Alive Pharmacy Warehouse - Live+ March 2026

live +

Your guide to staying healthy, happy, alive

BOLD BEAUTY

COSMETICS AND CONFIDENCE

Makeup that feels good on your skin

SKINCARE AFTER MAKEUP

Simple habit to support clearer skin

WORKOUTS AND ACNE

How movement can support skin health

WELCOME MARCH

In this month’s Live+ Catalogue we welcome a practical approach to cosmetic choices and makeup skincare routines. March is a great time to reassess makeup, skincare, and beauty routines. Early in the year, small consistent steps can help make a meaningful difference. Making informed decisions helps prevent irritation, supports healing, and improves long-term results.

Acne-prone skin requires special attention at any age, but the fundamentals remain the same. Protect the skin barrier, choose products carefully, and avoid overloading the skin with multiple active ingredients at once. Most of the time makeup is not the main cause of acne — incorrect product selection and poor removal habits are. Look for non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas and remove makeup thoroughly every night.

It’s also important to understand active ingredients before using them. Retinoids and salicylic acid can support acne management. AHAs and vitamin C can assist with texture and pigmentation. Introduce one active at a time and monitor for irritation.

For teenagers: keep routines simple. Avoid harsh scrubs and excessive exfoliation, which often worsen breakouts. Gentle cleansing, light moisturising, and consistent treatment use are more effective than constantly changing products. Consistency will almost always deliver better results than complexity.

Our Prescribing Pharmacists can offer a personalised consultation to assess your skin type, products, and any medications, allowing us to tailor recommendations to your specific needs. Talk to one of our friendly staff in-store about booking an appointment today.

On another note, we recently celebrated 50 years of the Australian College of Pharmacy, where myself, Trent Twomey, and Demi Pressley joined a selected group of college fellows, leaders, CEO’s and Board Presidents to recognise everyone’s contributions to the College. A historic moment for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Here’s to a March focused on effective skincare, informed decisions, and a happy healthy lifestyle.

Managing Director

bold beautyCOSMETICS AND CONFIDENCE

When people talk about bold beauty, they often think it means dramatic makeup or bright colours. In reality, bold beauty is about confidence, feeling comfortable trying something new and choosing products that work with your skin.

In pharmacy, we hear all kinds of beauty questions: “Will this break me out?” “Is this okay for sensitive skin?” “I want makeup, but I don’t want it to feel heavy.” Cosmetics aren’t just about looking good. They’re about understanding your skin and making informed choices. That’s where our staff can help guide you through the makeup section.

Bold beauty can be as simple as a mascara that makes you feel more awake, or a lipstick that lifts your mood on a tough day. Brands like Rimmel have been around long enough that many people remember their first makeup purchase. Reliable and easy to use. MCoBeauty has become popular for offering trendy dupe products that make experimenting feel less intimidating, especially if you’re just starting to explore makeup. For those who prefer a more skin-focused approach, Nude by Nature offers mineral-based options that still deliver pigment and polish.

We encourage you to check ingredients, patch test when needed, and choose products suited to your skin type. These small steps can make all the difference. If you have dry skin, look for hydrating ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. Words like “cream”, “liquid” or “oils” can be helpful indicators. For oily skin, look for oil-free or water-based formulas. Ingredients like niacinamide can help regulate oil, and terms such as “gels” or “pressed powders” may suit better.

Bold beauty doesn’t mean following rules or trends. It’s about finding your own kind of confidence and wearing what makes you feel good. And if you’re ever unsure, that’s what we’re here for. A quick chat, honest advice, and support that goes beyond the label.

Try: MCoBeauty, Nude by Nature and Rimmel ranges

WHY SKINCARE AFTER MAKEUP MATTERS

KEEP ACNE UNDER CONTROL

If you wear makeup, even just a little, your evening skincare routine is important. Think of makeup as a layer sitting on top of your skin, and your skincare routine as the clean-up crew that helps keep your skin healthy. When makeup sits on the skin overnight, it can trap dirt, oil and bacteria in pores, which may lead to congestion and breakouts, especially if you are acne prone. That’s why removing makeup and cleansing at the end of the day matters.

Step 1: Remove makeup gently

Whether you are wearing a full face or just tinted sunscreen, start with something like micellar water or a gentle makeup remover. This helps dissolve pigment and grime without harsh scrubbing and keeps irritation to a minimum.

Step 2: Cleanse

A good cleanser helps wash away leftover makeup, oil and environmental dirt. For acne-prone skin, look for formulas with acnefriendly ingredients such as salicylic acid, which can help keep pores clear without stripping the skin. For acne-prone skin, we often recommend Dermal Therapy Acne Control Wash or La Roche-Posay Effaclar.

Hot tip: Rub your cleanser onto your face for 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the ingredients enough time to dissolve dirt, makeup and oils.

Step 3: Moisturise

Don’t skip this step, even if your skin is oily or acne prone. Hydration matters. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser helps regulate oil production and may prevent rebound oiliness that can contribute to breakouts. We often recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturiser.

Extra step: If you have a pimple

Avoid picking, squeezing or scrubbing, as this can cause inflammation and slow healing. Instead, use a targeted spot treatment or cover the area with a pimple patch to help reduce bacteria and redness while the skin heals. We sometimes recommend Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne or Benzac Power Pimple Patches.

Your skin does much of its repair work while you sleep, so cleansing and caring for it after wearing makeup helps support overnight recovery. Think of makeup removal as part of your self-care routine, a simple way to reset at the end of the day.

Product recomendations

WORKOUTS TO HELP REDUCE ACNE

How a healthy lifestyle promotes healthy skin

When people think about acne, they usually focus on skincare products. From a pharmacy point of view, we also consider lifestyle factors. Exercise can play a role in skin health, particularly through its impact on stress, hormones and oil production. Stress is a common trigger for acne, as it can influence hormone levels and increase oil production.

That’s where yoga and Pilates can be helpful. These low-impact workouts focus on calming the nervous system and may help reduce cortisol levels, which can be especially relevant for hormonal acne. Certain poses such as child’s pose, legs-up-the-wall, cat-cow, bridge pose and downward-facing dog encourage relaxation, grounding and the release of physical tension.

Moderate cardio, such as running, swimming or cycling, is another option. These activities improve circulation and encourage sweating, which helps clear surface debris from the skin when followed by proper cleansing. Improved blood flow supports oxygen delivery to skin cells, which can contribute to overall skin health. Swimming can

feel particularly refreshing, provided the skin is cleansed afterwards to remove chlorine and sweat.

Strength training, including weightlifting or resistance band exercises, can support insulin sensitivity. This matters because insulin fluctuations can be linked to breakouts. Strength training also supports muscle tone and skin firmness, contributing to overall skin health over time.

Outdoor activities are another option to consider. Exercising outdoors has been shown to reduce stress hormones more effectively than indoor workouts for some people. Even a regular walk outside can help support mental wellbeing, which in turn can influence skin health.

The key takeaway is that extreme workouts are not necessary. Consistent, enjoyable movement that supports stress management and circulation can complement a good skincare routine. Always follow exercise with gentle cleansing to remove sweat and help keep pores clear.

Did you know?

WEARING BREATHABLE, MOISTURE-WICKING FABRICS DURING EXERCISE CAN HELP REDUCE SKIN IRRITATION.