Spot or scar? You decide! (Origins Spot Remover)

Member Name: carly_pussycat

Product:	Origins Spot Remover
Date:	24/11/04 (2197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It actually does remove spots

Disadvantages: Peels skin to leave a pale brown mark!

I bought this a while ago and used it on a big spot which worked well, so I wrote a nice glowing report of it on another site. However, I have had quite a bad experience using this since then and don’t really want to touch it again!


SPOT REMOVER

It is sold in a little cardboard box similar to many other Origins products; within it a small (10ml) plastic bottle of gel. The box is unbelievable small (see pic) but you will realise why later. It is a small cylindrical vial about an inch tall claiming to be a spot remover and anti blemish gel.

It smells very chemical when you sniff it, but that’s no real surprise to me as it’s a spot treatment not a nice beauty treat. The smell reminds me of the dentist for some reason; perhaps the cloves? One good thing is that the smell is not actually that strong, I only smelt it because I put my nose up to the nozzle and sniffed it.

When I first heard about this I thought it was going to be a liquid, I am not quite sure why, as it makes a lot more sense for it to be a gel. The texture of the gel is actually fairly liquidy but it is thick enough that you can accurately place a small blob on the affected area. The supposed miracle workers in this little potion are Salicylic Acid, Oregano and Clove Buds. A rather bizarre sounding concoction but time will tell their efficacy.

It may seem obvious that you should use this when you have spots, but be sure not to use it as a preventative measure as it is not intended for that. Only use it when you have an active spot.


DIRECTIONS OF USE

This is something I am a little surprised at: Origins do not give very detailed instructions on when to use this and what areas it should not be applied to and so on and so forth. I suppose they leave most of it to common sense, which thankfully I have.

There are instructions on the box stating: ‘Directions – cleanse skin thoroughly before applying. Cover the entire affected area with one application daily. Gradually increase to 2 or 3 times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor. If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to every other day.’

There are also various warnings: ‘For external use only. Using other topical blemish drugs at the same time or right after use of this product may increase dryness or irritation of the skin. If this occurs, only one medication should be used unless directed by a doctor. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.’

OH MY GOD!! (I bet you’re thinking – well, I know I was!) It does also mention on the website that this product should be kept away from eyes. I think this should have been mentioned on the box as it could prove really nasty.

However, I trust Origins and I think with a little common sense I will be fine, so I carry on and apply the gel as follows:

1. Cleanse face thoroughly and pat until completely dry.
2. Get a cotton bud and very gently squeeze the container until a little blob forms on the nozzle (easier to see if you look at it from the side).
3. Dab the cotton bud on the blob of gel and put the container down.
4. Dab the cotton bud onto the tip of the spot (being careful not to get it too much around the edge of the spot as that is not the affected area).
5. Leave to dry (I wouldn’t bother applying makeup on top of this as it might just clog it up).

Once applied you’ll probably feel a tingle or slight sting but it’s nothing major, just the active ingredients getting to work. Thankfully you can’t smell it on your face.


THE RESULTS

The first time I used this I had a big red lump which hurt (but was not quite a spot). I was actually surprised at how quickly the product disarmed it - I zapped it with this and within an hour the spot had flattened itself out (by this I mean when I ran my finger over it, it no longer felt bumpy) and was not as red in appearance. Applying it in the way I described above I believe shortened the life of the bump (to about 2-3 days) so I was happy.

However, a few weeks later I had a smaller spot on my nose. I applied the gel to it and waited for it to work its magic. Unfortunately I think this spot must have been too small as it irritated and dried out the surrounding skin causing it to peel off after a day. Not only did it peel off but it left a horrible pale brown mark underneath. Admittedly it got rid of the spot and flattened it out so that I could cover it up with foundation but the mark took a while to go (about a month). I was not happy with this as it had left a short-term scar (worse than just letting a spot go away by itself in my opinion).

Origins did mention the possible peeling effect and to reduce the amount you use if that happens, but once it’s peeled off it’s too late!


PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

£8.50 for 10ml which would last a LONG time.

Origins is available in some department stores and separate Origins shops. The store locator is here: http://www.origins.com/locate/index.html


OVERALL VERDICT

All in all, yes, it did work in removing spots but the side effects are just ridiculous, who wants a little brown mark on their face for a while? Not me, as I rarely wear foundation. So unless you consider it an advantage that you can cover a nice smooth surface of skin almost immediately with makeup, I wouldn’t recommend this.

I do appreciate that if this product worked really well it would last for ages but mine will last a lifetime now as I am kind of scared of using it. I’ll probably just sell it.

So, spot or scar? You decide!


carly_pussycat - dooyoo UK ©

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