argan oil

Review – Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

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Oils have been little bottles of moisturizing power in my arsenal for a few years now, but I never really thought much about them until the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil made it into my cabinet about a year ago. Harsh winter winds and weather often need more than a moisturizer to save the sensitive skin of your face, but I always found oils to be…well, oily. I would go to bed thinking I’d slide right off my pillow or get a big’ol grease stain on the bed so I avoided most oils with a 10ft pole. Yet after trying this wonderful bottle of Argan Oil I realized the full benefits and moisturizing potential of facial oils.

Argan Oil was a long-kept cosmetic secret; a 100% pure and organic, chemical free oil originating from Morocco. The oil is extracted from a nut grown in hot arid climates and is full of vitamin E and fatty acids, which are combined to create amazing healing properties. The oil is great for your skin, hair, nails and is even a great natural remedy for nappy rash! The oil is amazing on the skin to protect from that harsh winter weather and give that extra boost of moisture needed. It slides on smooth and not too greasy, and sinks in fast. That’s the important part to me; no greasy oil-face after heading to bed. Smooth it on and it’s dry before you’re finished the rest of your bedtime rituals. It’s gentle enough for an everyday moisturizer, but also strong enough to help any rashes, eczema and other skin ailments as well. I’m so glad I added a few drops of this into my nightly routine to seal in my protective serums and moisturize my face for the Canadian winter. That’s all you need, just a few drops! This is why I love the Josie Maran Argan Oil.

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Evening Skincare Routine

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It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my evening skincare routine, and admittedly it’s been awhile since I’ve been strict and diligent about it. But after this brutal winter, and a recent sunburn I knew it was time to get back to it. I’m turning over a new leaf and trying my best to take care of my skin. So here is my updated evening routine:

1. Makeup Remover: For makeup removing I’ve been loving The Body Shop’s Camomile Gentle Eye Make-up Remover. It’s formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin. My skin isn’t super sensitive but I’m always really careful around my eyes, and this gentle formula works really well. And it’s not oily, like a lot of other makeup removers out there that leave oily residue around my eyes that I feel the need to scrub off afterwards. It has a really relaxing light and fresh scent too. It’s always really important to remove your makeup. Please don’t forget.

2. Cleanse: I’ve been using two different cleanser lately. The first is Olay Foaming Face Wash for sensitive skin. I actually picked this one up by mistake thinking it was the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (which I love), but this one has been really great too. I’m not very picky about the brand that I use with my everyday cleanser, but I need it to be a foaming/sudsy cleanser in order to feel like I properly cleansed my face. When I’m travelling I always opt for a more travel-friendly package and for that I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Cream Cleanser. I know that I’ve been going on and on about the Vitamin E line, and this one is no exception. This one is super easy, no water necessary. Just smooth it on and remove it with cotton pads. Like all other Vitamin E products it leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft.

3. Exfoliate: For those days that I’ve been exfoliating (about 2-3 times a week) I’ve been using the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. The oil-free formula actually helps clear breakouts and refreshes the skin. It feels great!! It’s important to exfoliate to remove impurities and dry/dead skin from your face, but make sure not to do it too often or you will damage the skin that is healthy. The great thing about St. Ives is that it’s hypoallergenic and formulated without parabens.

4. Tone: I always think that toning is an important step for daily skin care. For years I’ve been using Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2. It helps remove any dirt and greasy oils that the cleanser may have missed (although with the right cleanser that shouldn’t be a problem) and over time it helps revitalize skin’s natural renewal process. So skin looks healthy and renewed.

5. Moisturize: And of course the final, and most important step is to moisturize your face. I’ve been using Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel for years and I’ll probably never change it. But some days I also use a small amount of Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil for a deep and intense moisturizer. I’ve also been pretty strict lately when it comes to focusing on my eyes. I’m finding that the skin under my eyes is looking more and more worn and tired looking, so I use either Roc Hydra+ Anti-Fatigue or Origins GinZing Eye Cream, which has recently become a non-negotiable staple in my evening skincare routine. Once in a while, for that final spritz of moisture, I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Face Mist  for an instantly refreshing moisture boost.

There are a ton of skincare products out there that I really want to try. So I will probably be mixing this up again soon. Of course I refuse to change up the good ones that have never steered my wrong such as the Clinique Clarifying Lotion, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, and the Origins GinZing Eye Cream. What evening skincare products do you love? Any good suggestions for a mask?