Forest Bathing in the Dandenong Ranges
QLEAN founders Greta and Maire live and produce QLEAN in the majestic Dandenong Ranges and are heavily inspired by their ancient forest surroundings. Characterised by lush rainforests, waterfalls and charming village towns, 'The Dandenongs’ are a popular destination for day-trippers from Melbourne.
Here, locals choose a simple and gentle life and many, like us, are dedicated to natural wellbeing. As Maire says “less is often more and this outlook is reflected in QLEAN’s skin care. The crisp clean mountain air and awe of our natural surrounds inspires us to choose ingredients that are clean and healing to skin and equally kind to nature.”
Stressors from environmental pollution and fast-paced city lifestyles wreak havoc on our health and skin. Studies increasingly show that the forest provides a detoxifying stillness, not only for our minds but also our bodies.1 Based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, ‘forest bathing’ is about taking time to slowly and mindfully wander through our incredible natural surrounds. A chance to unplug from our devices and de-stress by immersing yourself in nature.
The translation of forest bathing for your skin involves using the most healing, nourishing plant extracts that you’d find amongst the trees - eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, lemon myrtle oil — that all work to get your complexion healthier and less stressed..
Greta and Maire also recognise that the damage most skin care reaps on forests worldwide is enormous.They refuse to use palm oil or unsustainable ingredients. Ingredient choices are thoroughly considered not only for the least harm done to people, but also to nature.
All QLEAN products are vegetarian, and many are vegan – however, in certain cases, such as beeswax, for their special properties, it is used. In these cases it is imperative to choose local beekeepers like the Basin Backyard, an ethical keeper of residential small hives in the Dandenong ranges.2
Next time you need to unwind, forget the city and spend time in the magnificence of nature with a gentle stroll through the majestic gums of the Sherbrooke forest or the meandering route of Puffing Billy, we recommend the following places which have become our favourites in the area we love to live in. And, you can click and collect by appointment from our studio in Tecoma at the foothills of the magical Sherbrooke forest.
- The Sherbrooke waterfalls walking trail
- The Alfred Nicholas Gardens and Piggery Cafe
- The quaint village of Sassafras and the delicious and popular Proserpina Bakehouse.
- The Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Silvan
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