Origins: Which Star Products Are Worth Buying? Recommendations!

Most of you are probably familiar with Origins, a brand under Estée Lauder that focuses on natural plant-based ingredients. Its core components are all derived from natural plant extracts. Star products like its Mushroom Toner and masks have won the hearts of many beauty enthusiasts.

Today, Little O is here to organize the star items from each Origins series.

I. Mushroom Series

[Mushroom Toner] >>>>>>

As a flagship product of Origins, the Mushroom Toner has been popular in China for a long time. The third-generation product, which focuses on "removing yellowing and fighting glycation," sparked a new wave of purchasing frenzy after being heavily recommended by many influencers.

This toner has a texture similar to water, slightly yellowish, with a scent of traditional Chinese medicine reishi mushroom that isn't unpleasant. It absorbs well and feels very refreshing. It helps regulate the skin's natural resistance and boost immunity. It also contains sea buckthorn, which promotes cell regeneration and healing. This product is highly effective for sensitive skin during seasonal changes, offering powerful soothing and nourishing effects. Although moisturizing, it won't over-nourish oily skin. It works well for redness, dryness, itching, and breakouts caused by environmental factors.

Benefits: Soothing and anti-inflammatory, functional toner.

Suitable for: All skin types, including sensitive skin. The toner has a moderate consistency, slightly thick, and absorbs quickly when patted onto the face. During periods of breakouts, redness, or allergies, it can be used as a wet compress for effective soothing and stabilization.

[Reishi Mushroom Serum] >>>>>>

It reaches deep into the skin's base, directly awakening the skin's self-repair power and helping rebuild healthy skin! It has soothing effects, especially for quickly calming inflammation from red, swollen pimples. It's also great for dullness caused by seasonal dryness, lack of sleep, or staying up late.

This was the first serum I used after coming to the US. My skin is very sensitive, prone to breakouts, oily on the outside but dry on the inside. Not just during seasonal changes, even jet lag makes my pores huge. I didn't know before that all indoor spaces in the US have air conditioning on!!! It makes my skin extremely dry, to the point of peeling around the nose... Then a female PhD colleague who had been in the US for years recommended this serum, saying it's perfect for my skin type. After half a month of use, I never had peeling again, and my pores became much finer!

This serum contains reishi mushroom, cordyceps, and sea buckthorn, which soothe the skin and naturally combat sensitivity, seasonal changes, oiliness, and enlarged pores.

It has a twist-and-press pump head to block bacteria and prevent active ingredients from oxidizing. Store away from light.

It has a light herbal scent, absorbs very well, and has a refreshing texture that isn't greasy at all!

II. Coffee Series

[Coffee Eye Cream] >>>>>>

If you're looking for an eye cream to reduce puffiness, consider those containing caffeine. These eye creams often have excellent effects on de-puffing, reducing swelling, and eliminating under-eye bags. Many say Origins' Coffee Eye Cream gives a brightening effect around the eyes, which is actually due to mica content rather than glitter. Mica helps improve under-eye bags and swelling.

Its main benefits are reducing puffiness, lifting the eye area, and fading dark circles. Natural tangerine peel extract accelerates microcirculation around the eyes to reduce puffiness; it also contains magnolia extract and mica to effectively brighten the eye area and fade dark circles. The cream is very smooth, with a pearlescent effect for instant brightening.

[Coffee Face Cream] >>>>>>

This cream is moisturizing without being stuffy, fitting Origins' formula design style. It follows a botanical route, using at least 3% jojoba oil for moisturizing. It blends synthetic esters, silicone oil, and cetyl alcohol, followed by over 1.5% cocoa resin. The oil phase isn't particularly occlusive, possibly leaving a slight shine, with many plant oils for moisturizing. Key point: suitable for normal to dry skin! There might be some shine, but if used at night, the shine will be absorbed by morning, leaving skin soft—something it can achieve.

Caffeine has the following skincare benefits:

1. Antioxidant, anti-aging

2. Soothes skin

3. Reduces under-eye puffiness

III. Charcoal Series

[Charcoal Honey Mask] >>>>>>

The 'Black Gold Mask' Charcoal Honey Cleansing & Nourishing Mask uses Japanese bamboo charcoal, which can absorb 100 times its weight in impurities, deeply cleansing dirt and oil from pores, purifying and refining them. Combined with kaolin clay, it absorbs and removes excess oil, enhancing the cleansing effect for deep pore purification.

-Black: Japanese activated bamboo charcoal—purifies pores: powerful adsorption, like a magnet to remove pore impurities, deep cleansing for even and refined skin.

-Gold: 4-fold fermented honey—soothes and repairs: selected wild flower fermented honey from Mexico, Argentina, Canada, and the US, calms and nourishes skin after cleansing, leaving it smooth and porcelain-like.

-Kaolin clay—balances oil: kaolin clay gently removes excess oil, helps restore a bright, translucent complexion, and balances skin's oil-water levels.

How to use: Use 1-2 times per week. After cleansing, while skin is slightly damp, apply an even layer over the entire face, avoiding eyes, lips, and mouth area. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with water. For best results, use a facial steamer or warm towel before applying the mask.

IV. Saw Palmetto Oil Control Series

[Acne Gel] >>>>>>

This acne gel uses salicylic acid to soften keratin, quickly drying and healing pimples. It's an essential emergency treatment for breakouts, speeding up recovery and reducing redness. (Suitable for all skin types)

The acne-fighting hero, salicylic acid, targets the most aggressive pimples, accelerating healing and reducing redness. Meanwhile, natural herbal acne fighters like Oregano and Clove Buds clean up the aftermath, thoroughly drying out the pimple.

How to use:

Method 1: After cleansing, toner, and lotion, apply the acne gel, then you can use makeup.

Method 2: After daily cleansing, squeeze 1-2 drops onto your finger or a clean cotton swab, gently apply to the pimple and surrounding area to promote healing and repair.

V. Anogeissus Firming Series

[Anogeissus Firming Serum] >>>>>>

The special feature of Origins' Anogeissus Firming Series is the newly upgraded products: the Firming Serum, also called the 'Little Spring,' and the Firming Cream, also called the 'Little Face Cream.' One focuses on creating a springy skin texture, the other on shaping a small face. Together, they aim to recreate a youthful, small face.

This Origins Anogeissus Firming Serum targets skin concerns caused by sun exposure, photoaging, life stress, and environmental pollution. It contains bamboo, which has strong regenerative power to plump and firm skin, and golden peptide-8 to effectively reduce fine lines for smooth, refined skin. Anogeissus opens the skin's absorption channels, and the texture is lightweight and easily absorbed.

[Anogeissus Firming Cream] >>>>>>

With a soft cream texture and a healing herbal scent, it's as light and spreadable as butter. Initially, there's a slight oily feel on the skin, with a thin, clear oil film wrapping it, but it's not greasy or stuffy, feeling very comfortable. The biggest sensation is 'comfort'! It gives the skin a soothing, pleasant feeling like a high-end spa treatment~ I hope this doesn't sound fake or exaggerated.

First, it has some antioxidant effects. Using this cream at night after toner and serum results in noticeably brighter and more radiant skin the next morning compared to not using it. Although there's a slight oily feel upon application, after sleeping, the skin isn't greasy or shiny in the morning—it's very clean, with good pore condition and fine texture.

Second, it has anti-inflammatory effects and significant stabilizing properties. During use, the skin is extremely stable, with very few breakouts (almost none, no matter what you do, though it's best not to test it), no redness, irritation, or fragility. It pairs well with several serums without any conflicts or discomfort.

Third, it has soothing effects. (Not necessarily anti-allergic or sensitivity-relieving; it may not suit all sensitive skin.) If a previous serum causes slight irritation or discomfort, applying this cream immediately relieves and calms the skin, leaving it very peaceful and comfortable. Every application is enjoyable, feeling so comfortable, so comfortable, so comfortable.

VI. Make A Difference Series

As the most basic hydration and moisturizing line, the overall effect is satisfactory. Dry skin can start using it in autumn. The most worthwhile products in this series are the lotion and cream, while the toner and serum are less impressive—other brands at the same price point perform better.

Key benefits: Hydration and moisturizing

Suitable for: Dry skin types, as a basic skincare line, more suitable for younger women

[Make A Difference Rejuvenating Cream] >>>>>>

The cream has a light brown color, not milky white, with a subtle fragrance that isn't strong. It spreads easily, leaving a thin oil film on the skin's surface to lock in moisture. Don't use too much, as it won't absorb well; a moderate amount spreads nicely. It's slightly sticky, but not noticeable on the face. For dry skin in winter, it provides good moisturizing and hydrating effects.

[Make A Difference Rejuvenating Lotion] >>>>>>

An oil-free, gel-like formula that works on three fronts—water capture, storage, and lock-in—to fully repair the skin's internal moisture reservoir. New ingredients like lychee and watermelon extracts stimulate the synthesis of natural moisturizing factors, infusing the skin with 'water.' The series' classic ingredient, Resurrection Plant, helps rebuild the skin's internal water storage function, securely storing natural moisturizing factors within cells. Deep-sea Padina Pavonica helps repair the skin's external moisture barrier, reducing environmental impact and preventing loss of natural moisturizing factors. Suitable for oily and combination-oily skin.

VII. Star Masks

[Clear Improvement Mask] >>>>>>

ORIGINS' Charcoal Mask, commonly known as 'Mud Doll,' is one of Origins' star products. This cleansing mask absorbs oil and dirt from pores, targeting closed comedones and blackheads for clean skin. It has an excellent reputation among cleansing masks. The texture is very moisturizing, thanks to a formula with bamboo charcoal and pure white kaolin clay, providing thorough cleansing without being overly drying.

This mask has a fresh scent. The container is transparent, and the mask inside is black, making it easy to squeeze out and apply to needed areas. Just leave it on for 5-10 minutes. It's quite effective for blackheads, leaving the face feeling much cleaner after use.