Our Story
Founded by Industry Insider Wendy Nowell-Usticke in 2019, Corbin Rd began as a personal mission.
When industry veteran Wendy Nowell-Usticke founded Corbin Rd. in 2019, it was more than just another beauty brand; it was deeply personal. After 30 years in the industry and co-founding New Zealand’s beloved Thin Lizzy, Wendy was mortified to see her intricate skincare routines, filled with high-cost products and countless steps, left her skin not glowing, but stressed and reactive. In fact, she was spending upwards of $15K on products annually, only to find that her skin became so inflamed that even olive oil felt like an irritant.
A Broken System
Wendy’s frustration with beauty industry only grew from years of witnessing its relentless push for “the latest thing”—an endless cycle of trending products that confused consumers and encouraged layering multiple actives without understanding the long-term impact. While active ingredients play a valuable role in skin health, their concentration and combined effects are often overlooked, leading to unnecessary irritation—especially among women and their teenagers chasing quick fixes.
Drawing A Line
What became non-negotiable for Wendy was the presence of the “dirty five” ingredients commonly used in mainstream skincare. Discovering these prompted a deep dive into the science of safe, effective formulations. That research laid the foundation for a simplified, clean-beauty approach, one that supports the skin without compromising its integrity or the planet.
From Frustration to Simplicity and Real Results
The impact has been transformative. Clients have reported remarkable improvements, with stubborn inflammatory skin conditions seeing reduction overnight! Wendy’s expertise, honed over decades, is now applied to guide you to radiant, healthy skin without the confusion.
Corbin Rd takes the confusion out of choosing safe, effective skincare
At Corbin Rd., we believe you shouldn’t have to struggle to find effective skincare—you should just enjoy beautiful, vibrant skin with ease.
“Minimal should be the norm, not the exception.”
How will we do do it?
MINIMAL PRODUCTS
Our expertly crafted formulas go beyond single-use solutions, each product is designed to deliver multiple benefits at the optimal strength of active ingredients. This ensures your skin is supported, not stripped or stressed.
No more guesswork—just results. With multifunctional skincare, your routine becomes effortless, your cabinet stays clutter-free, and you save money by eliminating the need for endless products.
This is skincare that works smarter, not harder.
EFFECTIVE FORMULAS
Every active ingredient we use is selected based on science-backed research and rigorous testing. But we don’t stop there—we conduct real-world trials on real skin, capturing untouched photographic proof of the results. No gimmicks, just evidence.
Our formulations are designed to support long-term skin health—keeping it calm, soothed, hydrated, and resilient. Because great skincare isn’t just about short-term fixes—it’s about building strong, healthy skin for life
CLEAN BEAUTY
We prioritise naturally derived and organic, ingredients. We carefully select locally sourced botanicals/actives whenever possible to support sustainability and community growers. Our formulations are free from unnecessary additives—no parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), phthalates, synthetic fragrances, or harsh preservatives—just high-quality ingredients that nourish your skin.
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond skincare. We use minimal, thoughtfully designed packaging—reducing waste, limiting plastic, and opting for recyclable materials like glass and aluminum whenever possible.
