Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 5
Key actives
Product Summary
"Josie Maran - Argan Beta Retinol Pink Algae Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Josie Maran" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 91.00CA$ in Canada and for 48.30$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (quercetin) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
, Organic Argan Oil Creates a hydrating barrier on the skin with vitamin E, antioxidants, and firming essential fatty acids—it's also a natural source of quercetin.
Source: Sephora
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cocos nucifera oil, squalane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
A green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
What it is A clean, revolutionary pro-retinol serum derived from pink algae that is shown to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles—without the harsh side effects.
Source: Sephora
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
This ingredient quercetin might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Powerful pro-retinol from pink algae and quercetin work together to improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and dark spots while being gentle and kind to skin.
Source: Sephora
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 41/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
User reviews (1)
Averages from community submissions.
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Josie Maran Argan Beta Retinol Pink Algae Serum | Current | $48.30 | |
 Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Beta-Retinoid Pink Algae Serum | 51% | $69.00 |
Key Actives
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Potential irritants
A babchi plant seed extract. It is the source for the skincare active Bakuchiol, but it can also contain furocoumarins (psoralen, angelicin) that are phototoxic. We strongly recommend avoiding this extract in the product and use products with pure Bakuchiol instead.
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
An emollient that helps soften the skin
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Comedogenic ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the skin
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
All ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
A babchi plant seed extract. It is the source for the skincare active Bakuchiol, but it can also contain furocoumarins (psoralen, angelicin) that are phototoxic. We strongly recommend avoiding this extract in the product and use products with pure Bakuchiol instead.
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
A green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Ingredient list view
Argania spinosa kernel oil, Coconut alkanes, Oleyl lactate, Octyldodecyl pca, Dimethyl isosorbide, Isosorbide disunflowerseedate, Squalane, Isostearyl lactate, Glyceryl linoleate, Psoralea corylifolia seed extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Eclipta prostrata extract, Cocos nucifera oil, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glyceryl oleate, Quercus suber bark extract, Glyceryl palmitate, Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Glyceryl linolenate, Glyceryl stearate, Oak root extract, Lecithin, Palmitic acid, Dunaliella salina extract, Crithmum maritimum extract, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Quercetin, Water, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil
- Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis
- Activity enhancement of ferulic acid with dimethyl isosorbride in cosmetic compositions
- Babchi oil-induced phytophotodermatitis mimicking burn injury
- Potent Antioxidative and UVB Protective Effect of Water Extract of Eclipta prostrata L.
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Contact Sensitization to Emulsifying Agents: An Underrated Issue?
- Melia azedarach
- Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overview
- Dunaliella salina alga extract inhibits the production of interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species by regulating nuclear factor-κB/Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription in virus-infected RAW264.7 cells
- Biochemical composition and bioactivity screening of various extracts from Dunaliella salina, a green microalga
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributes
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health
- Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health