Josie Maran Argan Skincare Ritual Set

Argan Skincare Ritual Set contains:

• Argan Cleansing Oil 55ml (1.9fl.oz)
• Pure Argan Oil 15ml (0.5fl.oz)
• Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 15 ml (0.5fl.oz)

You can purchase all of the miniatures at Sephora separately. Cleansing oil is 12$, argan oil is 16$, moisturizer is 14$, which totals up to 42$, so this set being only 24$ is definitely a bargain (I assume that 39$ value is calculated out of full size products). Whether these products are actually worth their price tag is a different topic. 

 

Argan Cleansing Oil

 

I was actually very pleasantly surprised with this product. It reminds me of Tatcha cleansing oil, since it has the same thick consistency. It takes off make-up rather well and rinses off clean. The scent is very pleasing as well (sweet, creamy and citrusy). I am not fan of scented skincare products, but since it is a cleanser I do not mind the fragrance. Full size retails for 32$, which is not cheap, but it is better than Tatcha at 48$. The only complaint I have is that the bottle leaks a lot, it is not travel friendly (I also have heard about full size bottle leaking).

Ingredients here are quite basic, few plant oils and two emulsifiers. I do like that it doesn't contain mineral oil (nothing against mineral oil, just do not like the feel of it on my face). The only problematic ingredient is grapefruit peel oil, but I am not concerned about it as much (probably not in very high concentration, plus we are talking about wash off product). I am surprised to see the list doesn't feature fragrance, because the scent is definitely artificial to me (I guess that sucralose plus grapefruit oil give that scent). 

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polysorbate-80, Polysorbate-20, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Pomelo Grapefruit) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Sucralose.

Excellent (only beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial, not extensive research or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (irritants and anything bad that shouldn't be in skincare, usually fragrance)

 

Pure Argan Oil

 

There is not much to say about it. It is a good plant oil. Feels very silky. But there are no miracle properties in it that make it better for the skin then say rosehip oil or almond oil. So here you should not splurge. If you really want to use argan oil, there are plenty of other brands (Aura Cacia, Now foods for example) that sell it for less. Brown glass bottle is a good choice for the packaging. There is only one ingredient on the label: argan kernel oil.

Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47

 

This moisturiser features physical sunscreen with very high protection, which is good news for people with sensitive skin (since physical sunscreen is more gentle than chemical). I didn't notice white cast on my skin (though I am very pale, so it may not be that noticeable). This is a very liquidy fast absorbing lotion and it doesn't leave any unpleasant sticky feeling. I would say it would suit best people with slightly dry to combination skin types. It is not super emollient (though it features few plant oils), but it is not dry/matt finish either. Some problems may arise for people with acne prone skin, since it features several silicons and beeswax (they are occlusive on the skin, especially beeswax). Except light fragrance this formulation doesn't contain any irritants. I am inclined to give this moisturiser the highest grade, if I would treat it as a sunscreen only. My believe is that any daytime moisturiser should contain an array of antioxidants which are a second barrier from sun's harmful rays. Argan Daily Moisturiser is lacking in that department (green tea extract and vitamin E are featured only after preservative). If you layer antioxidant rich serum underneath, it would solve the problem. Overall it is a good option, if you are looking for mineral sunscreen. I find that there are a lot of good options of chemical sunscreens on the market in different price ranges, but not so much for good high protection physical sunscreens (Josie Maran's being one of the best ones actually). Grass brown pump bottle is a good choice for keeping formulation stable.

Ingredients:

Actives: Zinc Oxide 6.4%, Titanium Dioxide 5.1%

Inactives: Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Methicone, Alumina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Parfum, Bisabolol, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Laureth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

Verdict: 

 

If I would rate these products separately, I would probably take off some points, but since I am rating the set, I highly recommend it.

5 out of 5.