I didn’t go looking for Oria Skin because I wanted another pretty bottle on my bathroom shelf , I went looking for a brand that could hold me. My skin, my hormones, my late-night shifts, my healing body, my outdoors-obsessed lifestyle… all the messy, beautiful chaos of life in my 30s.
I wanted something that felt like care, not just skincare. Something that understood what it means to live under the fierce New Zealand sun, to hike through the dry South Island air, to sweat through hours of tennis, and to navigate the quiet complexities of a body still recovering from endometriosis and surgery.
In short, I wanted a routine I could grow old with , a “forever” kind of skincare.
That’s the headspace I was in when Oria found me...
Like many women I know, skincare is personal. It’s grounding. It’s often the one ritual that stays with us when everything else is shifting. And with my lifestyle , night shifts, birding and wildlife days, tramping, the return of tennis ,my skin was begging for something consistent and kind.
I’ll be honest, I did have a brand I liked before Oria. I loved it ,but my bank account didn’t. One product was four times the price of anything in the Oria lineup. And as much as I believe in investing in good skin, I also believe in financial sanity. 😅 Consistency shouldn’t come at the cost of stress.
Enter Oria Skin 😌
I started with their Vitamin C Renewal Serum, using it twice a day after cleansing. No drama, no irritation ,just that surprising “my skin looks alive?” moment.
The science backs it up: vitamin C helps support collagen, brighten uneven tone, protect against sun damage, and soften the signs of fatigue (which, if you’ve ever worked night shifts, you know is basically a miracle). The turmeric and provitamin B5 also help calm and hydrate the skin , a blessing when your environment is as harsh as ours.
Then came the product that turned me into a full-blown Oria devotee: the Brightening Enzyme Polish.
After the first use, I messaged Kate to say, “What sorcery is this?”
The combination of fruit enzymes and gentle exfoliation melted away dullness without that stripped feeling. My skin looked fresh, lit-from-within, and honestly… joyful. Even after five straight hours of tennis ,under UV levels that would make dermatologists weep ,my skin was still thriving and glowing.
Now, in my second week as an Oria stan, I’ve added their Day Cream and Luminous Oil. Together, they seal in hydration, protect my skin barrier from the dry South Island air, and lock in that glow without feeling heavy. It’s the kind of routine that feels luxurious without trying too hard , like a small, daily promise to myself.
A skincare routine that aligns with my life and my values
What I love most about Oria is that it feels like they understand something many brands overlook:
Skin doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s connected to hormones, stress, environment, recovery, and lifestyle.
As someone managing hormonal fluctuations from endometriosis and the ups and downs of shift work, using products that feel soothing ,not disruptive , matters deeply to me. Oria’s clean formulations, gentle actives, and thoughtful ingredient choices strike that balance beautifully.
And yes, sustainability matters. When a brand aligns with both my skin’s needs and my values, it feels like I’m supporting myself and the planet in one go. Beauty that doesn’t cost the earth , literally.
Two weeks in and this won’t be my last Oria love letter
My skin feels calmer. Brighter. Resilient, even on the days I don’t feel that way.
Oria has become more than a routine , it’s a grounding ritual that reminds me to slow down and choose care over chaos, softness over stress.
Thanks for coming along on this little love story between me and my skin. More chapters to come.
P.S.
My skin is far from perfect, but I’m learning to care for it gently … without losing the joy of living under the sun.☀️
Xx,
Jemjem