Introduction
Orien may not yet have the household recognition of the legacy giants, but within beauty circles its reputation for thoughtfully crafted formulas is growing faster than a restock waitlist. The brand seems determined to marry botanical calm with lab backed efficacy and, if the whispers are true, it often succeeds with impressive grace.
Enter the ambitiously titled Mugwort + Collagen Pore Serum, a name that reads like a full ingredient list and suggests it wants to do everything except file your taxes. Orien promises a low irritation, plant forward blend that feels weightless, keeps shine at bay and coaxily tightens those stubborn pores drop by drop. They spotlight collagen and niacinamide for bounce, ceramide and mugwort for calm and an entire supporting cast of hydrators to keep skin happily cushioned.
I spent a dedicated two weeks slotting this serum into my morning and evening routines, scrutinising texture, absorption, after feel and, most important, results. The aim was simple: decide whether Orien’s latest launch is another bottle of fleeting hype or a genuine investment in clearer, firmer skin.
What is Mugwort + Collagen Pore Serum?
This serum sits in the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare aimed at minimising the look of enlarged pores and addressing the surface issues that make them appear stretched or shadowed. Pore treatments typically combine gentle exfoliation, skin soothing agents and barrier support to keep sebum flow balanced and skin texture smooth.
Orien’s take is a water based formula featuring a mix of collagen extract and niacinamide to help improve elasticity and fade marks left behind by past breakouts. Mugwort, Centella Asiatica and Artemisia Capillaris add anti inflammatory support designed for sensitive or acne prone complexions. Ceramide, allantoin, squalane and shea butter round out the blend by reinforcing the moisture barrier so the skin stays hydrated while active ingredients get on with their tasks.
The brand highlights that the serum has completed a low irritation test, making it suitable for daily use even when skin feels reactive. The finish is intended to be lightweight and non sticky so it can slot into both morning and evening routines without interfering with makeup or sun protection layered on top.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore serum for three full days before starting Orien’s formula, a move that felt both wildly professional and slightly reckless given a looming deadline. I kept everything else in my routine identical so any changes could be pinned squarely on this green tinged newcomer. Fourteen days might not be a clinical trial but it is long enough for my combination skin to reveal whether a treatment is coaxing pores into line or just whispering sweet nothings.
I used one fingertip sized drop morning and night on damp skin, pressing it into the T zone first then smoothing the surplus across cheeks and jaw. The first application vanished in seconds leaving zero tack so SPF and makeup layered without pilling, always a good early sign. By day three sebum output at midday looked marginally dialed down, something I measure by how soon I feel the urge to blot. Normally that itch starts around 1 pm; with Orien it crept closer to 3 pm which felt like winning found time.
Week one delivered its headline promise of a lightweight feel and no irritation. My forehead, usually quick to protest with tiny red bumps when actives overwhelm, stayed calm. The surface looked a touch smoother but pore size remained stubbornly the same in my 10x mirror. I noticed however that post blemish marks lingering on my chin appeared less angry, likely the niacinamide doing quiet repair work in the background.
During the second week improvements plateaued. Skin retained a healthy satin finish throughout the day yet the hoped for tightening effect around my nose never fully materialised. Texture felt slightly refined and any evening redness faded faster than usual, so the soothing claims hold water. Still, if you are chasing visibly “snapped shut” pores you might be left waiting.
So did it work? Partly. It kept oil in check, calmed flare ups and delivered a pleasantly hydrated canvas but it did not achieve the dramatic pore shrinkage implied by its name. I would gladly finish the bottle on no makeup days when I want a breathable calming layer, though I will likely return to my usual acid based treatment for stronger resurfacing. Orien’s serum is a gentle overachiever in comfort yet falls short of a permanent spot in my personal lineup, and that is perfectly fine for a product aimed at featherlight maintenance rather than instant transformation.
Main ingredients explained
Collagen extract headlines the formula, and Orien specifies a plant based source which means the serum stays friendly to vegans and vegetarians while still giving that sought after bounce. Topically applied collagen cannot dive deep enough to rebuild your own fibres yet it does sit on the surface attracting water so skin appears instantly more supple and plump.
Niacinamide follows close behind as the multitasker that brightens post blemish scars, tempers oil production and reinforces the barrier. At 2 to 5 percent concentration it can also help coax enlarged pores into looking a little more refined, though that effect is gradual and requires ongoing use.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and its cousin Artemisia capillaris lend the calming clout. Both are rich in flavonoids that curb inflammation which is why the serum soothed redness within days. Centella asiatica doubles down on that approach by supplying madecassoside and asiaticoside, compounds famous for accelerating wound repair and easing sensitivity.
Ceramide NP is the lipid glue that keeps skin cells locked tight. Paired with allantoin it comforts and reduces flakiness which is essential when you are trying to improve texture without tipping skin into dryness. Squalane, sourced from renewable sugarcane rather than shark liver, gives weightless emollience that mimics skin’s own sebum so it absorbs fast and leaves no greasy veil.
Shea butter rounds out the support cast with a softer, richer cushion. It rates around a 0 to 2 on the comedogenic scale which means most skin types should tolerate it well though extremely clog prone users may want to patch test first. (Comedogenic refers to an ingredient’s likelihood of blocking pores and forming comedones — the medical term for blackheads and whiteheads.)
The serum is free of added fragrance, drying alcohols and essential oils which further lowers irritation risk. All primary actives are considered pregnancy safe in isolation, yet hormonal shifts can make skin unpredictable so it is still best to run any new topical past a healthcare professional before use.
Overall the ingredient list reads like a gentle but well rounded blueprint: humectants for hydration, anti inflammatories for calm, barrier lipids for strength and a dash of brightening to keep the complexion even. Nothing wildly experimental lurks here and that is exactly why it fits the bill for daily maintenance on sensitive or breakout prone skin.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick breakdown after two weeks of daily use.
What works well:
- Absorbs in seconds with a weightless, non sticky finish that layers cleanly under SPF and makeup
- Noticeably calms redness and shaves back midday shine without triggering sensitivity
- Fragrance free formula with barrier friendly lipids feels safe for easily irritated or acne prone skin
- Subtle brightening of post blemish marks adds a healthy satin glow over time
What to consider:
- Pore tightening is modest and gradual so those chasing instant refinement may feel underwhelmed
- Results plateau after the first week compared with stronger exfoliating serums
- Cost sits in the mid to upper range for a daily maintenance product
My final thoughts
After two weeks of twice daily use I can say Mugwort + Collagen Pore Serum earns its 8/10. It behaves with the politeness sensitive skin demands and offers the kind of quiet consistency that keeps a routine ticking along. If your priority is calming redness, balancing midday shine and nudging post breakout marks toward the exit this will serve you well. If, however, you crave a fast track to visibly “vacuumed” pores you might feel it pulls its punches next to stronger acid or retinoid options. That makes it ideal for beginners, anyone in a repair mindset or those cycling stronger actives on alternate nights. Seasoned texture chasers looking for a dramatic blurring effect may want to pair it with, rather than replace, their more intensive exfoliant.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the above caveats and especially to anyone who tells me most pore products sting. The formula feels considered and the ingredient list is refreshingly free of common irritants. I have tried a drawer full of similar serums and this one lands comfortably in the upper-middle tier for everyday maintenance. The only reason it does not sprint into holy-grail territory is the modest speed of change around the nose and cheeks.
For readers weighing options it is worth noting a few alternatives I have also put through their paces. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent allrounder that delivers a convincing pore blur across all skin types at a wallet friendlier price. If you prefer a liquid step, Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner pairs niacinamide with a gentle BHA sweep that keeps congestion in check without stripping. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum costs more but punches above its weight for visible tightening in under a week. Finally Vividraw’s Apple Vinegar Pore Tightening Serum adds a mild natural exfoliation twist that oily skin in particular tends to love.
Before you rush off to add anything new to cart a quick reality check: even the nicest serum needs time and consistent use to show its full hand and no result is forever unless you keep up the habit. Please patch test first on the side of the neck or inner arm (sorry for sounding like an over protective parent) and remember that what glows on my face might behave differently on yours.