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Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Balm
Josie Maran Cosmetics

Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Balm

Efficacy25/100IrritancyLow
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Works for

1 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Moisturizing
Sodium hyaluronate, Squalane + 14 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“A multi-tasking, portable balm that helps deliver instant hydration and resurfacing power to dry spots on face, under eyes and body for a nourishing burst of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.”
Source: Josie Maran

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: fructose, glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, argania spinosa kernel oil.

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.25%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn 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.~4.9–7.4%
SucroseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion~0.45–1.05%
TriheptanoinKey activeEffect: HighA synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~3.9–5.8%
Cannabis sativa seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer~0.6–1.35%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.35–0.85%
Glyceryl glucosideKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer~0.15–0.6%
FructoseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.4–1%
Argania spinosa kernel oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~23–34%
Glycine soja oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~0.5–1.15%
Brassica campestris seed oilKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.5–1.15%
C10-18 triglyceridesKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture~3.1–4.6%
GlucoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.35–0.85%
Glyceryl linolenateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.7%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.15–0.65%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.5–1.15%
Anti-aging
Tocopherol
Weak evidence
What the product description says
“The 100% Argan Oil-based formula works to help rehydrate dry, tired-looking skin, smooth fine lines with gentle lactic acid, and restore a healthy, radiant glow on the go.”
Source: Josie Maran

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.5–1.15%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
No evidence
What the product description says
“A multi-tasking, portable balm that helps deliver instant hydration and resurfacing power to dry spots on face, under eyes and body for a nourishing burst of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.”
Source: Josie Maran

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 6 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~1.3–2%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~23–34%est.
Cannabis sativa seed oilA plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layerMedium~0.6–1.35%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~0.5–1.15%est.
Glyceryl linoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~0.5–1.15%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Argania spinosa kernel oil~23–34%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Squalane~4.9–7.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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.

More about Squalane
Oryza sativa bran wax~4.4–6.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Oryza sativa bran wax
Triheptanoin~3.9–5.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Triheptanoin
C10-18 triglycerides~3.1–4.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture

More about C10-18 triglycerides
Pseudozyma epicola/olive fruit oil ferment filtrate~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Pseudozyma epicola/olive fruit oil ferment filtrate
C13-15 alkane~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients in the formula

More about C13-15 alkane
Glyceryl oleate~1.3–2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Oleyl lactate~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Oleyl lactate
Octyldodecyl pca~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Octyldodecyl pca
Sodium hyaluronate~0.85–1.25%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Opuntia ficus-indica flower extract~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Opuntia ficus-indica flower extract
Cannabis sativa seed oil~0.6–1.35%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer

More about Cannabis sativa seed oil
Brassica campestris seed oil~0.5–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Brassica campestris seed oil
Tocopherol~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

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

More about Tocopherol
Glycine soja oil~0.5–1.15%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Sucrose~0.45–1.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion

More about Sucrose
Fructose~0.4–1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructose
Glucose~0.35–0.85%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose
Glycerin~0.35–0.85%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Glyceryl linoleate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Glyceryl linoleate
Palmitate
Not recognized
Glyceryl glucoside~0.15–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer

More about Glyceryl glucoside
Glyceryl linolenate~0.2–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Glyceryl linolenate
Water~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glyceryl stearate~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredient list view

Argania spinosa kernel oil, Squalane, Oryza sativa bran wax, Triheptanoin, C10-18 triglycerides, Pseudozyma epicola/olive fruit oil ferment filtrate, C13-15 alkane, Glyceryl oleate, Oleyl lactate, Octyldodecyl pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Brassica campestris seed oil, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose, Glycerin, Glyceryl linoleate, Unknown, Glyceryl glucoside, Glyceryl linolenate, Water, Glyceryl stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Contact Sensitization to Emulsifying Agents: An Underrated Issue?journals.lww.com
  3. 3
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
  5. 5
    Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil: Analytical and phytochemical characterization of unsaponifiable fractionpubs.acs.org
  6. 6
    Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a Resource for Green Cosmeticstandfonline.com
Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Balm
Josie Maran CosmeticsArgan Balm
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