Josie Maran Micro Milk Activator Accelerated Renewal Drops
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Argania spinosa kernel oil + 17 moreWorks well
“• Deeply hydrates and plumps skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
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:
glycerin, lactobacillus ferment.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, argania spinosa kernel oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Kojic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“• Brightens and smooths skin’s tone and texture with effective brightening agents like niacinamide and kojic acid.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: kojic acid, niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
“Introducing an advanced micro-serum designed to level-up the anti-aging benefits of any skincare ritual, delivering brighter, smoother, more radiant skin—and fast.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationLactic acidNot delivered
“Now we’re supercharging Argan Milk with potent anti-agers including the antioxidant niacinamide, exfoliating lactic acid, and luminosity-boosting kojic acid.”
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Octadecenedioic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Kojic acid, Argania spinosa kernel oil + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy15 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Argania spinosa kernel oil~6.3–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilGlycerin~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePolyglyceryl-10 oleate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 oleateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideKojic acid~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidCoconut alkanes~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesCandelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Help oil and water mix together
More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersPropanediol~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAnanas sativus fruit extract~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
More about Ananas sativus fruit extractPterocarpus marsupium bark extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactobacillus ferment~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentTocopherol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolOctadecenedioic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Might help suppress growth of acne-triggering bacteria in skin
More about Octadecenedioic acidCitric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLactic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPhosphatidylglycerol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might help reduce inflammation and support the barrier function. This compound is naturally present in animal and plant tissue
More about PhosphatidylglycerolPentylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSorbitan stearate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateGlyceryl undecylenate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and helps preserve the product formulation
More about Glyceryl undecylenateCetearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCetyl palmitate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateSaccharide isomerate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSorbitan palmitate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and stabilize the product formulation
More about Sorbitan palmitateGlyceryl caprylate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateSorbitan oleate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Sodium citrate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium carbonate~0.15–0.3%
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCellulose gum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumPhenethyl alcohol~0.05–0.1%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-10 oleate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Kojic acid, Coconut alkanes, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Propanediol, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract, Lactobacillus ferment, Tocopherol, Octadecenedioic acid, Citric acid, Lactic acid, Phosphatidylglycerol, Pentylene glycol, Sorbitan stearate, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Glyceryl undecylenate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl palmitate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Saccharide isomerate, Xanthan gum, Sorbitan palmitate, Glyceryl caprylate, Sorbitan oleate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium citrate, Sodium carbonate, Sodium chloride, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Cellulose gum, Phenethyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Josie MaranMicro Milk Activator Accelerated Renewal DropsYOUR PRODUCT | It CosmeticsBye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Acne Serum | CreamySérum renovador hidratante com ácido lático | NaturiumVegan Lactic Acid Emulsion 5% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 82% | 81% |
| Price | — | $36.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Bisabolol | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Kri Skincare Illume Niacinamide SerumEnviron Focus Care Radiance+ Vita-Botanical Mela-Fade Serum System
Product summary
"Josie Maran - Micro Milk Activator Accelerated Renewal Drops" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.00% - 3.70%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (saccharide isomerate 0.20% - 0.35%, lactobacillus ferment 0.45% - 0.65% and glycerin 4.00% - 4.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Josie Maran" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 59.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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