Mike Hanley

About Mike Hanley

Posts by Mike Hanley:

Changes to Moisturiser Labels and Ingredients:

0 Comments

Due to changing requirements of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – ACCC we have had to start listing ingredients with their ICNI name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). We have not done this in the past.

One change this has brought about is listing the preservative Optiphen (not by its name but by its ingredients) which are Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin. These preservatives are very mild, paraben and formaldehyde free. It is effective against bacteria, mould, yeast and mould fungi. It is used at less than 1%.

Likewise emulsifying wax is now listed as Cetearyl Alcohol & PEG-20 Stearate.  This is a natural emulsifier made from wheat straw. Emulsifying wax is needed to blend water and oil together, as it breaks down the oil bonds. Emulsifying wax isn’t what you’d think of when you talk about natural ingredients because it requires processing before it becomes the final product, but the one we use is ‘vegan’ because it is plant derived and the most natural on the market.  It is used at less than 10%.

Night Cream:

We have reformulated this cream to include actives as we were getting customers requesting ingredients like Retinol.  This cream now includes multi-vitamins (ABCDE ) (ICNI names: Phospholipids & Retinol & Panthenol & Niacinamide & Tocopheryl Acetate & Ascorbyl Palmitate). These vitamins are effective for anti-ageing, pigment reduction, increase skin suppleness.  Vit A (Retinol is reactive to the sun so we advise using the cream at night or under sunscreen).

We do offer alternatives to moisturisers which are our facial oils Camellia, Jojoba, Evening Primrose, Almond, Macadamia, Avocado, Hemp, Rosehip as well as our Rose Serum and Glow oil which are 100% pure oils. Another alternative is our shea and coconut butter.

Ultimate Teenage Skincare Routine: Unveiling the Best Products for Radiant Skin

Ultimate Teenage Skincare Routine: Unveiling the Best Products for Radiant Skin

0 Comments

Navigating the world of skincare can be overwhelming, especially for teenagers who are dealing with ever-changing hormones and their impact on the skin. To help you achieve a fresh, glowing complexion, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to teenage skincare using our handpicked products. But before we dive into the details, here’s a crucial tip: “Tie hair back off your face too. Hair can be oily and if it’s touching the face all the time, this can cause pimples and blemishes.” Now, let’s delve into the transformative power of our specially curated routine!

The Power of Gentle Cleansing: Teenage skin tends to be oilier and more prone to clogged pores. The foundation of any effective skincare routine is proper cleansing. Our Exfoliating Face Wash is a game-changer. With a blend of natural ingredients like clay, coconut soap, olive oil, pumice, and lavender essential oil, this face wash is designed to gently remove excess oils, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural balance. Clay’s positive charge attracts and locks onto dirt, while coconut soap kills germs and offers a slight lathering effect for thorough cleansing.

Step-by-Step Daily Routine:

  1. FULLERS EARTH FACE WASH WITH EXFOLIATING PUMICE: Begin by dampening your face, then apply a small amount of the Exfoliating Face Wash. Gently massage it onto your skin, paying attention to areas prone to congestion. Rinse off with water or wipe away with a soft cloth, leaving your skin refreshed and clean.
  2. ROSE FACIAL SPRITZ: After cleansing, it’s time to hydrate and soothe your skin. Spritz your face with our Rose Facial Spritz, featuring pure rose absolutes. This step not only refreshes your skin but also helps to reduce redness and inflammation. Simply close your eyes and mist it gently over your face.
  3. CITRUS & HEMP MOISTURISER: Even though your skin produces its fair share of oils, don’t skip moisturizing. Our Citrus & Hemp Moisturiser is light and non-greasy, offering the perfect balance of nourishment and hydration. Apply a small amount to your skin, focusing on areas that may feel drier. The unique blend of ingredients, including hemp oil, vitamin E, and healing botanicals, ensures your skin stays healthy and radiant.

Fortnightly Ritual for Rejuvenation: Introduce a little luxury into your routine with a fortnightly treat – our Fuller’s Earth Mud Mask. This mask is your secret weapon against pore congestion and oiliness.

GENTLE FULLERS EARTH MUD MASK: Apply about a tablespoon of  Fuller’s Earth Mud Mask onto your face, avoiding the delicate eye area. Allow the mask to dry for approximately 20 minutes – the perfect opportunity for relaxation. As the mask dries, it draws out impurities and excess oils. Once dry, rinse it off using a soft cloth and clean running water. Pat your face dry and follow up with a spritz of the Rose Facial Spritz and a light application of our Citrus & Hemp Moisturiser.

Achieving clear, radiant skin during your teenage years is possible with the right products and routine. Embrace the power of gentle cleansing, hydrating spritzes, and targeted moisturisation with our handpicked selection of products. Consistency is key, and by incorporating our skincare regimen into your daily life, you’ll be well on your way to skin that’s the envy of all your friends. Remember, healthy skin is a reflection of your overall well-being – so indulge in this self-care routine and embrace the beauty of your youth!

 

There is no Planet B!

There is no Planet B!

0 Comments

At Corrynne’s we are constantly looking at ways we can reduce our global footprint and come up with manufacturing processes and packaging methods to become more sustainable.

Small business is often the first to react to customer’s demands to make changes that bigger companies just simply don’t do or are never asked.  I look at products in our big supermarkets and get annoyed to see more and more products taken out of glass and moved into plastic.

We are doing the opposite. Wherever possible we have reverted to glass containers with the exception of our body washes which remain in recycled plastic bottles for safe use in showers.  These bottles can be refilled in store and empties (after being washed) can be dropped in our own recycling bin for re-use.

We reuse all packaging that comes onto our premises.  Be it boxes or stuffing we re-use this when fulfilling our online orders. A little note explaining that it may be plastic packaging but it is recycled and not put in the bin after only one use is attached to every order.

All excess or waste is recovered where possible including that from the vats after soap making. For example this forms the base of our Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner and all off cuts from soap trimming are packaged and sold as such or shredded and reconstituted into round soaps.

We have also reduced our carbon footprint since installing solar where we have cut grid energy consumption by 70%.

So as you can see at Corrynne’s we are doing our bit towards a cleaner and more sustainable future and hope that leading by example, others will follow including the big chains or supermarkets.

There is no Planet B!

Acne

0 Comments

Acne is common with teenagers because when puberty starts the body over produces sebum which can clog pores.  Bacteria can grow and get trapped inside the pores.  Once bacteria gets in its often difficult to clear up.  Best to avoid touching with unclean fingers, resist picking as this will leave scars.  Wash face morning and night. Our Face Wash is a gentle, daily cleanser with simple, natural ingredients like clay, lavender oil and saponified coconut oil.  Follow this with a moisturiser like our ‘Citrus and Hemp’ made with citrus oils, use this sparingly as you don’t need a lot of oil on your skin as your body is already making a lot of sebum.  Another alternative is our facial spritz – either rose or lavender – both have small amounts of essential oils and freshen the skin, settle inflammation and help promote new skin cells.

A fortnightly mud mask will help too.  Use our Bentonite Mud Mask which absorbs excess oils, is mildly exfoliating.  Clay has a negative charge which binds to positively charged impurities like toxins and bacteria and pulls them from your pores.  Clay is also packed with nutrients and minerals like silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and iron which help with collagen production.

Obviously eat fresh foods, drink plenty of water (no fruit juices they are highly concentrated with sugar even though its natural).  Wash hair regularly and keep off your face.  Stop obsessing about your acne, stop thinking about it, looking in the mirror and talking about it.  Reduce your stress levels because it causes a rise in cortisol which stimulated the sebaceous glands to over produce sebum. (how amazing is that!)

Some acne is so severe and has reach the lower dermis that only a course of anti-biotics prescribed by a doctor come overcome them.  Gut health is very important to restore.  Take a pro-biotic, avoid dairy products and eat fresh food and water.

The Benefits of using Cold Processed Soap

0 Comments

Soap was reportedly discovered centuries ago when the fat from cooking dripped into fire ash and the chemical reaction that took place created soap.  Soap has been made this way ever since using animal fat and caustic soda or caustic potash dissolved in water.

Corrynne’s natural soap is made to this age old recipe, however animal fat has been replaced with plant oils.  This type of natural soap is called cold processed soap.  The process of saponification (soap making) occurs when fatty acids are acted upon by lye which is also called caustic soda or sodium hydroxide mixed with water.  Once the soap has saponified and been left to cure and harden no caustic will remain. This process ensures that the soap retains all the moisture from the plant oils which is called glycerine making the soap softer and moisturising to the skin.  It has a pH of 7.5 which means it’s not too acidic or too alkaline.  Dove soap has a pH of 7.5 and they market this as ‘not a soap’ but a moisturising bar.

Commercially made soap by contrast is made using cheaper ingredients such as synthetic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate.  This ingredient which is a known carcinogen is used to make the soap lathery, forming big bubbles.  The down side to surfactants is that they strip the skin of oils leaving it dry and exposed to the elements.  The pH of the skin is changed temporarily allowing infections and rashes such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis to take hold.

Corrynne’s natural soaps are also made with essential oils which all have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and healing properties.

The skin is our largest organ so it pays to look after it.

“Ive started using Natural Deodorant” and I’m getting a rash”

“Ive started using Natural Deodorant” and I’m getting a rash”

0 Comments

Occasionally people ask about a rash after commencement of using our natural deodorant. There will be a period of adjustment when switching from antiperspirants to a natural deodorant.  Some people will say that you are detoxing as the glands are opening up and allowed to sweat.  Long term use of antiperspirants changes the types and number of bacteria that live in the armpit so it takes time for the body to re-adjust when using a natural deodorant as the microbiome in the armpit region changes.

Human sweat is slightly acidic with a pH range of 4 to 6. The pH of perspiration varies from person to person and is affected by age, gender, race, medication, diet, or even hormonal changes. The natural pH of an individual’s sweat can actually cause an irritation or even a burning sensation when mixed with baking soda.

Why? Baking soda is slightly alkaline with a pH range of 8 to 9. If your sweat is more on the acidic side, there may actually be a little chemical reaction between the alkaline baking soda and the acidic sweat. Think of the “volcanoes” you made in science class with alkaline baking soda and acidic vinegar. If your sweat is more acidic, this little volcano can cause an irritation called “Irritant Contact Dermatitis.”

Apply the deodorant sparingly and gently while your body is making these adjustments.  If the rash persists for more than a few weeks discontinue use.

For a really thorough explanation read this article:

https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/blog/posts/causes-of-armpit-rash-transitioning-to-natural-deodorant-part-1/