Origins • Checks and Balances • Cleansers

mysilentface on 5/11/2013 1:08:00 PM more reviews by mysilentface

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have mixed feelings on this cleanser. I guess depending on the weather, I sometimes felt it completely stripped my skin of moisture and caused breakouts because of it. Other days, it felt like a nice cleanser that did its job. The texture was nice and only a little amount is needed for each use. Can't say I'd recommend this if you have sensitive or dry skin.

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Minielk on 5/1/2013 9:11:00 PM more reviews by Minielk

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I gave this product a try after using Clinique for a couple of years. I haven't seen a great difference from my Clinique wash - frankly both are great.

I like the consistency of this product and I find that it does make my face nice and clean, the foaming quality is also credited for that. The only time I get acne is when I'm hormonal, and overall this product seems to do a great job of keeping my skin clear and balanced. Most face washes are drying for me, this one is not very drying and I don't feel an intense need to put lotion on right after.

I have very oily skin and I'm not sure if this has kept the oil more at bay, I'll have to see how it works in the summer. I do suspect my oil production is a TAD lower than it used to be, though.

I'd buy it again for sure.

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Selly03 on 4/28/2013 6:14:00 PM more reviews by Selly03

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have combination skin, so I have some more oily patches and tend to get some dry skin around my nose and small patched elsewhere.

I bought it because I was told it was great for the dry and oily patches on skin. It did not dry my skin out which is great, however, I do not feel it cleansed my skin enough, particularly the more oily areas.
That being said, you really don't need much of the product as a small amount goes a long way. It lathers extremely well so you literally only need a pea size amount which is great.
Over all I think it is a good product but not for the price. I would not buy it again. I think it would be good for people with very dry skin.

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pb84 on 4/25/2013 12:34:00 AM more reviews by pb84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This cleanser is really foaming, nice smell but that's all about it.
Too expensive because it doesn't work. Whatever doesn't work means wasting money to me.
It strips all my oil out. Having acne prone, oily skin with a bonus of sensitiveness I don't appreciate it. Within 30 minutes after using this, my face produces enough oil to fry an egg or 2.
It might work for who has healthier skin than mine. So I give a 3 lippie, else it goes down to bottom.
Re0purchase? you gotta kidding me. Hell no!

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*TOP REVIEWER* sprite26 on 4/23/2013 11:40:00 PM more reviews by sprite26

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Checks and Balances is a thorough but gentle foaming cleanser that I like to use as a back-up when I run out of my Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming. This lathers up really nicely, removes all traces of makeup, never irritates or dries my oily/combo skin. My only complaint about this cleanser is that it doesn't seem to rinse off as completely as my Clinique does, sometimes it feels like I still have product residue on my skin. But that's okay because I use toner afterward. Great product overall though, recommended.

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Xexuxa on 4/8/2013 12:11:00 AM more reviews by Xexuxa

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Black    

This is a pretty basic cleanser for me. I find it a little pricey for the amount in the bottle, but I tend to go through cleansers very quickly.

I found the formula slightly drying, although it did cleanse the skin well. Still, I found my skin wasn't as soft or as bright when I used this cleanser and I have very oily skin. Someone who wants a basic cleanser would like this product, but I have found better products for cleansing

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materialface on 3/18/2013 11:31:00 AM more reviews by materialface

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this facewash for 1 1/2 years now. Before this, I was using Aveeno which worked really well for my skin. This is my HG everyday facewash. I've tried lower and higher end facewash and I always go back to this one. Up until when i bought the Mia2 only a month ago, I was using my hands and sephora's face wash brush and it worked perfectly fine.

-This face wash is perfect for my oily t-zone and normal cheeks & chin.
-Does not make my face feel tight afterwards.
-It really feels like it is cleaning your skin and removing all the dirt.
-Beware if you get this into your eyes. Origins face products are not eye-friendly.
-HIGHLY recommend this for people with oily to combination skin.
-You only need a pea sized amount, it will lather within seconds

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* asian_vixen on 3/9/2013 2:47:00 AM more reviews by asian_vixen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I recently went through hormonal and cystic breakouts along with early signs of wrinkles and needed to revamp my skincare regimen. i was looking for cleansers which are good for sensitive skin and tried a sample at Sephora. i realized i loved it so much after i was unable to use my super expensive Dior purifying with crystal iris cleanser and kept reaching for this one. I used it for two months and I love how it foams up to a creamy/plushy cleanser and the smell is not so off putting as Dior's. It didn't strip my skin and removes all traces of my makeup (except for my very water resistant Shiseido sunscreen which i have to use Origins Clean Energy for). It really is best for combination/oily skin. i was about to call it my HG until i tried La Roche Posay Toleraine purifying foam cleanser, which is absolutely fragrance free and is as frothy/creamy, cleans just as well, more moisturizing on my current combination/dry skin than Origins. But Origins is more bang for your buck at 5oz, especially at some stores offering 20% off deals versus La Roche Posay is only 4.2 oz at 24$; both are SLS/Paraben free. If Essential oils and the peppermint oil/smell of this bothersome, i recommend La Roche Posay Toleraine purifying foam cleanser. Overall i will go back to this cleanser as an old fave if Toleraine becomes too pricey and harder to find.

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Siimie on 1/13/2013 6:02:00 PM more reviews by Siimie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this cleanser. I have combination oily/dry skin, and use Retin A on a regular basis so I can definitely get overly dry. First off, you only need a tiny amount of this cleanser to get a whole lot of lather. I use a half pea size drop to get my whole face and neck. At this rate, with daily use the 5oz bottle will last me a year and a half, so the high price really isn't so high at only a little over a dollar per month. It smells great, too! I will definitely keep buying.

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SKSS on 1/12/2013 8:56:00 PM more reviews by SKSS

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This is an average cleanser. I got mines free for earth day. But I would never spend$20 for this cleanser. Judging from the detergents it is fairly alkaline skin is acidic however this did not irritate or sensitize my skin it is surprisingly fairly gentle the aroma of this cleanser is nice. Feels likeyou are in a spa.like others said spells sort of like spearmint tooth paste

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lpogirl on 1/5/2013 8:16:00 PM more reviews by lpogirl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I really like this face wash and over the years I've been back and forth using it. My primary reason for not purchasing it regularly is the lack of accessibility (I have to order it on line). Also, the price isn't always palatable as I feel guilty when I spend $24.00 U.S. dollars on a face cleanser. However, with that being noted, it really is a great cleanser, with a nice smell and a lovely lather (I like a good lather). This product leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh, and I never experience any breakouts when using.

My comparable (more economical backup cleanser) is Olay Foaming Face Wash - Combination/Oily (in the tube not the pump). It's a nice close second to Origins, and if I pay attention to my weekly flyers, I can find it for around $7.00 - now that's a price that doesn't make me feel guilty!

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LadyVLO on 12/20/2012 12:37:00 AM more reviews by LadyVLO

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this cleanser for 3.5 weeks. There's nothing super exciting about this cleanser. I think it's a great every day gentle cleanser but it did nothing for my skin issues (hormonal acne/hyperpigmentation) however it didn't make it worse (from what I can tell). I'm going to keep my commitment & use it for a full weeks then I'm committing the next 4 weeks to Murad Acne Complex kit. However, I read it can be over drying so its possible I will continue with this cleanser ever other day. I can say this cleanser did not dry out my skin as in some of the reviews I read.

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*TOP REVIEWER* NancyM on 12/10/2012 9:34:00 AM more reviews by NancyM

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Other    

I got this as part of a 500 point bonus from Sephora and I'm extremely happy that I didn't pay for this product (except that I wish I could get my points back).

This has spearmint in it. Spearmint. What on god's green earth is spearmint doing in a product for the face? It burns and stings.

Second problem, it foams too much. That tells me that Origins puts soapy foaming agents in the product to make people feel like it works better than a cleanser that doesn't foam. All those foamy ingredients do is make it harsher. They don't help it clean any better.

Third issue: No product that advertises itself as being natural should look pearly. Again, that means they've put something a little bit extra to make it look sparkly.

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trishz on 11/22/2012 1:43:00 AM more reviews by trishz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I love this cleanser! I am allergic to sulfates and have dry skin that will break out every couple months or so, and this facewash is wonderful! It isn't drying, gets your skin really clean and doesn't leave a residue.

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phuongtrinh1507 on 11/21/2012 11:10:00 AM more reviews by phuongtrinh1507

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

i like it!!!

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htrrr0 on 11/9/2012 11:30:00 PM more reviews by htrrr0

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Great cleanser! It is a bit soapy, but the scent is very calming and herbal. Foams great, works great with my clarisonic mia. It cleanses my skin extremely well without stripping all the oils. I have combination skin, dry on the cheeks and oily on the t-zone, and this cleanser really does "check and balance" on right areas on my face!

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*TOP REVIEWER* whisper on 9/18/2012 1:38:00 PM more reviews by whisper

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Very soapy product. It's supposedly aimed at those with combination skin, which I have, but unfortunately this stuff strips my skin like no other cleanser I've tried. For that reason alone, I can't continue to use it. My skin felt so tight afterwards that it became itchy and uncomfortable. That's not acceptable in my book. A good cleanser should leave me with clean, supple skin, not a "pulling" mask-like sensation. I'm now using the remainder to clean my makeup brushes so that I'm not throwing my money away. (Incidentally, it's actually very good at getting my brushes squeaky clean). That being said, I obviously didn't buy it to use as a brush cleaner. I won't be repurchasing, nor would I recommend it––save your money.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

closetrebels on 9/9/2012 5:36:00 PM more reviews by closetrebels

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

When I went into Origins, the sales lady created a skincare regimen for my combination skin. Previously, I hadn't really been taking good care of my skin; a few manuka honey masks here and there, and moisturising with argan oil. However, when I started using this cleanser (along with Modern Friction) I have to say my skin has improved. It's not as flaky as it usually was, and feels cleaner without being feeling to stripped and taut. I can't exactly say if this is the best cleanser ever because there are other components in my skincare regimen. However, this has been working well for me. If you don't want to commit to a full size, I'd recommend trying to purchase a travel sized one. They're easily available online. For the 150ml size, the price is not expensive as I feel it could last for a while. A little goes a long way!

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marchigiano on 7/29/2012 12:23:00 PM more reviews by marchigiano

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I've been using this for about 3 months now with my Clarisonic MIA. While at first I thought this cleanser was going to be HG, after the first few months I fell out of love with it.

It seems to leave a film and my skin never feels clean after washing. It's also slightly drying on my dry parts, and doesn't help enough with my oil on my nose.

Unfortunately, I won't be purchasing again. I think this is just slightly too harsh for dry skin types.

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EloquenceSmith on 7/8/2012 1:28:00 PM more reviews by EloquenceSmith

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is by far the best cleanser I have ever used. It's so rare that a products does exactly what it claims on its packaging. I use this twice daily and it leaves my skin wonderfully clean, free of sunblock (from daytime use) with no residue.
For me, the clearest evidence that this is a great cleanser lies in the fact that after cleansing in the evening, I can comfortably wait for 25 minutes prior to applying Retin A. I have very dry skin, and this product seems to cleanse without leaving me with that overtly tight, pulled skin feeling I've experienced with so many other cleansers.
I purchased my first bottle in January this year, and with twice daily usage it lasted until June. Value!!!! You only need a small amount as a dab creates enough froth to thoroughly cleanse. I'm on my second bottle now and I could not be happier.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No