I grew up in the United States, but my understanding of wellness changed completely during five transformative years in New Zealand. Surrounded by pristine landscapes and a culture grounded in balance, kindness, and environmental stewardship, I began to rethink what health really means.
Living among New Zealanders taught me to see wellness as something to nurture, not fix. I shifted away from a highly processed diet and felt profound improvements in my overall health. Even my skin changed. Curious, I started paying attention to how locals cared for theirs.
Because New Zealand is geographically isolated, people traditionally relied on natural resources—pressing oils from native plants and applying them directly to the skin. This surprised me. I had oily skin and had always been told to avoid oils, yet New Zealanders had radiant complexions. I decided to try a simple balm made from oils and wax. Overnight, my skin looked better. That small experiment sparked a deeper question: How does skin actually work?
I began reading labels and researching the products I had brought from the U.S. Many were mostly water, padded with thickeners, fragrances, and harsh cleansers that stripped the skin’s natural protection. The ingredients that truly benefit the skin were minimal. As a problem‑solver, I wondered if I could do better.
I studied cosmetic formulation through the Institute of Personal Care Science and the Tisserand Institute, then began creating my own products and refining them with the help of friends and testers. When I returned to the U.S. in 2020 to marry my botanist husband, I brought a suitcase full of natural ingredients and my favorite formulations.
That same year, I founded Corum Personal Care—named after my family line—to create healthy, effective, easy‑to‑use products for people seeking real results. For several years, I sold these products to a growing community who shared my passion for simple, nature‑based skincare.
In 2026, I shifted my focus from selling products to teaching others how to make their own. Empowering people with knowledge, confidence, and tested recipes felt like the natural next step in my journey. Today, instead of jars and tins, I share the methods behind them—helping others create safe, effective skincare at home.
Nita Peterson
Founder, CORUM Personal Care
