-1 hero product? Such discipline! Tell us a bit about your background too!

Natacha: I grew up in the South of France, surrounded by the beauty rituals of my mother and grandmother, and the stunning Mediterranean landscape. From a very young age, I always dreamt of creating my own cosmetics. When I was 12, I met a famous chemist, Professor Christine Poelman, who shared an insight with me: “If you want to be a skin expert, you need to study pharmacy."

In France, pharmacists are the first to address and advise on skin concerns, so I pursued pharmacy school. At the end of my studies, I began a scientific thesis on a topic I was passionate about: skin complexion, at the prestigious Chanel lab. But this was just the beginning of my journey into the Science of Radianceä. Over 15 years, I tried hundreds of cosmetic formulations and screening thousands of active ingredients—until I made a breakthrough discovery: the Skin Radiance Activatorä, which renews the skin’s natural radiance from within.

During this journey, I drew inspiration from an iconic French pharmacy skincare: Lait-crème concentré from Embryolisse. This multitasking 5-in-1 product (moisturizer, mask, cleanser, makeup primer, after-shave, and after-sun) was a backstage favorite among makeup artists during Paris Fashion Week. It sparked my vision for a universal, all-in-one skincare solution that could suit all generations. As a French and mom of two, I embraced the less-is-more approach in my routine, and I wanted to create a multitasker that reflected this philosophy.

For five years, I dedicated myself to developing a formula that could replace multiple products in a routine. My goal was to create something as efficient as applying nine layers of products to your skin. To achieve this, the formula had to be waterless and in a solid format.

Traditional serums are most of the time liquids and often contain between 70% to 95% of water, which dilutes their efficacy. I wanted to challenge this by crafting a product with 100% active ingredients—a concept that hadn’t been seen in the beauty world before. The solid serum melts easily onto the skin when warmed between your fingers; it’s not sticky at all, it is incredibly weightless, like a thin veil of satin on the face. It’s designed to be used anywhere, including under the eyes and on the lips, and is suitable for all skin types—even the most sensitive or acne-prone.

As a French pharmacist, I was driven by the desire to create a skincare staple that simplifies routines, suits everyone, and embodies the universal essence of beauty. And so, Le Balm was born. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy or heavy—just soft, nourished, youthful, luminous, and of course, radiant.

Jane: How do you think about the continued evolution of your brand given your decision to have a multi-functional singular product?

Natacha: My vision is to create multi-functional products across all beauty categories. I can’t wait to share more about the four additional products currently in development. One of these has been in my lab for eight years, undergoing hundreds of iterations to achieve the perfect formula.

As a strong advocate for sustainability in beauty, I believe in simplifying routines by focusing on essential products, rather than cluttering our bathrooms with items that often go half used. I don’t want to contribute to an already saturated market with formulas that aren’t truly necessary or that competitors can easily offer. Instead, I’m dedicated to creating a few, carefully crafted products that will become timeless beauty staples. Think of them like the iconic 8 Hour Cream from Elizabeth Arden, which has endured through generations.

Looking ahead, I see the continued evolution of my brand by expanding into new beauty categories, such as color cosmetics or beauty supplements or hair care. In makeup, for example, there’s immense potential to innovate, especially in replacing harmful ingredients like D4/D5 silicones, which not only harm the planet but also compromise the effectiveness of your skincare.

Jane: How do you define beauty?

Natacha: Radiance is how I define beauty. For me, it’s the most beautiful skin that you can have. Radiant, luminous skin has a soothed texture, appears plump and youthful, and displays a uniform tone. It emanates happiness, health, and self-love.

Radiant skin reflects not only physical beauty but also inner joy and self-acceptance. Ultimately, embracing this radiance is a celebration of who we are. When our skin glows with health and vitality, it inspires confidence and invites others to see the beauty within themselves.


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