I was one of the lucky few to receive the Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer, and Eye Cream for free through Influenster in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation to write this review. Interested in getting free products for review? Sign up here- SIGN UP HERE
Refreshing Scrub Cleanser: Touted to gently exfoliate and unclog pores. Infused with an uplifting aroma of Grapefruit, Lemon, and Spearmint. Price- $20.50 at major retailers like Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s.
Initial Impressions: There is a light citrus scent to this product. I have very sensitive combination skin so I am always cautious when trying new scrubs, most irritate my skin resulting in break out central. I put some onto my hand and my fear grew when I felt the grittiness of this product. I was pleasantly surprised when I added water and rubbed my hands together, the soapiness helped the product glide across the skin, making it less irritating. I gave it a whirl on my face and anxiously waited for the next day to roll around to see if there would be a red spot on my face. I continued this waiting game for a whole week before I deemed this product safe for my face.
One month later: My skin was in a good state prior to starting this experiment. I didn’t go into it expecting a miracle, just hoping that it wouldn’t revert back to the oily/pimply mess that it was before. I can say that this did not irritate my skin. I did not develop a single pimple from this scrub. I would recommend this for any skin type as it isn’t overly drying or irritating. On a few occasions, I had to take care of something and walked out of the bathroom after washing my face, forgetting to put on moisturizer. I didn’t experience any itchiness, tight skin, or flaking. Overall a good value, I really like that this is something that multiple skin types can use without fear of irritation.
Ingredients:
-Panax Ginseng
-Coffee Beans
-Jojoba
-Carnauba
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil*, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Limonene, Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract, Caffeine, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Monosodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol.
“Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.”
The citrus scent is thanks to the essential oils included. Some of the ooey gooey thick texture that we love in this scrub is thanks to Sodium Chloride, often used as a thickening agent in cosmetics. Sodium Chloride a.k.a. table salt is a known irritant to skin and has been shown to irritate/cause acne. I don’t know about you, but I prefer salt on my food and not in my skin care. Another ingredient that popped out at me is Disodium EDTA, another salt known to irritate acne. This is added to soaps and cosmetics to help balance out hard water on skin and prevent deterioration in cosmetics. It’s really hard to avoid these ingredients so I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. If you’re really that concerned just stick with oil cleansing or a clear Neutrogena Bar.
Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer: Said to hydrate and rev up radiance to create a healthy, vibrant glow without oil. Price- $28.50 at major retailers like Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s.
Initial impressions: It says that there is a lively scent of grapefruit, lemon, and mint… but I get none of that. This is not a creamy formula. It has a consistency somewhere between a cream and a gel. Put a few dabs on and rub it in, it melts deep into skin without leaving your face feeling like you took a bath in oil. My skin felt moisturized without feeling weighed down by product.
One month later: I didn’t notice any radical change in my skin. This did a good job as a moisturizer. The one thing that I really like is that it didn’t make my skin feel oily, this is especially important in hot humid climates. I did not form any pimples while using this product. Overall it does its main job, to moisturize. If you are on a budget, I wouldn’t kill myself to get this as there are plenty of other moisturizers that do the same if not a better job. If you have some cash to burn or are fiercely loyal to this brand then go for it!
Ingredients: Water\Aqua\Eau, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil*, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Butter, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Wax, Dimethicone, Coleus Barbatus Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract\Extrait D’orge, Trehalose, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Sodium Pca, Arginine, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polysilicone-11, Carbomer, Pantethine, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Calcium Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol.
“Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.”
Butylene Glycol: the least irritating of all glycols but creepy when you think that it is used in the manufacture of polyester plasticizers, structural material for boats, custom moldings, and sheets and boards for construction. However, when placed on the skin or ingested, butylene glycol is absorbed and broken down into gamma-hydroxybutryic acid, deemed perfectly “safe” as per The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), the FDA, and the World Health Organization. I will leave my reservations regarding governing agencies at the door.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter): I know shea butter is good for your skin, but only unrefined shea butter. This does not resemble raw shea butter, no longer yellow but pure snow white. Cosmetic grade, yes; however, still very irritating to those with sensitive skin.
Hexylene Glycol: Remember when I said there were a few different types of Glycols? This one is more irritating than the one found in the scrub. Moderate in terms of irritation factor, there are scarier options out there.
Refreshing Eye Cream: This product claims to wake up tired eyes by depuffing and reducing dark circles. Said to brighten eyes with Magnola extract. Price- $31.00 at major retailers like Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s.
Initial Impressions: The first thing you will notice once you rub this in is the tingle, it isn’t a painful tingle, just enough to make you feel like something is happening. There is also a slight shimmer effect with this product… no one ever complained about a little highlight :).
One month later: I really enjoy using this product. A lot of my Mario Badescu eye creams melt into my eyes and burn over time or cast a film over my vision. This melted in and didn’t leave an oily feeling behind, really important to note if you like to wear eyeshadow. I have no complaints. The tingle is a cool effect. I didn’t notice a dramatic difference in hydration of puffiness. There was a slight decrease in puffiness; however, I can not credit this product alone as I increased my water consumption drastically and that can do the same.
Ingredients: Water\Aqua\Eau, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Peg-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Silica, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pantethine, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caffeine, Coleus Barbatus Extract, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Folic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax Peg-120 Esters, Biotin, Tribehenin, Myristyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499).
“Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.”
Butylene Glycol- see above in moisturizer.
Peg-100 Stearate- Hello endocrine disruptor!! Contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane which is carcinogen and hormone system destroyer.
Dimethicone- Think silicone with anything that ends in “cone” – Clogs pores causes acne, carcinogens & mutagens it also has potential to cause tumors.
Myristyl Alcohol- a fatty alcohol that dries at the same time. Nothing major this far down on the list but something worth taking note of nonetheless.
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR PRODUCTS:
Click to access 60-Harmful-Substances-in-Cosmetics-and-Personal-Care.pdf
http://www.caryskincare.com/acnecomedogeniclist.html
Origins GinZing
Pros
- Pleasant light fragrance to Scrub Cleaner.
- Scrub is very gentle and suitable for all skin types.
- No fragrance to Eye or Facial Gel Moisturizer.
- Products are hydrating, fast absorbing and wont leave skin feeling oily.
- Products are very accessible and available at multiple big chain retailers.
Cons
- Because they sell in countries that require animal testing they are not 100% cruelty-free.
- Scrub has a light citrus scent- if you are VERY sensitive and can not handle that from essential oils, you may want to steer clear.