Did you know that one of the most inspiring Asian-inspired cosmetic brands was created… right here in Poland?
Orientana is my personal journey—inspired by travels across Asia, biological studies, and a fascination with plants. I wanted to create a Polish cosmetics brand that combines respect for nature with the power of plants and the effectiveness of Ayurvedic wisdom.
Today, over a decade later, Orientana inspires thousands of women and men to adopt more conscious, natural skincare. I'd like to tell you how it all began.
The Beginnings of Orientana – How the Polish Cosmetics Brand Came to Be
When I turned 40, I completely changed my professional life. I quit my corporate job and started a new one. Late enough? That's a myth. We women can do anything. We just have to believe in ourselves.
I've always been a woman in love with nature and a healthy lifestyle. For years, I've delved into the beauty traditions of India, Japan, and Korea. The more I learned about local rituals and ingredients, the more I felt this knowledge deserved a presence in European skincare—but without compromise .
I didn't want to copy what was fashionable. I wanted to create something authentic, rooted in respect for nature and experience. Thus, Orientana was born – a Polish cosmetics brand inspired by Asia , but created with the skin needs of our climate in mind.
In 2010, I registered my business, and in 2011, I introduced my first cosmetics to the market – natural, effective, and fragrant – something that wasn't available in Poland and that I know you've been waiting for. And so, step by step, with the help of experts, a brand was created that is now recognized not only in Poland but also abroad.
Natural Polish cosmetics inspired by Asia
I believe that skincare can be wise, effective, and completely natural. That's why, from the very beginning, at Orientan, we've been creating cosmetics based on:
- Ayurvedic recipes that have survived for hundreds of years, e.g. massage oils with turmeric or sandalwood,
- Asian plants such as ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, tremella or snail slime obtained without harming animals,
- care rituals – Korean layering system, Japanese kobido massage, Ayurvedic treatments such as abhyanga.
We create natural Polish cosmetics that not only nourish but also teach tenderness towards oneself and nature.
If you want to start with something unique, check out natural facial oils or Ayurvedic rituals .
My philosophy and values that stand behind Orientana
From day one, I set myself three rules. And we stick to them:
Naturalness
We create cosmetics that contain up to 100% naturally derived ingredients. We don't use synthetic silicones, PEGs, parabens, or microplastics. For example, we offer Indian Jasmine – Moisturizing Body Oil.
Responsibility
We have never tested cosmetics on animals. We do not use ingredients of animal origin whose extraction involves animal suffering.
A holistic approach to beauty
Beauty isn't a fleeting "wow" effect. It's a long-term relationship with your skin. That's why our products, like our Ashwagandha and Peptide Serum, support its natural renewal processes.
Why can we call ourselves experts in Asian skincare?
From the very beginning, I knew that if we were to create natural cosmetics inspired by Asia , it wouldn't be enough to simply draw on tradition. Science is also essential. That's why, at Orientana, we not only draw from the recipes of natural Asian medicine, but also monitor the latest research, collaborate with laboratories , and analyze each ingredient in the context of its actual impact on skin and hair.
We know the ingredients we work with— not just from books, but also from experience . We know how they work, how they interact, and what their biological and cosmetic properties are.
Ashwagandha , which we use in many of our products, is not only an adaptogen known from Ayurveda – it is also an ingredient thoroughly tested for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects.
Reishi mushroom , which you will find in our anti-aging series, contains beta-glucans, which strengthen the skin barrier, protect against oxidative stress and support regeneration.
Tremella fuciformis , called "plant hyaluronic acid", has a unique ability to bind water in the epidermis - a fact confirmed not only by centuries of use in Asia, but also by modern research.
Papaya is a natural exfoliating enzyme that gently removes dead skin cells and brightens the complexion without damaging the skin's microbiome – an effect confirmed in dermatological tests.
Thanks to this, we can create cosmetics that really work – because we know their ingredients inside and out.
Because we do not create them from trendy slogans – but from experience, knowledge and responsibility.
What makes Orientana cosmetics stand out?
I want every Orientana cosmetic to be the result of a meeting of nature and science and tradition and modernity .
Biotechnology + tradition
We use modern extraction methods, such as biofermentation and advanced processes for concentrating and stabilizing active ingredients. But we also retain the wisdom of Ayurveda.
Asian Superplants
In Orientana cosmetics, we utilize unique plant ingredients known from Ayurveda and Asian skincare traditions. This is not only a part of our philosophy—it also guarantees effectiveness, confirmed by research and experience.
We use, among others, ashwagandha , a powerful adaptogen with anti-aging and antioxidant properties, and the Reishi mushroom , which supports skin regeneration and has a soothing effect.
Our recipes also include neem , which cleanses and has antibacterial properties, as well as centella asiatica, a plant that supports the regeneration of the epidermis, increases elasticity and reduces redness.
We also do not forget about hair care - that is why in our trichological line we use lychee , rich in vitamins and antioxidants that protect and strengthen hair, and amla , the Ayurvedic "queen of herbs" that supports hair growth and density.
It is these Asian superplants that give our cosmetics their unique power of action – natural, but scientifically proven.
Polish approach to care
Although my source of inspiration is Asia—its philosophy, rituals, and plants— all Orientana products are created with Polish skin in mind . I know perfectly well that our everyday lives—with hard water, changeable weather, urban smog, and seasonal dryness—require cosmetics that truly address these challenges.
That's why we design Orientana recipes to:
- protect the skin against the effects of air pollution,
- strengthen the hydrolipid barrier exposed to dryness in winter and overheating in summer,
- worked effectively in hard water conditions,
- supported stressed, tired and irritated skin.
Although my first cosmetics were created in India , the heart of Ayurveda, today most of the production takes place in Poland —still in collaboration with Ayurvedic doctors. We create them in modern laboratories with experienced technologists, and I continue to play an active role in product development. I have complete control over quality and have shortened the supply chain.
It's this combination— Asian wisdom and Polish precision —that makes Orientana a unique brand. We create cosmetics that are not only inspired by the East but truly work right where you are—in Europe, in Poland, on your skin.
Transparency and security
Each product is thoroughly tested, reported to the CPNP, and its ingredients are 100% transparent. For example, the Rose Tonic – alcohol-free, based on pure rose hydrolate.
I want to assure you that from the very beginning we have informed you about the full composition of our cosmetics, and I know that this is very important to you.
I invite you to the world of Orientana
Orientana is more than just cosmetics. It's an invitation to a world where self-care becomes a ritual and contact with nature a daily practice.
I created this brand with you in mind. I hope you'll find more than just a product—you'll find a connection to nature and peace .
With cordiality,
Anna Wasilewska
If this topic interests you, get to know us better – check out the about us tab or discover the natural Polish cosmetics that we create with a passion for plants and Ayurveda .
