Australian Lifestyle, Health & Travel

Hair and Beauty

A Guide to Different Dermalogica Cleansers and Their Uses

A Guide to Different Dermalogica Cleansers and Their Uses Choosing a facial cleanser sounds simple until you start comparing formulas for oily skin, dryness, breakouts, and sensitivity. The right cleanser should remove daily dirt, excess oil, sunscreen, and makeup without leaving your skin feeling uncomfortable. A formula that works well for one person may feel too rich or too drying for another. Understanding Dermalogica cleanser types can help you narrow down the options according to your skin’s needs and your daily routine. Dermalogica offers different cleansing products, including gentle daily cleansers, oil-based formulas, and exfoliating options. Each serves a slightly different purpose, so knowing how they differ can make it easier to choose a suitable starting point. Why Choosing the Right Cleanser Matters Cleansing is the first step in many skincare routines. It helps remove substances that accumulate on the skin throughout the day, including sweat, excess sebum, environmental dirt, and cosmetic products. However, effective cleansing does not require your skin to feel tight or completely stripped afterwards. Over-cleansing or using a formula that does not suit your skin can contribute to dryness and irritation. What to Consider Before Choosing a Cleanser Your skin type, current concerns, and preferred routine can all influence your choice. Oily Skin: You may prefer a cleanser that removes excess oil without leaving a heavy residue. Dry Skin: A gentle formula that cleanses without excessive dryness may be more comfortable. Combination Skin: A balanced cleanser can help manage oilier areas while remaining comfortable on drier cheeks. Sensitive Skin: A simple formula with ingredients your skin tolerates is often a sensible starting point. Makeup and Sunscreen Users: You may benefit from an additional first-cleansing step to help remove persistent products. Skin type can also change with weather, age, medication, and other factors. Review how your skin responds instead of assuming one formula will always meet your needs. Understanding Different Dermalogica Cleanser Types Dermalogica’s cleansing range includes products designed for everyday cleansing, removing makeup, and addressing particular skin concerns. The following examples illustrate some of the differences between its well-known Dermalogica cleanser types. Special Cleansing Gel for Everyday Use Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free foaming cleanser intended for daily use. It is an option to consider if you prefer a traditional gel texture that rinses away easily. Its role is to cleanse the skin rather than provide intensive exfoliation or replace targeted skincare treatments. Consider it if you prefer a lightweight, foaming cleanser. Use it according to the product directions as part of your regular routine. Monitor your skin for tightness or dryness, particularly if you already use active ingredients. Foaming cleansers are not automatically unsuitable for dry skin, but the overall formulation and your individual tolerance matter. UltraCalming Cleanser for Sensitive Skin UltraCalming Cleanser is formulated for skin that needs a gentle cleansing approach. It may be worth considering if your skin frequently feels uncomfortable or reacts to products. When choosing a cleanser for sensitive skin, pay attention to the full ingredient list rather than relying on the product name alone. Avoid known personal triggers. Cleanse gently without scrubbing. Follow the product’s instructions for application and removal. Stop using it if irritation develops. Persistent redness, burning, or itching may require professional advice rather than repeated cleanser changes. Special Cleansing Options for Makeup Removal Daily sunscreen, long-wear foundation, and waterproof makeup can be difficult to remove with a single wash. Dermalogica’s PreCleanse is an oil-based cleansing product designed to help dissolve oil-based impurities before a second cleanser is used. This approach is commonly known as double cleansing. Apply the first cleanser as directed to help loosen makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. Follow the product instructions for adding water and rinsing. Use a suitable second cleanser to complete your routine. Double cleansing is not essential for everyone. If your regular cleanser removes your sunscreen and makeup effectively, an additional step may not be necessary. Choosing a Cleanser for Specific Skin Concerns Beyond basic cleansing, some products are formulated for people who want to address uneven texture, congestion, or excess oil. The important distinction is between a cleanser that supports a particular concern and a treatment designed to manage it directly. Daily Microfoliant and Exfoliating Cleansers Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant is a rice-based exfoliating powder activated with water. It differs from a conventional gel cleanser because it provides exfoliation as part of the cleansing process. Exfoliating products may help improve the appearance of uneven surface texture, but they are not necessary for every skin type. Follow the directions for the recommended amount and application method. Avoid aggressive rubbing, particularly if your skin is sensitive. Be cautious when combining exfoliating products with retinoids or other potentially irritating active ingredients. Reduce use or stop if your skin becomes persistently red, tight, or uncomfortable. Clearing Skin and Managing Excess Oil People with oily or blemish-prone skin may prefer products formulated to cleanse away excess sebum and impurities. Dermalogica offers products within its broader range that address these needs, but the most appropriate choice depends on the specific formula and your skin’s condition. Avoid trying to eliminate all oil from your skin. Excessively harsh cleansing can compromise comfort without necessarily preventing future breakouts. If acne is persistent or severe, a cleanser alone may not provide sufficient treatment. A dermatologist can help you choose appropriate products and treatments. How to Use a Dermalogica Cleanser Correctly Even a suitable cleanser can feel uncomfortable if you use too much, scrub too hard, or combine it with too many active products. For most routines, consistency matters more than the number of products you use. Wet your face or prepare your skin as directed by the specific cleanser. Massage gently using your fingertips rather than abrasive tools. Rinse thoroughly, avoiding water that feels excessively hot. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it vigorously. Follow with a moisturiser suited to your skin and sunscreen during the day. Conclusion Understanding the different Dermalogica cleanser types makes it easier to select a product based on your skin’s needs rather

Health and Wellness

Feeling Off? It Might Be More Connected Than You Think

For many women, health conversations happen in fragments. You visit one practitioner for a sore back, another for fatigue, and another for hormonal shifts that leave you wondering if you’re just “getting older.” But what if all of those threads were actually part of the same story? That’s the philosophy at the heart of The Good Joint, a Gold Coast integrated health clinic where practitioners don’t just work in the same building, they work together. One Clinic, One Conversation .. A Team Built Around You Under the guidance of Founder and Head Chiropractor Luke Veverka, the team at The Good Joint brings together an exceptional group of women’s health specialists, among them Prue their Naturopath, Hollie their Acupuncturist, Victoria their Physiotherapist, alongside Chiropractor Julie (who also specialises in pregnancy care) and Remedial Massage Therapist and Manual Lymphatic Drainage practitioners Mikayla and Michele. Across chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy and massage, each practitioner is part of a connected conversation about your care. Women’s Health, From the Inside Out The team is particularly passionate about hormone regulation and nervous system support, two areas that are deeply intertwined and often underestimated in their influence on everything from energy and mood to pain, sleep, and recovery. “When your nervous system is dysregulated, or your hormones are out of sync, it affects your whole life,” the team explains. “Our goal is to look at the full picture, not just treat the symptom.” Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, recovering from pregnancy, managing chronic stress or simply want to feel more like yourself, Good Joint offers a warm, collaborative space to start that conversation. GOOD JOINT™ Stop Getting Passed Around.Everyone’s already here. thegoodjoint.com.au | 07 5651 65942563 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Health and Wellness

Beat the Sunday Scaries: 7 Things to Try Before Monday

By Zahra Ciardi, Psychologist and founder of Ascendant Bali Sunday evening can sometimes feel like the weekend has ended before it actually has. Your thoughts shift towards Monday, unfinished tasks start circling and suddenly checking your inbox feels difficult to resist. Often called the ‘Sunday scaries’, this dread can be a form of anticipatory anxiety – anxiety driven by what might happen next. Interestingly, it’s often uncertainty rather than workload that fuels the feeling. A packed but predictable week may feel more manageable than a quiet one with a single unresolved issue. There is an important distinction, though. If you’re dreading Monday because you’re returning to a harmful workplace, manager or team, that anxiety has a known cause. These strategies may help manage the immediate feelings, but they won’t solve the underlying problem. Otherwise, try these seven things in the final hours of Sunday. 1. Clear your open loops Spend five minutes writing down unfinished tasks, questions and anything you’re worried about forgetting. Choose one or two priorities for Monday and leave the rest on the page. Getting those thoughts out of your head can free up valuable mental space. 2. Reality-check Monday Separate what you know will happen from what you’re predicting. Ask yourself what might be difficult but manageable and what support you have available. The aim isn’t to convince yourself everything will be perfect, but to bring your thinking back to what’s actually known. 3. Create a moment of control Make one decision, complete a small task or set a boundary. Even when you can’t control the bigger stressor, a genuine sense of agency can help reduce distress. 4. Leave something unresolved Resist the urge to plan away every unknown. Instead, deliberately leave one manageable thing unresolved until Monday. Learning to tolerate small amounts of uncertainty can gradually reduce the need to control every detail. 5. Check messages once If completely avoiding your inbox makes you more anxious, choose one time to check it. Set a firm limit and decide what genuinely requires action. Constant checking can briefly relieve uncertainty, but quickly becomes a cycle. 6. Set a finishing time Choose a realistic cut-off for work messages and planning, then create a physical transition into the rest of your evening. Take a walk, have a shower or change into comfortable clothes – anything that signals the working week hasn’t started yet. 7. Stop solving Monday in bed If anxiety is keeping you awake, add anything you’re worried about forgetting to your list. If you’re still alert, get up briefly and do something quiet in low light rather than reopening your inbox or returning to planning. The goal isn’t to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling about Monday. It’s to stop treating uncertainty like an emergency – and allow some things to remain unknown until morning.

Home

Is Your Home Stressing You Out?

We spend plenty of time thinking about how our homes look. But what if we paid more attention to how they make us feel? That’s the thinking behind neuroarchitecture, an approach to design that considers how our brains and nervous systems respond to the spaces around us. Australian neuroarchitect Ozge Fettahlioglu says that while traditional architecture and interior design often begin with aesthetics and function, neuroarchitecture starts with a different question: what do we want this space to help us feel and do? It’s an approach she put to the test when renovating her own family beach house. “We fell in love with our beach house the moment we saw it: high ceilings, wood cladding, the nostalgic charm of a treehouse, a century-old Angophora on the block,” she says. But despite its beauty, the house lacked adequate natural light, airflow and good acoustics. Fettahlioglu decided to turn it into what she calls a “living laboratory”, applying the same evidence-based design principles she uses professionally. Central to the renovation was biophilic design – essentially, designing to strengthen our connection with nature. “You’ve already felt biophilic design working on you dozens of times without knowing its name,” Fettahlioglu says. “It’s nature’s Wi-Fi: invisible, but you feel its effects wherever you go.” And no, that doesn’t mean filling every room with pot plants. Natural light, views of greenery and sky, airflow and materials such as timber, stone and natural fibres can all influence how a space feels. “Natural light regulates our circadian rhythm, affecting sleep, mood and energy far more than most people realise,” she says. Layout matters, too. A home that funnels everyone into one noisy space can contribute to overstimulation, while creating distinct areas for rest, focus and connection can help us switch gears. Fettahlioglu says one mistake is blindly following interior-design rules without considering how we actually use a space. A sofa pushed against a wall, for example, might horrify some design purists – but Fettahlioglu says humans instinctively like to feel protected from behind. “Your home should feel like a sanctuary, not a stage set where you are the vulnerable prop.” The good news is you don’t need a major renovation to apply these principles. Fettahlioglu recommends introducing what she calls “Vitamin N” – nature – through plants, landscape artwork or natural textures. Swap synthetic fabrics for linen, wool or cotton where possible and incorporate timber in places you’ll actually touch, such as a desk, stool or handrail. Her most important advice, however, comes before choosing paint colours, tiles or furniture. “Ask what each space needs to help you do: rest, focus, connect, recover – and let that guide the light, materials and layout,” she says. “A beautiful home that leaves you stressed, sleepless or drained isn’t doing its job.”

Home

First time renovating? The rules that can save you thousands

Renovations test both patience and creativity. But with planning, clear communication, emotional awareness and a few key renovation tips, the process can be much smoother and more enjoyable. By Glen James and Rachelle Kroon There are three main reasons you may choose to renovate: To add value. Increasing the valuation of your property gives you instant equity and allows you to utilise the equity you’ve built. You may use this to release a family or government guarantee, buy an investment property, or simply for peace of mind that your loan is now lower in comparison to the value of your property. To make it your own. Renovations allow you to create the space you want to live in and tailor the property to your lifestyle and preferences. To get into a better area. Fixing up a lower grade property in an area you’re happy with for now may give you the boost you need to move to the next property you want to live in longer term. Knowing your ‘why’ when you choose to renovate will help guide how you go about it and what you choose to improve. Understanding the costs Before starting any renovation, it’s crucial to understand the full costs involved. Factor in materials, approvals, labour, project management, time, bad weather and unexpected issues that may arise. Knowing the total cost upfront helps you avoid surprises and ensures your renovation adds value rather than becoming a financial burden. This is where planning is key! Financing a renovation Many property owners use the equity in their home to fund renovations. This allows you to access funds without needing to save the entire amount upfront. Consider the end value of the property after renovations: will the improvements give you enough equity or value increase to justify the cost? Add value in a way that actually adds value. How handy are you? If you’re handy and undertaking some work yourself, this can reduce costs. However, ensure you’re realistic about your skills and the time required. There’s nothing worse than burning out trying to save cash – sometimes it’s best just to pay a professional! Poor DIY work can also reduce the value added or create costly fixes later, so ensure your skills are up to the task. When do I need council approval? Some renovations require council approval, especially structural changes, extensions or alterations to the property’s exterior. Approval rules vary greatly by location, so it’s essential to check with your local council before starting any work. Even minor renovations can trigger requirements depending on zoning, heritage overlays or building codes. Always confirm early to avoid fines, delays or costly modifications. Planning and project management Good planning is key. Create a timeline, set a budget and consider hiring a project manager if the renovation is complex. Keep track of contractors, deliveries and permits to avoid delays and unexpected costs. The emotional side of renovations Renovating a home can be exciting, but it’s also stressful. Even small projects can uncover unexpected issues: unplanned wet weather days, structural surprises or trades that cost you more than you expected. It’s easy to get frustrated, anxious or overwhelmed when things don’t go perfectly according to plan. Practical tips to ease the emotional challenge include: Set realistic expectations. Prepare yourself mentally for delays, extra costs or minor hiccups. These are annoying, but normal. Anticipating bumps in the road helps reduce stress when they happen. Plan and budget carefully. Realistic budgets with buffers and timelines make surprises easier to handle. These also help you conceptualise what’s coming next. Include a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Break the process into stages. Determine what steps come in what order. You don’t have to do everything at once and naturally there’ll be steps that have to come before others. Communicate clearly with your builder or contractor. Pick a builder you communicate well with and encourage regular updates to help avoid misunderstandings and keep the project on track. Keep your ‘why’ front of mind. Remember why you’re renovating, whether it’s for value, lifestyle or future flexibility. Focusing on the end goal helps you ride out temporary frustrations. Take breaks and step back. Go and do something fun every once in a while! Renovations can become all-consuming and it’s easy to lose perspective. Adding value Here are our top five value-add renovation ideas: Kitchens: Upgrading benchtops, cabinets, appliances and lighting gives the biggest bang for your buck and modernises the heart of the home. Bathrooms: Even small improvements like new taps, showers, vanities or tiles can significantly increase appeal and value. Fresh paint: Neutral colours throughout the home brighten the space and make it feel well maintained. Flooring: New carpets in bedrooms or modern timber/laminate floors in living areas lift the overall look and feel. Curb appeal and outdoor spaces: Tidy gardens, lawns and pathways, or adding a deck/patio, create a strong first impression and improve lifestyle appeal. Edited extract from ‘The quick-start guide to your first property’ by Glen James and Rachelle Kroon

Family

The Career Conversation Parents Are Struggling to Have

Parents have always worried about their children’s futures. But as technology rapidly changes the way we live and work, knowing what advice to give has become increasingly complicated. New Australian research commissioned by educator and careers mentor Dr Jo Winchester found one in three parents considers knowing how to guide their child towards the right career path their biggest parenting challenge. And perhaps that’s understandable. The traditional advice many parents grew up with – get a degree, find a stable job and follow a clear career path – doesn’t necessarily fit the working world their children are entering. A single mother of three and educator of more than 25 years, Dr Jo understands the uncertainty. “I know the silent panic that can sit behind these conversations,” she says. “You want to give your children the right advice, protect them from making the wrong choices and help them build a secure future, but they’re growing up in a world that looks completely different from the one we entered.” Why career conversations feel so difficult It’s not just parents feeling the pressure. The research found more than one in four young people considered asking their parents for career advice particularly daunting. Dr Jo believes these conversations have become emotionally loaded because they’re about much more than simply choosing a job. Young people are questioning whether they’ll be financially secure, find meaningful work and whether the adults advising them truly understand the world they’re stepping into. Parents, meanwhile, can worry that outdated advice may do more harm than good. But uncertainty shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of ambition. “They’re simply overwhelmed, and the cost of getting it wrong feels incredibly high,” Dr Jo says. So how can parents help when none of us really knows what the workforce will look like in another decade? Start with curiosity Rather than immediately directing your child towards a particular career, start by listening. Ask what excites them, what worries them, what they believe they’re good at and what they’d like to explore. Young people are more likely to talk openly when they feel heard rather than judged or steered towards a predetermined outcome. Talk about skills, not dream jobs The pressure to choose one ‘perfect’ career can be overwhelming – and it may no longer reflect the reality of modern working life. Instead, help your child recognise the skills they enjoy using and the environments in which they thrive. Part-time jobs, volunteering, work experience, hobbies and personal interests can all provide valuable clues about what they enjoy – and what they don’t – before making bigger decisions about study or work. Remind them they don’t need all the answers Perhaps one of the most valuable things parents can do is take some of the pressure off. Careers are rarely linear. People change jobs, industries and directions throughout their working lives. The path someone chooses at 18 doesn’t have to be the one they follow at 28 or 48. Rather than expecting young people to map out their entire future, encourage them to focus on the next useful step. Ultimately, parents don’t need to predict the jobs of the future. What young people may need most is someone who can help them develop confidence, self-awareness and the ability to adapt – while reminding them that changing their mind along the way is perfectly okay.

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Latest articles and stories

A Guide to Different Dermalogica Cleansers and Their Uses

Feeling Off? It Might Be More Connected Than You Think

Beat the Sunday Scaries: 7 Things to Try Before Monday

Is Your Home Stressing You Out?

First time renovating? The rules that can save you thousands

The Career Conversation Parents Are Struggling to Have

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