Origins: Christmas Set & Modern Friction, Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion [Gift Review]

Last year, among all the lovely X'mas gifts I received from various beauty brands, I got this Origins Christmas set that consist of Natette Lepore Cosmetic Bag for Origins and 3 piece Travel-sized products.

Clockwise from top: Make A Difference Plus Moisturizer, Drink Up Intensive Mask & Checks and Balances Cleanser;
Natette Lepore Cosmetic Bag in the background

I am pretty sure Origins is no stranger to all of us, the brand has been around way before I even started using skincare products. They have pride themselves with using natural and certified organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils, without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, perolatum, paraffin, DEA, and animal ingredients. And they have even been manufacturing using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices.

So, being a lover of all natural/organic products, I have given the products a test and here's my following review on the travel-sized products I have from this set plus a scrub that I got from another event.

Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

When it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two. This gentle, frothy face wash carefully does both jobs without canceling each other out. Broad Leaf Kelp Extract discourages excess oil production, while Wheat Protein balances and protects dry prone zones. And Tourmaline actually makes water wetter to more easily disperse dirt and sebum down the drain. There's also aromatic Bergamot, Spearmint and Lavender to add pleasure to the process. Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched.

To Use:

Squeeze small amount into palm, add tepid water to lather.

Swirl over skin, steering clear of eyes.

Rinse thoroughly.

Great for A.M. and P.M. cleansing.

Best for all skin types

VERDICT

Texture: Thick cream that forms into a rich lather with water

Smell: Smells like toothpaste

Ingredients:
Water, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Potassium Myristate, Glycerin, Potassium Behenate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Palmitate, Potassium Laurate, Potassium Stearate, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Flower Oil, Linalool, PEG-3 Distearate, Tourmaline, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Benefits:
Discourages excess oil production
Balances and protects dry prone zones
Aids in the removal of dirt and sebum
Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched

Product Rating: 5/10
Overall, with a quick check, this product does pass the mark in regards to the ingredients used. If you have sensitive skin, do take note before using this product. It comes in a thick creamy form that lathers up beautifully into a frothy wash that spreads easily across my face. I used it with my 13rushes' Cloud cleansing brush and it does a good work at removing the daily grime and sebum on my face but I don't like the scent of this because it makes me feel like I'm washing my face with toothpaste... which is weird. Haha! And personally, I don't like the after wash feeling. It feels like there is a layer on my skin that makes the skin feel squeaky. However, I have to note that it really doesn't leave the skin feeling tight or dry as claimed. 

As for the claim of discouraging excess oil production, I haven't witness much of a difference and I guess, it depends on what sort of cleanser you were previously using to witness a difference (i.e. wrong type of cleanser that dries your skin up, hence, an excessive oily complexion) or if you have a oily skin type to start with.

Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion

Sand-blasting skin with coarse, chemical crystals? How painfully passé.
Here's age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation. Skin-refining Rice Starch, cushioned in cream, shows real affinity for rapidly removing sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolorations. Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination while Aloe keeps skin calm and comfy. There's no ouch, extra steps or other complications. The before-and-afters are amazing. Skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous. And the perk-me-up aromas of Bergamot and Peppermint help you look on the bright side. 

To Use:

Two to three times a week, scoop onto fingertips and massage over dry, clean skin in circular motions.

For sensitive skin, massage over damp skin.

Add a splash of water and work into a gentle lather.

Rinse well and follow with appropriate tonic.

Best for all skin types

VERDICT

Texture: Cream to milk cleanser consistency and has beads that degrades when moist.

Smell: Bergamot and Peppermint scent

Ingredients:
Water, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamide MEA, Glycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Shiu/Camphor) Oil, Litsea Cubeba Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Citral, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Chloride, Laureth-2, Tetradibutyl Pentaerithrityl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Trisodium HEDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide

Benefits:

Age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation

Helps removes sluggish cells, uneven patches,signs of skin damage and discolorations

Helps reduce signs of fine lines and size of pores

Skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous

Product Rating: 8/10
I'm going to state it right out that I am not a fan of the smell of this product, but I love that the beads are degradable. The scrub beads are made out of rice starch that "melts" away as you polish your skin with this using moist hands. It is more gentle than seeds or sugar grains and more environmentall friendly than the plastic beads that are common in scrubs. I am a little sour-faced that it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, so if you have sensitive skin, do take note.

Overall, my skin does feel smoother after use, but I also note that it does feel a little tight after wash. I also noticed that my skin does appear to be fairer and brighter after use (bye bye dead skin cells) and it does help to minimize the appearance of blackheads on my nose.

Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Mask

Skin depends on water for its youthful functioning. But all day long, skin loses vital moisture. And the busier you are, the more it loses. This intense moisture replacement mask with Avocado and Apricot Kernel Oil deeply and instantly quenches compromised moisture reserves and builds a reservoir for tomorrow. Japanese Seaweed repairs skin's barrier to prevent future dehydration and signs of premature aging.

To Use:
Twice a week or as desired, gently massage onto clean skin at bedtime. 

Tissue off excess.

Best for rehydration and repair.

Best for dry skin types.

VERDICT

Texture: Creamy, sticky at first but as it dries, not so much.

Smell: Apricot scent

Ingredients:
Water, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, Myrtus Communis (Myrtle) Leaf Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dimethicone, PEG-75, PEG-8, Glycereth-26, Sorbitan Stearate, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Amara (Bitter Almond) Kernel Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Shiu/Camphore Leaf) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Osmanthus Fragrans (Osmantus Absolute) Flower Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Seed Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Bran) Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Sucrose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Panthenol, Pantethine, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Sterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryzanol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Potassium Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol

Benefits:

Helps to replenish, smooth and sooth skin

Helps to boost moisture levels of skin 

Repairs skin's barrier to prevent future dehydration and signs of premature aging

Product Rating: 7/10

On application of this mask, it has a slight tingly sensation on my skin and because it is a creamy mask, it is a little sticky. I find it a little troublesome to wipe the excess off with tissue to leave it overnight.

Personally, I don't like anything that feels sticky on my face but does feel less sticky as the mask dries up and as the skin absorb it up. Overall, once the tingly sensation pass, this mask does work well in hydrating the skin but I find that this mask will work great if your skin is towards the dry side as suppose to my combination skin type. Hence, this isn't one of my favourite mask... I prefer clay mask.

Make A Difference™ Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturizer

This rejuvenating moisturizer fortified with Nature's miracle Rose of Jericho plus a breakthrough Lychee and Watermelon hydra-sustain complex quenches deeper than ever before to help repair the natural moisture deficiency in dry, dehydrated skin. Clinically proven to instantly boost skin's moisture reservoir to keep it hydrated and rejuvenated all day.

To Use:

Apply A.M. and P.M. after serum.

Best for rehydration and repair.

Best for combination skin types.

VERDICT

Texture: A very light watery-creamy moisturizer

Smell: Lychee with a hint of watermelon scent

Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Sweet Almond Oil, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Carprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Glycerin, Squalene, Trehalose, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Lactate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, , Cetyl Ethylhexanote, Myristyl Myristate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Orange Oil, Spearmint Leaf Oil, Vetiver Root Oil, Camphor Bark Oil, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Magnolia Acuminata Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Iris Palida Root Extract, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica (Rose of Jericho) Extract, Coffee Seed Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Lentil Fruit Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Kokum Seed Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Shea Butter, Maurita Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Micrococcus Lysate, Lecithin, Caffeine, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, , Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Sodium RNA, Potassium Sorbate, Dextrin, Cetyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

Benefits:

Helps to repair the natural moisture deficiency in dry, dehydrated skin

Clinically proven to instantly boost skin's moisture reservoir to keep it hydrated and rejuvenated all day

Product Rating: 8/10

I like the smell of this and the great thing about this moisturizer is that it doesn't feel sticky! Overall, this moisturizer hydrates the skin pretty well but people with sensitive skin should take note.

The travel sized product of this moisturizer comes in a tube form which works well in preventing contamination, unlike the full sized product that comes in a jar. However, I have noticed that because of its light-watery consistency, it tends to spills out into the cap of the tube. So, do take not to cap it well and always have clean fingers when you are scooping the moisturizer out from the jar!

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On the side note, I love the cosmetic bag that was part of the Christmas set, it is the most useful bag ever! It looks small but because of this wide zipped opening, I can compact lots of stuff into it. The best part of this Nanette Lepore Origins cosmetics bag is that it is made with 100% recycled cotton (Hear the greenie in me rejoice!). I have been using this bag ever since to store my makeup, toiletries or even a change of clothes with a small towel!