Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 Age-Defense Moisturizer Review

I have been on a hunt for a really effective day moisturizer that has a higher SPF than SPF15. I feel that SPF15 is too low for me especially in the scorching heat of the desert sun. My main requirements for a day moisturizer are higher SPF and of course, moisturizing properties. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to try a new moisturizer by Origins called A Perfect World SPF25 Age Defense that not only has those two properties, but also contains a concoction of strong anti-oxidants that protects skin at the surface from age-accelerating free radicals.

Origins' A Perfect World's star ingredient is the Silver Tip White Tea that supports natural collagen. It's pretty hard to describe what exactly this ingredient does, so I quote Origins on its explanation on the benefits and properties of the Silver Tip White Tea and other factors that make this product stand out:

To guard skin against the harmful effects of ground level ozone, Origins introduces a long-awaited addition to one of the brand’s best-selling collections, A Perfect World™. New A Perfect World™ SPF 25 Age-defense moisturizer with White Tea is a high-performance SPF (sun protection factor) moisturizer that offers multi-level protection against the harmful effects of the environment and premature signs of aging. Dr. Lieve Declercq, Origins Global Scientist of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology reveals, “Since the original launch of the A Perfect World™ Collection ten years ago, our basic knowledge on the premature aging process of the skin has grown tremendously. We now know that there are many different sources of free radicals damage that cause premature signs of aging, including lines and wrinkles and uneven skin tone and texture. Therefore, it is very important to provide broad spectrum protection from free radicals caused by both external and internal triggers, such as ozone, UV exposure, pollution, radiation, smoke and stress, to prevent the future signs of aging.”

POWERED BY NATURE

A Perfect World™ SPF 25 Age-defense moisturizer with White Tea is formulated with the extremely rare Silver Tip White Tea, a scientifically-proven, highly-potent antioxidant that protects skin at the surface from age-accelerating free radicals. The cornerstone of the entire A Perfect World™ Collection, Silver Tip White Tea is the youngest, most tender bud of the tea plant and offers three times the protective abilities of green tea and over ten times the antioxidant power of one capsule of Vitamin E. Silver Tip White Tea also contains a high amount of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), the powerful antioxidant that protects skin from age-accelerating free radicals. Compared to many antioxidants, White Tea scavenges a much broader range of free radicals. In fact, it was prized by emperors as the key ingredient in China’s famed elixir of immortality.

Dr. Declercq recently conducted a study on the multiple benefits of Silver Tip White Tea, and her scientific findings revealed that Silver Tip White Tea goes far beyond just antioxidant benefits. She discovered that it also offers:

• Anti-collagenase benefits; Silver Tip White Tea works to support natural collagen whose breakdown can hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• Anti-glycation benefits; Silver Tip White Tea reduces excess accumulated sugar in skin that makes it sensitive to the sun

• And, DNA repair technology; Silver Tip White Tea supports skin reducing irritation and lessening the appearance of redness

Also working at the skin’s surface is an SPF system that provides 3-1 ratio of UVA to UVB protection as recommended by the EU Commission. This highly-effective broad spectrum manmade system includes chemical sunscreens:

• Octisalate; which blocks UVB

• Avobenzone; which blocks UVA

• And organic compound Octocrylene; which protects and augments the aforementioned UV absorbers

“For A Perfect World™ SPF 25 Age-defense moisturizer with White Tea, we have selected some of the best available antioxidants that complement White Tea to form an even more powerful protective antioxidant network that provides your skin with its best defense wherever you are,” asserts Dr. Declercq. An ingredient working at the cellular level to reinforce skin’s own defense mechanism making it stronger and more resistant to assaults is Maritime Pine. Grown in an unspoiled natural forest free of pesticides or herbicides near the famous Bordeaux region in France, Maritime Pine protects skin cells from glyc-oxidative damage induced by the presence of naturally occurring sugar in skin that increase with age and damage.

“Additionally, a unique technology from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana works on skin to help visibly repair oxidative damage,” explains Dr. Declercq. Arabidopsis is a small, flowering plant native to Europe, Asia and northwestern Africa that works on skin to help visibly repair past oxidative damage caused by UVA and ozone exposure.

Read the rest of the review after the jump

Origins Launches Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Origins Introduces NEW Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight mask to quench skin’s thirst. The company claims that when you apply this creamy, ultra-hydrating facial mask before bedtime, you will fall asleep confident that your skin will appear hydrated and refreshed with the morning’s first light.

The company gives an in-depth profile of this new product below:

Mega moisturizers including Orange Peel Wax, Avocado Oil and Mango Butter work with Sodium Hyaluronate and Apricot Kernel Oil to quench parched skin. Drink Up™ Intensive works while you sleep to repair and reinforce skin’s moisture barrier, helping to seal in valuable hydration long into the following day.

NEED: Skin temperature rises during the night causing precious moisture to be lost. Skin is also more permeable while we sleep, allowing products to absorb better and penetrate deeper, providing the perfect opportunity to counteract overnight dehydration.

PRODUCT: This intensely hydrating overnight mask utilizes the natural power of plants to quickly quench skin’s thirst and combat overnight moisture loss while boosting vital hydration levels. Within minutes of applying, skin’s moisture levels are clinically proven to surge to 75%.

BENEFITS: This rich, creamy mask utilizes a powerful combination of Orange Peel Wax, Avocado Oil and Mango Butter along with Sodium Hyaluronate and Apricot Kernel Oil to quench parched skin. Wheat Bran and Olive Extract fortify and seal skin’s vital moisture barrier with the help of Japanese Seaweed, ensuring replenished skin by daybreak. Pomegranate adds a natural boost of antioxidants while Oat Kernel Extract and Purple Rice help calm and soothe. By morning, a brimming reservoir of hydration amplifies skin’s ability to retain optimal moisture levels throughout the day. In a Sensory/Consumer study, 88% of women tested reported their skin was moisturized upon waking.

APPLICATION: Squeeze into palms to warm, and gently massage a liberal amount onto clean skin whenever skin feels thirsty. Tissue off excess.

PRICE: Suggested Retail Price is $21.00 for 3.4 oz/100ml tube

Key Ingredients include:

Orange Peel Wax- Helps maintain skin’s moisture levels.

Avocado Oil- Helps hydrate, condition and heal dry, damaged skin.

Mango Butter- Known for its nourishing properties, Mango Butter is used to heal and rejuvenate damaged skin.

Sodium Hyaluronate- Immediately provides skin with much needed moisture.

Apricot Kernel Oil A gentle, extremely nourishing emollient.

Wheat Bran- Helps fix and seal skin’s moisture barrier to prevent moisture loss.

Oat Kernel Extract- Helps soothe skin.

Pomegranate- A powerful antioxidant that also encourages the healing of skin cells.

AVAILABILITY: Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight mask to quench skin’s thirst will be available November 2009 at Origins Retail Stores, select Department Stores and via www.ORIGINS.com

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream Review

I've been on the look-out for a really good eye cream for quite a while now. I have been having puffy undereyes because I usually sleep late and wake up early. I want something to de-puff those bags, and at the same time moisturize and keep the area soft and supple.

It looked like GinZing eye cream from Origins was a good candidate because of its de-puffing and moisturizing qualities. The company's claims about the product are quoted below:

GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff

86% brighter appearance
80% reduction in puffiness

Late night? Long flight? Look tired all the time? Prepare to become one of the perky people! Nature’s clinically-proven morning-after eye cream instantly reduces dark circles. Unsightly bags and puffiness virtually disappear. And Origins proprietary complex of Caffeine from Coffee bean, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia Extract and natural optic brighteners rapidly wakes up, refreshes and restores radiance to tired eyes.

I haven't been using this product long so I can't make a review on its long-term effects, but here are my initial thoughts on the product after using it for three days, both in the morning and at night before I retire:



(Full review after the jump)



My Take: This eye cream is named GinZing because it has ginseng extracts that claim to soothe and refresh tired, puffy eye areas. The minute I received this product, I placed it in the fridge to cool down, and applied it on the undereye are and the outer corners of the eyes after cleaning my face. Wow! I loved the feeling on the eye. The title does say it all -- it felt so refreshing on the skin. It was cool, soothing and relaxing. The bonus is that after a while, I felt that my undereye area was a tad brighter, and the undereye area was not as puffed as before. Keep in mind that I have only used this product for a few days, so I have not really seen the long-term effects of the eye cream. Nonetheless, this is pretty good so far. I also loved the very refreshing (yes, this word again) scent, very pleasant, not cloying or bothering at all.

I like that this is a sort of jack-of-all-trades eye cream that soothes, depuffs and moisturizes all at the same time. It doesn't do miracles, and it doesn't promise them either. It just gives a very pleasant feeling as it depuffs eyebags and create a softer, more supple eye area.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream is available at Origins stores and online for US$29.50 (net wt. 0.5 oz./15 ml).

NOTE: A media sample of the product was provided for this review. To read more of this blog's policy and disclosures on products used for review, please go to The Shades Of U's Disclosures Page.

The Beauty of Being Green: New York Educator Named Winner Of Origins “What Makes You Eco-Fabulous?™

NEW YORK – Origins, a brand committed to promoting beauty and wellness through natural products, named New York City teacher Gioya DeSouza-Fennelly the winner of their “What Makes You Eco-Fabulous?™” campaign. The campaign invited the environmentally-conscious consumer to submit video, blogs or images describing how they embrace an organic and natural lifestyle. After reviewing hundreds of applicants, Origins representatives selected the Bronx, NY resident for her overwhelming dedication to environmental initiatives. “Origins has always celebrated the connection between Mother Nature and Human Nature and this campaign gave us a unique opportunity to see how our consumers also live by these principles,” said Kay Su, director, Origins Online Marketing. “We had a lot of amazing entries, but Gioya DeSouza-Fennelly’s story stood out. In addition to living ‘green' day-to-day in her personal life, she also educates and inspires upcoming generations to be eco-conscious.”

DeSouza-Fennelly took interest in the global environment while growing up in Goa, India. After moving to the United States, she received her M.S. in Biophysical Chemistry from Fordham University and became a science educator with the New York City Department of Education; she currently teaches at Intermediate School 143 in the Washington Heights community of Northern Manhattan (IS 143). In an effort to cultivate a new generation of "eco-techies," a term DeSouza-Fennelly uses to describe her passion, she also obtained certification as a Horticultural Therapist and Landscape Designer at the New York Botanical Gardens. This has helped her to strengthen the integration of environmental education into her science curriculum. With this experience she pioneered the development of the Penny Harvest Garden, a handicapped-accessible organic school garden funded by donations, and the Junior Master Gardener Program, which engages students in service-learning projects at school and in the local community. “I know as individuals we can make a difference, but I am fortunate to have a captive audience of 120 students each year who if instilled with the responsibility of being stewards of this planet, will go out and make positive choices as adults,” said DeSouza-Fennelly. The students in DeSouza-Fennelly’s class are immersed in environmental awareness. “All project-based learning incorporates only recycled materials and every aspect of the curriculum is linked to real-life practices,” said DeSouza-Fennelly. “Students learn about indoor and outdoor pollutants, how to test the air quality in their community and organic gardening. Most importantly each student is required to design ‘The Perfect Planet’ which would be their legacy for the next generation. This project gives students the opportunity to educate their families and communities in earth-friendly practices.”

DeSouza-Fennelly is now working on raising funds to build a rooftop “Living Lab” greenhouse powered by alternate clean energy on top of IS 143. This would allow students to learn sustainability and real-life “green skills” while addressing all the National Science Standards. For her dedication to environmental initiatives and education DeSouza-Fennelly was awarded a four night stay, including airfare and breakfast, for two at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole in Teton Village, WY. The exclusive resort is renowned for its commitment to luxury as well as sustainability. In addition to the stay at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, she also received a bevy of organic goodies including the entire line of Origins Organics™,the first full line of prestige skin, body and hair care products certified under USDA NOP standards, fine organic cotton bed linens from LOOP Organics and more! “My children got me hooked on Origins years ago and now I’m an avid shopper,” said DeSouza-Fennelly. “It’s an honor to be acknowledged by a brand that I’ve always admired for their wonderful products and their continued commitment to the preservation of earth, animal and environment.”

About Origins

Our mission at Origins is to promote beauty and wellness through good-for-you products and feel-good experiences. We do this by celebrating the connection between Mother Nature and Human Nature. Introduced in the United States in 1990, Origins launched internationally in 1991. It is currently sold in more than 30 countries and territories including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.