Origins Make A Difference Moisture Makers Gift Set

Being something of an Origins fan, I was thrilled to receive the 'Moisture Makers' gift set as a Christmas present. If you're new to Origins, then these little kits are a great way to dip your toe in and give some products a try without committing  to the full-size versions, and they're equally handy if you're already hooked and just fancy giving something else a go.

The Moisture Makers Gift Set contains:

50ml Make a Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk

50ml Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion

15ml Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Serum

50ml Make a Difference Plus Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream

A quick heads up for you - I have always considered my skin to be pretty 'normal'.

The first thing I noticed upon cracking open the cleanser was the wonderful, fruity smell. If you like oranges, then this little set will be just your cup of tea, as upon further investigation I discovered that both the Treatment Lotion and the Skin Rejuvenating Serum share the same deliciously tangy aroma. The Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream differs slightly on that score, with more of an earthy, yet still citrus-y scent.

The Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk is packed with organic olive oil and plant glycerin to instantly melt away make-up and other debris, while Rose of Jericho,Trehalose and Sea Haricots 'form a skin-pampering buffer'.

I like to massage the product into dry skin before removing with a warm muslin cloth to take away any leftover traces of dirt and grime. Being a cleansing milk, it's creamy but light in consistency, meaning I prefer to double cleanse just to be sure my skin is the cleanest it can be. I find that this leaves it feeling really lovely and soft, all ready to drink in the next product in the regime.

Next, you can apply the Skin Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion by applying some to a large cotton wool pad and sweeping it across your face and neck. The same combo of Rose of Jericho, trehalose and Sea Haricots  are designed to help skin rebound from any dehydration, while an Oceanic Flora helps improve the appearance of UV damage and environmental exposure.

I had always put off investing in a serum, unsure that they were really worth the money, so I was keen to give the Skin Rejuvenating Serum a go. You only need the tiniest amount, and it absorbs into the skin really quickly.

For anyone who is new to serums, the point is that they contain much smaller molecules than moisturisers, which are able to penetrate deeper into the skin, getting nutrients further down where they are needed the most.  Due to this, they can help to both combat and prevent a variety of skin complaints, where a moisturiser can only hydrate and seal in moisture.

Last but not least comes the Ultra Rich Rejuvenating Cream, thick in consistency and, as the name suggests, very rich. While all of these products are designed to be used both morning and night, I tend to slather this one on just before bed to give my skin a real treat, replacing it with another Origins moisturiser, the A Perfect World SPF25 Age Defence Moisturiser with White Tea. This is mostly down to the fact that I require SPF on a day to day basis, and not all of my foundations and tinted moisturisers can provide it.

While I was following the complete regime, I found that I wasn't noticing a huge difference in my skin, so I had a quick scan of the ingredients lists and noticed that the Rejuvenating Treatment does contain denatured alcohol. Alcohol is known to be quite drying, so I was surprised to find it in a product from this particular range, especially since the lotion itself is specifically recommended for dehydration.  After swapping to my Suti Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner, I quickly noticed an improvement in the condition of my skin. I have been following this routine for over three weeks now, and it has actually been something of an eye-opener for me . Just because your skin is not covered with flaky, dry patches, it doesn't mean that it's not gasping for a drink. Mine now feels so wonderfully plump, soft and smooth that it's clear that it had been muddling through, feeling dehydrated and thirsty, for quite some time.

Unfortunately, this particular set was a Christmas offering, and is no longer available. However, you can find all of the full-size products online on the Origins and Boots websites as well as in-store and at any Origins counter. Do keep your eyes open though, as the Origins website often have deals on, ranging from limited edition gift sets to free samples with your orders.

Have you tried any of the Make a Difference range?

What are your favourite Origins products?

xx