The Latest from Corbin Rd.

Like it or not, our ‘new normal’ includes wearing either disposable or cloth face masks whenever we travel, shop or mingle with others. And for some, that’s meant putting up with outbreaks – dubbed ‘maskne’ (acne that occurs on and around the area cloaked by a mask). Unfortunately, maskne is fairly common – and there are reasons as to why spots and redness tend to thrive when masking up.  Luckily, there are some easy ways to help protect your skin from breaking out – and choosing the right sort of mask is number one. We’ve found these MKM 36.6 Coolmax simple cotton masks, sewn in the Manawatu by a wonderful local fabric mill, work a treat – they’re double layered in a range of wearable shades, comfy on the ears and have a pouch for inserting a Helix wool filter (boosting your protection to three layers!) So, why does your skin react badly to wearing a mask? And why doesn’t the rest of your body behave this way when you’re wearing jeans or t-shirts? Well, your face contains more oily glands than any other part of your body. And the function of those glands - called the sebaceous glands – is to protect your skin from moisture loss. When we cover our face in a mask, it’s a bit like popping clingfilm over a bowl of salad. You’re protected from exposure to the elements but moisture is trapped under the fabric and sits right up against your skin. You know how the underside of your clingfilm develops beads of moisture? That’s happening on your face, clogging the sebum, causing bacteria to develop, and – for many of us – acne. There are a number of ways to help our skin withstand mask use – here are my top tips: 1. Choose a breathable fabric mask It sounds counter-intuitive to choose a mask that breathes, but a natural fibre mask, such as cotton or merino, with at least two layers of cloth offers protection AND allows your skin to breathe. 2. Wash after each use As tempting as it is to stuff your mask back in your pocket and pull it out the next day, do wash your masks in hot water and grab a fresh one each morning. You don’t want to be transferring yesterday’s bacteria build-up onto today’s clean skin! 3. Go fragrance-free An unperfumed washing detergent will lessen opportunities for your skin to react badly 4. Use Corbin Rd Restorative Face Oil daily A few drops of our multifunctional face oil pressed gently onto the skin before heading out helps create a barrier that bacteria will have a harder time getting through. It also relieves friction. 5. Go au naturel  Aside from your mask, and a dab of oil, try and leave it at that. Avoid wearing heavy make-up as the ingredients can inflame the skin and contribute to maskne. 6. Take it off Make sure you remove your mask and let the skin breathe at regular intervals throughout the day.  Nobody likes it much, but masks do look set to stay for a bit. Being kind to our skin, using natural and organic ingredients wherever possible, gives us all the best protection against maskne.  Here’s to your beautiful skin!

Tis the season to be puffy, and while we all love spring and the warmth in the air, many of us also suffer from itchiness, puffiness and irritation at this time of year. Then there are others of us who ‘just woke up like this’ – and need a little help to de-puff in time to face the day. Here are my five tried and true strategies to relieve puffiness, quickly. 1. Dehydration Did you know dehydration could be the root cause of your puffiness? Starting your day with a large glass of warm lemon water gets the digestion system moving and the blood circulating. Substitute lemon for a dash of apple cider vinegar to assist with healthy gut function and you’ve killed two birds with one stone! 2. Get Moving Get moving – and I don’t mean leaping into gym gear! If you move the skin on your face, you’ll help your lymphatic system drain any puffiness away. Invest in one of our gua sha or our popular Sculpta 6000, both of which quickly and cleverly move excess fluid sitting under the skin to your lymph drainage points. Remember, always angle your gua sha or Sculpta so that you’re working up the face – we don’t want to drag anything downwards. Gravity ‘s already doing that job. 3. Face Oil Use a face oil to infuse your skin with nutrients. Our Corbin Rd Restorative Face Oil with Bakuchiol soothes and strengthens skin, delivering a powerful punch of antioxidants that help combat puffiness. Apply twice daily and pat gently into the face. 4. Cucumber The movies love this one! For morning puffy eyes  - often a problem when suffering from spring allergies – two slices of chilled cucumber can really do wonders. Follow up with some gentle gua sha around the eye area and you’ll look fresh as a daisy. And another top tip – keep your gua sha in the fridge so it cools, calms and smooths even more effectively! 5. Change your Pillowcase regularly Pollen and bacteria can settle into the weave of the fabric making puffiness your bedfellow! One of the questions we’re often asked is whether a gua sha or the Sculpta 6000 (which is battery driven) is best. They each do an amazing job of de-puffing, so it’s really a personal choice! Our gua sha requires a little more concentration and technique as you get the hang of it, but is really effective and you can easily change the pressure you apply with your hand. Our Sculpta 6000 is a great all-rounder, gentle and light on the skin’s surface, and a little easier to use around the eyes. Or try both! They’re great playmates. Heres to your beautiful skin!

But first, what is the difference? The skin on our body is constantly battling external aggressors, UVA/UVB damage, weather temperature fluctuations, heating, cooling,  body wash detergents, soaps and exfoliators, cold and hot water– thus it is always in need of hydration. Body oil delivers high-intensity moisture back to the skin almost instantly, whereas body lotion is water-based and seals in moisture but is more ideal for targeting drier skin concerns.   Benefits of Body Oil  Dermatologists support the use of oils to help balance the skin’s natural sebum production, repair and regulate the skin’s natural barrier and deeply moisturize for glowing results. They key word here is balance. Oils also tend to be purer in terms of ingredients as being water-less it won't support bacteria . So for those of you who are in love with the clean, go this route.  Benefits of a Body Lotion This classic soothes dry skin and helps to keep skin hydrated! Lotions have incredible moisturizing abilities because the base of the formula is a mixture of oils and water, allowing for better skin penetration and retention of hydration.  Please note,  gel-based formulas or products with alcohol are not lotions or hydrate How to Use Body Oil Timing is everything when incorporating oils into your body-care routine! To lock in moisture for maximum hydration results, apply to skin when it is still slightly damp. You guessed it, that means post-shower! For an added boost to parched skin, you can layer lotion over body oil. The Verdict  It really comes down to personal preference and timing. Regardless of your choice, make sure to choose formulas with ingredients that can work beautifully together to maximize hydration results for your best skin yet. 

Exfoliation is one of the biggest game changers in your beauty routine that often goes discredited. Our skin naturally renews itself every 28 days, bringing new healthy glowing skin cells to the surface. As we age, this process tends to slow down, and dead skin cells pile up, resulting in a dull, rough, and dry looking complexion. Exfoliating is an essential step to removing those dead skin cells to reveal great skin. Here are 5 benefits that make us reach for our favourite treatment or scrub: 1. Unclogs Pores When you exfoliate, you are effectively unclogging pores by sloughing away dry skin and other debris that might remain on your skin post-cleanse. This helps to fight off stubborn black heads, white heads and prevents blemishes from forming. Dead skin acts as a seal to pores, trapping oil created from sebaceous glands under dry skin without release. Exfoliating stops these skin irritations before they can even appear. One word, prevention! It is important to remember to treat the skin with care! Make sure to gently exfoliate in a non-irritating way.  2. Helps Other Skincare Penetrate Deeper Freeing your pores of dead and dry skin allows other skincare products in your beauty routine to penetrate more deeply and effectively! Dead, dry skin acts as the ultimate barrier between your complexion and your beauty favourites. Serums, treatments, and moisturisers have a better chance of travelling through microchannels of the skin to work their magic and produce the results you are looking for.  3. Evens Skin Tone Those of us who have struggled with hyperpigmentation, texture and dark spots can relate to how frustrating it can be to treat. It often feels like a long road to hopeless and it’s a one-way, non-refundable ticket! And you are not alone. Thankfully, with a little patience and consistency, exfoliants can lend a helping hand. Exfoliating helps to break down dead skin while also smoothing overall texture, making the complexion appear even and smooth. 4. Boots Circulation & Increases Cell Turnover Exfoliation is key to stimulating circulation and boosting skin radiance! Stimulation of lymphatic drainage, think internal cleansing, helps detoxify and remove unhealthy debris. Boosts in circulation help with cellular turnover so that only fresh, healthy cells stay at the surface of your complexion while dead, dry cells are shrugged away. The result? Glowing, radiant, baby-faced skin is revealed – a look we all strive for. 5. Stimulate Collagen Synthesis  Regular exfoliation helps to stimulate collagen synthesis to improve skin’s texture and keeps the complexion looking plump, tight, and youthful. This means that exfoliating offers TONS of anti-aging benefits that often go unrecognised. Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles naturally by incorporating this step into your beauty routine and reap the benefits.

 Gina Urlich – BHSc Clinical Nutritionist  As the weather cools down many of us notice a change in our skin. Winter can be a particularly triggering time for those with sensitive & dry skin, but, know that there are some simple micro habits that will nourish your skin from the inside out, keeping your skin soft & hydrated. Hydration is key and is always the first step that I recommend   Many of us can become habitually dehydrated as we drink less water in cooler months. Drinking water sets your body up to function at its best, which benefits not only your body’s largest organ but so, so much more. When your cells are hydrated, it shows on the outside.   Herbal teas are a beautiful way to hydrate your cells in winter if you’re struggling to get your 8 glasses of water in. The bonus of drinking herbal tea is the infusion of nourishing medicinal herbs into hot water. It is a beautiful ritual & method to keep skin hydrated & healthy.   My favourite teas for the skin are: Nettle, rich in vitamins & minerals, promotes circulation, antifungal & antibacterial. Rooibos, powerful antioxidant, excellent source of alpha hydroxy acid, which is fabulous for skin health. Chamomile, known for its calming effect on the body, chamomile can also be particularly useful for stress-related digestive issues. It is also high in antioxidants combating free radical damage. Dandelion, aids our digestive system by maintaining the proper flow of bile. It is also high in vitamins, minerals & antioxidants.    Your digestive system  Since everything is so incredibly connected, I’m going to take you on a deep dive into the digestive system. The skin is like the external window into the internal digestive system and any kind of topical condition like eczema, psoriasis, acne or dermatitis requires some internal treatment.  Your digestive system is responsible for breaking down your foods, absorbing the nutrients from that food and filtering any waste products or toxins out of your body. Those nutrients are the building blocks of cells, including skin.  So lets look a little deeper into breaking down and absorbing nutrients. The best way to tell that your body is able to absorb nutrients from your food is by your bowel motions.Undigested food in a bowel motion is a clear sign you’re not breaking down food or your transit time is too fast. Floating stools or an oily film on the toilet water tells me there is some fat malabsorption (absorbing fats is very important for dry skin).  Your body must have clear elimination pathways to get rid of waste and toxins: kidneys and urine, skin and sweat, and through bile and the intestines, when these elimination pathways are working optimally our skin looks clear and supple.  A crucial element in having healthy skin is having a healthy balanced gut bacteria. Our gut and the skin are our two interfaces between the internal world and the external world, having a healthy microbiome (balanced gut bacteria) is essential to maintaining healthy skin (1). Your overall gut bacteria is reflected in having a normal, daily bowel movement. If you’re experiencing regular diarrhoea or constipation you can make the assumption that your gut microbiome is off, which can be a contributing factor to skin problems (2).  Probiotics are essentially beneficial bacteria that can exert positive effects on your gut as well as your skin as they are passing through. You can get a diverse range of probiotic strains from foods such as kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, yoghurt & kefir.     If gut health is an issue for you then a consultation with a nutritionist is recommended for probiotic supplementation – The gut is the epicentre for overall wellbeing Now once your gut is working optimally lets get all the good nutrients in to be absorbed & utilised. The intake of omega 3 fatty acids is important to skin health, not only for hydration in the winter months but also for the anti-inflammatory effects. Most of us are deficient in this essential fatty acid since it is very low in our modern diets. The best sources of omega 3 fatty acids are fatty, oily fish like salmon, cod, sardines, seaweed and algae, chia/flax/hemp seeds, walnuts, coconut & avocado.  Key vitamins & minerals Focus on foods rich in Vitamin A, Zinc and Vitamin E as they are all important for skin health. Zinc is critical for the formation of collagen, a protein molecule that forms connective tissue and skin. Foods rich in Zinc are meat, shellfish, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans), seeds (pumpkin, hemp), nuts, eggs, dairy, whole grains (spelt, rice, oats). Vitamin E helps to combat oxidative stress and keeps the skin youthful. Foods rich in this fat-soluble nutrient are sunflower seeds, almonds, avocados, other nuts (like hazelnut, pinenut), spinach and other greens.  Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that plays an essential role in body growth, immune health, vision, reproductive and skin health. Good sources of vitamin A are animal liver, cod liver oil, egg, sweet potato, carrot, spinach, broccoli, mango and papaya.  Antioxidants I couldn’t talk about skin health without adding in the importance of antioxidants. The bright colourful pigments in your fresh produce are a vital component of maintaining good skin health and contain many anti-aging properties. Found in berries, leafy greens, dark chocolate – cacao, beetroot, and in super foods like brazil nuts, goji berries and spirulina. Antioxidants promote cell turnover and fight the resulting oxidative stress to aid with our body’s and skin’s natural repair. Changes in gut and liver health, hormone imbalances, dehydration, lack of sleep and inflammation can all show up on the skin as tell tale signs that we need to make a change. Like every season, we need to adapt our diet accordingly. Our winter diet should consist of warm foods with lots of cooked fruits & vegetables to help us feel nourished and grounded. Start the day with a small bowl of oats, rice or quinoa flavoured with stewed fruit, honey or cinnamon. For lunch and supper, choose nourishing foods such as steamed vegetables, slow cooked stews, soup or kicharee. Avoid raw or cold food & drinks this adds pressure to the digestive system. During Winter, nature pauses its usual processes and prepares for a season of rest and restoration to enable new growth and life in the Spring. Stillness and energy harmonized together are the foundations of wellness in nature and also within ourselves. As we go deeper into Winter, nature is inviting us to take time for rest, and it's up to us to accept the invitation. Nourish, Rest & Nurture   With love Gina xx      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048199/   https://gut.bmj.com/content/65/1/57

Why exfoliate? Exfoliators play an important role in skincare by helping to buff away pollution, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin's surface, which in return helps to promote healthy cell turnover and glowing complexion. Exfoliators come in two  forms  chemical and physical and are generally designed to help even out textural irregularities, unclog dirt from pores, prevent breakouts and transform dull skin. Physical or Chemical: What Kind of Exfoliator is Best? The contrast between chemical and physical exfoliants is all in the name, so neither are better than the other as long as they are safe, not overused and achieve the goal without damaging the acid mantle of your skin which protects your skins natural protective barrier. Types ofphysical exfoliation Physical exfoliants use something physical, such as granular scrubs, cloths, brushes, sponges and an array of tools and gadgets.  But not all are the same,  some physical exfoliators are known to cause micro-tears that are created by grains, ground up nuts, salts or sugars that are too sharp or jagged, causing little micro tears in the skin. So it's important to ensure if you choose this form of  exfoliator the particle size is fine and designed for the face. There are many great scrubs out there, this is just a word of caution, if it feels like it's scratching don't use it.  Types of chemical exfoliation Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin cells with the use of acids (alpha-hydroxy acids/ AHAs or beta-hydroxy acids/ BHAs) to aid in skin cell turnover and remove dead skin cells by dissolving the "glue" that binds them to other dead skin cells, known as Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid and more. Can I use both, physical and chemical exfoliant? Chemical and physical exfoliants should not be used together ,at the same time or on the same day. You risk stripping your natural barrier and undoing all the good, more about that later.  You can alternate days but, just keep in mind the stronger the exfoliant the less often you need to exfoliate. So what does over-exfoliated skin look like? It will be red and inflamed it feel become sensitized and irritated to other products and often you will see tiny pimples and thick inflamed congested looking skin If this happens, just stop! Stop using soap cleansers and active skincare such as Vit C or A and especially stop any exfoliators. Your skin could take up to a month to recover as that is the full skin cell cycle.  Apply cold presses as often as possible to get the inflammation done, apply fresh aloe vera if possible and use balms or oils to cleanse, and a physical sunscreen. The last word Exfoliating regularly can soften the appearance of fine lines and make it easier for skin-care products that follow to absorb and penetrate deeper into the skin. Without incorporating exfoliators pores can remain clogged, giving the appearance of larger, more open pores and minimises the efficiency of skin care products to follow. More words of caution Exfoliating regularly can soften the appearance of fine lines and make it easier for skin-care products that follow to absorb and penetrate deeper into the skin. Without incorporating exfoliators pores can remain clogged, giving the appearance of larger, more open pores and minimises the efficiency of skin care products to follow.  More words of caution. A factor to consider when using chemical exfoliators like AHAs is the geographical location, in this instance, the Southern Hemisphere. The depletion of the ozone layer in this region has caused an increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, UVA or UVB, from the sun to reach the Earth's surface. Some of the profound effects of a thinning ozone layer are its adverse impact on skin health such as skin cancers, irritation, sensitivities and premature skin ageing. With the skin already vulnerable to environmental stressors, AHAs can cause further damage to the skins protective barrier function if not properly used before a highly protective sunscreen. Viteve™ Silk Exfoliating Cloth If you use a physical exfoliator like the Viteve™ Silk Exfoliating Cloth by Corbin Rd. in conjunction with the hydrating gentle yet effective Restorative Cleansing Balm you can exfoliate every day without causing any micro-tears or irritation to the skin. We thought it would be "the best exfoliator for clogged pores" as the balm softens the plugs making it easy for the Viteve™ silk tufts to dislodge them. cleansing and exfoliating this gently will A mild way of exfoliating the skin would be to use both physical and chemical together for just as exceptional results and using fewer products that focus on the Slow Beauty Approach whilst being mindful of creating less waste.

 Kristy W. Gilbraith, MBA, BSN, RN From early on, we're taught to take care of our skin, but let's face it, how many of us heeded that advice? Not until the uneven pigmentation,  rough texture, and  whispers of crows feet crop up,  do we look to undo the damage, including slathering ourselves in sunscreen and vitamin A, retinoid, type products. It's no secret that retinol and retinoids help address the signs of aging and sun damage. They're also used to improve skin texture via exfoliant-like properties. However, despite their efficacy, these products have been observed to irritate skin, especially in higher concentrations, resulting in dryness, peeling, redness, and sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, retinoid and retinol products are not advisable for use while pregnant or breastfeeding due to concerns regarding congenital disabilities. So, what's one to do if sensitive skin is a concern or pregnancy is in your future?  The Botanical Slow Beauty Solution If you've not heard of bakuchiol, then you are missing out on the best retinol and retinoid alternative there is, as it literally turns back the clock on skin. Bakuchiol, pronounced "buh- KOO-chee-all" is a plant-derived powerhouse. A compound that naturally occurs in the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) plant indigenous to India and harbours anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blemish reducing and potentially  anti-ageing qualities. The oil's history is rooted in ayurvedic healing, as it has been used for addressing inflammation, ridding blood impurities, weight loss, and skin maladies. However, today it is considered a must- have for youthful, clearer, more beautiful skin. Dr Kiran Kaur Sethi, a Columbia University educated physician based in Delhi, India, asserts bakuchiol has proven beneficial at 1% strength with significantly less irritation [than retinoids]. Benefits of Bakuchiol Multiple clinical studies are touting the benefits of bakuchiol. A notable study published in 2018 by the British Journal of Dermatology demonstrated bakuchiol's effectiveness was comparable to retinol and its ability to improve photoaging. It was also shown to be better tolerated over retinol.    Bakuchiol is often credited as the natural alternative to vitamin A, although it does not have the same chemical structure as retinol it triggers pathways that activate skin cells similar to retinol resulting in stimulating cell turnover, combating dark spots and softening textural irregularities on the skins surface, promoting a smoother, plumper, and more blemish-free appearance. As a photostable ingredient, Bakuchiol does not increase UV and sun sensitivity and offers potent antioxidant qualities so it is safe to apply twice a day, both in the morning and at night to maximize efficacy without causing redness, as it's entirely plant-based.  The verdict A well-defined compound with over 99% purity, Bakuchiol has clinically demonstrated to reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles as efficiently as retinol, with a better skin tolerance. Making it an ideal ingredient for soothing and balancing irritated, blemish-prone and prematurely ageing complexions through collagen and elastin stimulation.  Bakuchiol oil's benefits are hard to ignore: Effects similar to retinol, visibly reducing wrinkle depth and skin roughness. Performs as a broad-spectrum antioxidant, staving off visible signs of aging from environmental stressors. Boosts collagen-deprived skin by visibly stimulating a firmer-looking complexion. Contains antibacterial properties, minimizing acne and occasional breakouts. Noticeably improves overall skin-tone and texture without negative side-effects.  Suitable for all skin types, Our Corbin Rd. Face Oil contains 1% Bakuchiol, works harmoniously with other ingredients without negatively interfering with its characteristics. The Multi-Vitamin Restorative Oil + 1% Bakuchiol blend is chocked full of antioxidants and vitamins E, A, C, B and D, and omegas 6,7 and 9, which boosts skin’s natural moisture retention capacity and promotes skin healing for youthful, brighter, smoother appearing skin,  and most importantly for Australiasian sun exposed skin it helps reduce the presence of UV-induced skin damage such as hyperpigmentation.  Shop Here    

We all have those days when we are frustrated and disheartened with the way our skin is behaving. I’m talking about that flat feeling of annoyance that we’ve been doing all of the right things and it’s just not playing the game.

Slow beauty should be the words on your lips if you’re into clean living and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Given the state of the world post-COVID-19, it is hardly a surprise that slow beauty has gained such popularity. It is a mindful approach to skincare and life in general. Slow beauty is about making considered choices when it comes to your skin, your lifestyle and the planet. We think everyone should get on board.  Slow beauty followers support brands that use sustainable ingredients and improve personal wellness. Obviously, this means such followers must be a bit picky about the brands they choose to buy. This may seem difficult at first, but slow beauty practitioners swear by it. If you're still on the fence yourself, here are 7 reasons that you should choose slow beauty skincare and incorporate slow beauty principles into your own life. 1. Adopt a holistic beauty mentality - try natural skincare Slow beauty is a subset of the holistic beauty movement. Holistic beauty is a way of melding one's beauty routine with every other aspect of living.  What sets slow beauty apart is its specificity. A slow beauty lifestyle clearly emphasises the need to combine three particular facets of one's life:       1.  Physical health and wellness       2.  Mental health and emotional wellness       3.  Environmental sustainability 2. Increase your mindfulness With holistic beauty comes increased mindfulness. Mindfulness is a spiritual belief and psychological practice. It reclaims personal wellbeing by focusing on the moment and devoting oneself to living in it. It takes practice and concerted effort to achieve mindfulness, but every steppingstone along that path forms an important part of its experience.   Slow beauty can be one of those stepping stones. Purchasing products that seek to improve your health and appearance in a slow, sustainable way is markedly more mindful than purchasing products that promise instant results. Rather than getting hung up on the future or some unattainable end goal, slow beauty teaches people to accept themselves as they are and make gradual improvements instead of drastic transformations. 3. Support ethical business practices Some modern business practices can be a real turn off. Despite living in a modern society that is fully aware of the corporate impact on human life and our very planet, some businesses continue to operate in a manner that benefits them at the cost of all others.   Slow beauty bucks that trend entirely.   When you purchase slow beauty products instead of mega-mart brand-name cosmetics, you send an obvious message to businesspeople around the world. Specifically, you're saying that you will spend your money on healthy, sustainable products instead of mass-produced ones that harm our communities and environment.  4. Encourage environmental sustainability A good example of ethical business practices that the slow beauty lifestyle supports is environmental sustainability.  Slow beauty products are produced from sustainable, ethically sourced ingredients. Slow beauty products do not jump onto popular trends just for the sake of making a profit. Because of the connection between slow beauty and holistic beauty, you won't find a slow beauty retailer that supports environmental destruction. Slow beauty doesn't make sacrifices for the benefit of personal health. You can trust that the ingredients in slow beauty products aren't contributing to damage in rural areas or third-world countries. Likewise, slow beauty producers do not test their products on animals. Another reason to sleep easy when choosing slow beauty options. 5. Enable lasting, long-term self-improvement As we said earlier, the main goal of slow beauty is sustainability. This sustainability extends to both the environment at large and our own individual health. For example, consider what we know about building new habits such as including more exercise in our lifestyle, moving towards a plant-based diet or incorporating mindfulness into our life. Much as we would love for there to be an overnight or instant fix for these habits, it just doesn’t work that way. We know that we’re much more likely to continue a new habit if we incorporate it at a gradual, steady pace rather than a crash course or cold turkey approach. Beauty is no different. When you make small but long-lasting improvements to your self-care routines, you're more likely to stick with them and, thus, more likely to see long-term benefits. 6. Remove bodily toxins One of the largest benefits of slow beauty products is the focus on removing bodily toxins.  Lots of cosmetics advertise themselves as cures for congested skin and environmental damage. If they intend to do so by pumping your skin full of synthetic chemicals, though, they're really just exacerbating the problem. Slow beauty products do not. They address dull complexions, wrinkles, blemishes, sun damage, and other common beauty concerns with natural ingredients. In other words, you aren't adding new toxins to your body in the hopes that they will expel the old toxins.  7. Cultivate simplicity  As our own Wendy Nowell-Usticke  attests, “Minimal should be the norm, not the exception.” This is true for cosmetics, healthcare and life in general.   Unlike products with three labels full of ingredient lists, many of which are synthetic and unpronounceable, slow beauty products seek to deliver the best results in the simplest way possible. This means that they only use the ingredients they need and that those ingredients originate solely from ethical, environmentally friendly sources. Simple ingredients and simple processes mean simple solutions. Where to shop for slow beauty skincare Supporting the slow beauty approach is an excellent way to broadcast a message to cosmetics companies worldwide. We want beauty products that improve more than just our appearance. We want products that heal our bodies and protect our planet.  The only question left is where to go about purchasing such products. A great place to start is Corbin Rd.. A New Zealand-owned and operated business, Corbin Rd. uses only the highest quality and most sustainable ingredients possible. We reduce waste via mindful packaging choices and commit to absolutely no animal testing of our products. If you’re new to Corbin Rd., we have a starter set ( of our essential products, in sweet little mini sizes. Our Restorative Cleansing Balm, Viteve™ Silk Exfoliating Cloth and Restorative Face Oil. All you need for healthy, strong and radiant skin!  

Looking for the best quality health and skin care products, then Corbin Rd. is the place for all your needs. Read about our blogs

Amazing Skin for the Holidays? YES PLEASE! By guest writer Kristy W. Gilbraith, MBA, BSN, RN, BC-LMT Okay, let's face it. The Corona Virus and all the other happenings taking place in the world was enough stress to add premature wrinkles to anyone's face. For me, after day 30 of lockdown, the thought of what I was going to do about my skin left me fraught with flashbacks of pubescent acne because my monthly facial routine was interrupted. What?! Don't judge. We all had priorities during what seemingly felt like a "world is ending" moment, and facials and toilet paper were mine. There's nothing like a pandemic to get you rethinking how to implement self-care and beauty at home. The need for quality skincare products on hand and devices to support the efficacy of creams, balms, and oils, or what have you to maintain vibrant and healthy skin, became more apparent each day, and a vibrational therapy facial wand is one of those devices. The Science: If you've never heard of vibrational therapy, you may think it sounds a bit, well, hokey. However, vibrational therapy is not new and is definitely not hokey. For quite some time, whole body vibrational therapy (WBVT) has been used in the medical community to manage various chronic conditions. For example, according to Aminian-Far et al. (2011), WBVT may reduce delayed onset muscle soreness via muscle function improvement. King et al. (2009) observed short-term improvement via whole body vibrational therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease, citing observed improvements in all symptoms, motor control, and functional outcome measures at the time of assessment. Specifically, a significant decrease in rigidity and tremor and a substantial increase in step length and improved speed on the grooved pegboard task. Fascinating, right?! There's also the study review by (Lau et al. (2011) that noted WBVT as being "beneficial for enhancing leg muscle strength among older adults." Even from a focused perspective, vibrational therapy was deemed feasible in improving TMJ (Muir et al., 2014). So, you may be asking, "what does any of that have to with me getting great skin for the holidays?" Well, everything quite frankly loves. Beauty and the Tech: Leave it to technology to bridge the gap between science and beauty, which isn't that much of a leap when you think about it. Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is complex and requires absolute care if it is to look, feel, and perform it's best physiologically. Knowing what we do about vibrational therapy in healthcare, the stage is set for what we can expect from focused therapy, such as the kind observed in a facial vibrational wand. Facial vibration wands demonstrate benefits similar to that of massage. They reduces puffiness, increases circulation, and aid in toxin removal via lymphatic drainage. Additionally, like WBVT observations noted by Lau et al. (2011) and King et al. (2009), vibrational facial wands help tighten muscles in the face, while relaxing facial rigidity. So, no need to get injections in the face to relax wrinkles when a vibrational therapy facial wand will seemingly do the trick. The icing on the cake is the enhanced absorption of facial products, which in my book, makes this gadget a winner! If you're looking to enhance your at-home skin routine, I highly recommend checking out Corbin Rd.'s Scupta 6000 to get your face ready for the holidays and whatever 2021 brings. It also travels really well. So, great skin is anywhere you are. Cheers!Kristy W. Gilbraith, a self-proclaimed life student, is a licensed registered nurse, board-certified massage therapist, Armed Forces veteran, and the founder of Southern Hospitality Brands: UndiesLoft and Southern Hospitality Fragrance Co When unwinding from business, her guilty pleasures are binging on Netflix series', beauty and health writing, and international travel with her husband.   References: Aminian-Far, A., Hadian, M.-R., Olyaei, G., Talebian, S., & Bakhtiary, A. H. (2011). Whole- Body Vibration and the Prevention and Treatment of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness. Journal of Athletic Training, 46(1), 43–49. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-46.1.43 King, L. K., Almeida, Q. J., & Ahonen, H. (2009). Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson's disease. NeuroRehabilitation, 25(4), 297–306. https://doi.org/10.3233/nre-2009-0528 Lau, R. W., Liao, L.-R., Yu, F., Teo, T., Chung, R. C., & Pang, M. Y. (2011). The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 25(11), 975–988. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215511405078 Muir, B., Brown, C., Brown, T., Tatlow, D., & Buhay, J. (2014, December). Immediate changes in temporomandibular joint opening and pain following vibration therapy: a feasibility pilot study. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4262808/.

Gua Sha is the ancient Chinese practice from the Ming Dynasty. It was originally used to treat ailments ranging from joint and muscle pain to heatstroke by scraping the skin using stones or similar type hand tools, along with a cream, serum or oil. Today, Gua Sha is experiencing a renaissance within the beauty industry. Here's how it works.

As Kiwis, we're infinitely proud of our clean green image, but it doesn't take much digging under the surface to uncover a more sobering truth. And when it comes to plastic waste, we're not much chop. New Zealanders each consume around 31kg of plastic waste from packaging adding up to 250,000 tonnes of plastic waste headed to landfill every year.  With inconsistencies in recycling programmes provided by councils, we're not all that flash at recycling either, with less than one-fifth of what we consume getting to recycling centres, and even less than that deemed able to be recycled. This is because when just one container in an entire load is not clean, the whole lot is labelled "contaminated" and heads directly to landfill. Yikes! But there's nothing we Kiwis love more than rallying together and making change swiftly. So this Plastic Free July, at Corbin Rd. we hope to inspire you to make small, incremental daily lifestyle changes that contribute to making a big difference to our shared New Zealand future.    How to go plastic free this July So to help you kickstart your zero waste journey, here are our 5 easy ways for you to start your Plastic Free life this July: 1. Say 'No!" to plastic in the first place BYO shopping bags have paved the way for us all to think differently about our consumer behaviour. The next step is breaking the cycle of buying (or inadvertently buying) plastic in the first place. It starts with saying a polite no plastic straws, coffee cups and sushi containers, and taking your own. A stainless steel straw pops easily into a handbag, reusable coffee cups are readily available to buy, our amazing Travel Flask is perfect for brewing specialty teas is, and there are amazing, durable reusable containers for your lunchtime takeaway salad or sushi. And when you're choosing your beauty products, seek out compostable, biodegradable cardboard packaging, or glass, which can be used again and again, and when it's recycled, becomes an aggregate used to strengthen products like concrete. 2. Reuse before you recycle Recycling is an end of line activity only when packaging has no further use. At Corbin Rd. we have carefully designed our Restorative Cleansing Balm glass jar to be used again and again in multiple ways. The sticker easily peels off and the jars are ideal for storing herbs and spices, seeds, salt, nuts for your desk at work, jewellery, buttons, safety pins, hair ties and much more. The only limit is your imagination! 3. Replace plastics with sustainable options Our households accumulate so many plastic items that we once didn't think twice about purchasing. But now that we're more informed, when these items need replacing, it's the perfect time to seek out environmentally-friendly, durable options. Replace plastic pegs with stainless steel ones, when plastic coat hangers inevitably break, buy wooden ones built to last a lifetime to replace them. Replace plastic laundry baskets and kitchen, bathroom and storage containers with woven ones, and use glass jars instead of plastic containers in your pantry and fridge.  4. Ask retailers to stock the plastic free products you want People are expecting more from their local supermarkets, chemists, fruit and vegetable outlets, grocers, butchers and more. So it won't be unexpected if you'd like your favourite shops to stock your preferred items. Talk to store managers and ask for bamboo toothbrushes, ear buds and dental floss. Or switch where you shop and head to bulk food stores and take your own containers to fill up on everything from grains, rice, pasta and cleaning products. 5. Streamline your beauty regime with multipurpose products If your night time routine involves a myriad of different products, change it up and seek out fewer products that do the same thing. Our multipurpose balm deeply cleanses while drawing out impurities, wiping away stubborn makeup, while restoring hydration. So just this one product replaces four: a cleanser, an eye makeup remover, a face mask and a deep moisturiser. Or buy one product that replaces many. So instead of buying jar after jar of exfoliation products, end the cycle by stocking up on a few of our Viteve™ Silk Exfoliating Cloths and never have to buy an exfoliation product again.   Join us and sign up to the Plastic Free July Challenge here!  

We explore Matariki, the celebration of the Māori New Year - its origins, what it symbolises for Māori and how it is celebrated in the 21st century - plus what's on in your area in 2020.

Our skin is our outermost, protective shield and the winter months can play havoc with it. When the humidity drops with the cooler temperatures, and the heat is turned up inside, zapping the last few drops of moisture from the air, it’s time to switch up our skin care routine to keep skin hydrated, supple and beautiful.

Corbin Rd. produces high-performance skincare products that are sustainable, ethically sourced and of the highest quality. This report breaks down our rationale for using silk, and considers all the current research that informed our choice. 

We teamed up with influencers @DylanCawte and @Olyvyerleru during the month of May to discuss the importance of men's skincare.

We compare the differences between men and women’s skin and ask the question, can men use women’s skincare products?

We've come up with a revolutionary way to exfoliate the skin that does not use granular scrub formulations or chemicals. Our Silk Exfoliating Cloth and Restorative Cleansing Balm, used together, slough away dead skin cells, draw out impurities and stimulate blood flow to the skin's surface, resulting in vibrant and radiant skin.

Environmental pollution can have a damaging effect on our skin. Exhaust fumes, smog, cigarette smoke, dust, debris and even pollen can all introduce destructive free radicals that attach themselves to healthy cells, damaging the skin’s protective barrier, degrading collagen and contributing to premature ageing.