PRODUCTS I LOVE: JOSIE MARAN SKIN DOPE CLEAN FACIAL SKINCARE WITH CBD
OH EM GEE. I finally got out of the City yesterday for the first time in more than two months! I was really starting to feel like I wasn’t mentally okay; was really feeling the strain. Things started getting a bit dark for me.
As much as I’ve enjoyed teaching myself how to bake, it just hasn’t nourished me enough. I need human contact! That’s not to say that I’ve stopped baking.
Au contraire!
Over the past week, I mastered “yeastless” pizza dough (yeast triggers a migraine in me), made my first-ever apple cobbler — and baked bangin’ oatmeal coconut cookies. Sure, Orpheus and baking have kept me sane. But…
Things are finally beginning to feel safe, and the City is coming back to life — albeit ever so slowly. So, I donned my mask, my gloves, grabbed my hand sanitizer, and escaped to Connecticut for the day to be with my mother.
It was a surreal experience. Even more surreal than I expected it to be. I’ve taken the two-hour journey home hundreds of times and that damn train is always packed. If there isn’t someone sitting directly across from me knocking my knees and another right up against my side, it’s a mini miracle. It never happens.
This trip, there was nary a soul in my train car when we pulled out of Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan. Just me and a ziploc bag of oatmeal coconut cookies for mom!
By the time the train arrived in New Haven, my birthplace, there were maybe half a dozen people in my train car — which normally seats upwards of 100 passengers. Surreal indeed! I’m grateful that the governors of both states kept the trains running even though they were virtually empty. 🙏🏼
My mother knows Connecticut-style lobster rolls are my favorite and she had two of them ready for me when I arrived. What’s a Connecticut lobster roll? Fresh lobster and minimal seasoning on a toasted, buttered hot dog bun! It reminds me of my childhood and a ferry trip to Block Island just off the Connecticut shoreline. Maybe that was my first lobster roll. I must have been ten or twelve years old. I never forgot it.
In fact, that bit of mental nourishment wasn’t enough. I’m headed back up on Thursday. I gotta do what I gotta do to keep from falling into an apocalypse abyss, right?
Of course, I’ve kept up with my morning yoga (even on Sundays!) and Deepak Chopra’s 21-day meditation challenge. We’re on day 18 as I write this. What will I do without Deepak’s soothing voice and soft bell? Interestingly, whilst dusting the shelves in the bedroom the other day, I stumbled upon my ages-old, sun-warped copy of his famous book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams.
That’s how I knew the Universe was still there, working its magic…
“This moment is as it should be.”
- Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Josie Maran Skin Dope Collection
Speaking of nourishment. I recently reviewed the new Josie Maran “Skin Dope” collection of CBD facial skin care on my IG page here. At the time, I had just being using the brand’s Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer and was beginning to see results. I’m super into CBD facial skincare and was more than a little tickled by the three-product range.
Josie sent me this hilarious pineapple and shades for the launch of the new Pineapple Enzyme Pore Clearing Cleanser.
Josie Maran isn’t known for using CBD in skincare for the face. Rather, Josie Maran is known for popularizing Argan Oil in facial skincare. Josie’s namesake brand was the first to make a really big deal of Argan Oil — in fact, I’d say she put argan on the map.
My first experience with Josie Maran was the silky, lightweight Pure Argan Milk several years ago. To this day, it has one of the most unique textures — one that I’ve rarely come across anywhere in the 87,000 products I’ve experimented with over my long career in beauty.
So, I was super excited to try Josie’s new CBD-infused Skin Dope collection. As a copywriter, I’m almost ashamed that I didn’t think of that name for a skincare product myself first! Josie and her team beat me to it and I’m gutted –– as the Brits on The Great British Baking Show always say when their pies are exposed with a “soggy bottom.” That’s every baker’s nightmare!
The Skin Dope collection comprises three products currently –– Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD, Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer and Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter.
What’s the deal with Cannabidiol in skincare? Of course, I turned to the trusted experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team to see what they have to say about CBD in facial skincare:
“Cannabidiol has been shown to offer numerous benefits related to calming skin. Skin has specific receptor sites for cannabinoids (referred to as its endocannabinoid system). It seems CBD can “talk” to these receptor sites on skin, sending unique signals to stop firing the wrong messages, which in turn leads to healthier, better-looking skin. This benefit makes cannabidiol an intriguing ingredient for interrupting the progression of damage within skin’s uppermost layers that can lead to visible problems; however, more research needs to be done to gain a greater understanding of how CBD works on skin.
Research has also shown, though isn’t entirely clear on how this works, that CBD seems to visibly reduce oily skin. It’s also a very good antioxidant, on par with vitamins C and E.”
There’s a fantastic article about CBD in skin care in the Skincare Advice section on the Paula’s Choice website titled, CBD Oil's Benefits for Skin: Can it Help With Acne, Anti-Aging, & Other Skin Issues?
With that, let’s take a look at what’s up with Josie’s three Skin Dope products…
Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD
What is with me and facial oils? I sooooo didn’t appreciate a good facial oil until I started copywriting on the Australian brand Jurlique back in 2008. (Psst…I named the Purely Age Defying products!)
Jurlique had just launched their Skin Balancing Face Oil and I thought isn’t that gonna just break me out? Facial Oils are for old ladies!
So I tried it. And it didn’t break me out. And I’m not an old lady — even now. But it took me many, many years to understand that moisture in the form of oils — especially non-fragrant plant oils — is essential to skin health. Then came Josie Maran’s original 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil. That felt just as pampering and pro-skin health. And that’s how my love affair with facial oils began to blossom.
Fast forward to today and I’ve written entire blog articles about facial oils for skin, including a recent piece on the best facial oils entitled, My Favorite Facial Oils for Combatting Cold Weather.
I think of Josie’s Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD as her original Pure Argan Oil on steroids. And just as that original, which literally has a single ingredient (pure Argan Oil!), the upgrade has a rather tight ingredient list.
The Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD is comprised of just two ingredients — organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil and CBD-rich Hemp Extract. It’s a richer oil, though not quite as rich as, say, Herbivore’s Phoenix Cell Regenerating Facial Oil. It’s a rather wet oil with a deliciously spicy, savory aroma that actually makes my mouth water.
Yes, I said that! The Josie Maran Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD facial oil is mouth-watering!
It’s a smart blend of two superb oils for the skin. Argan Oil is, according to Josie, “nature's richest source of omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids” — all of which deeply nourish the skin. While the Cannabidiol helps to soothe, calm and reboot skin.
Because it’s not a lightweight facial oil, I wouldn’t want to experiment with it on acne prone skin, even though CBD can work wonders on overactive, oily skin. For everyone else, it’s a wonderful option.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD facial oil for $78 here.
**EXCLUSIVE SKINCARMA GIVEAWAY**
ENTER BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ALL THREE OF THE JOSIE MARAN SKIN DOPE PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THE BLOG…AND TRY THEM FOR YOURSELF!
Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer
The real stand-out in the Skin Dope collection is the CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer. I have to say, I was appreciative of its extraordinarily rich texture when I first opened the lid, but was leery of that texture at the same time. I thought it would be too much for this time of year — when temps hover in the low- to mid-sixties at night here in New York City.
I was wrong — and pleasantly so.
Josie Maran’s CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer is a clean, rich cream powered by a blend of superb non-fragrant plant oils — some of them really unique in skin care. Of course, Josie included her signature pure Argan Oil in addition to the similar amount of Cannabidiol (100mg) found in the aforementioned Skin Dope facial oil.
But wait, there’s more! There just had to be more. And it had to be intriguing or it wouldn’t have caught my attention. Orpheus isn’t the only curious cat in the place ya know.
Right there at ingredient number four is something called Solanum Tuberosum — something I have never, in all my days, seen in a skincare INCI. What is Solanum Tuberosum? Potatoes! Well, more like Potato Pulp Extract to be exact. It’s used as a thickener and texture enhancer in skin care. I feel like I solved the mystery of the magnificent, otherworldly texture.
Add to the Potato Pulp Extract both Cucumber Fruit Water and Watermelon Seed Oil. As I pored over the INCI, I wondered if I were in a fresh juice shop. Nope, I was at the bathroom sink quarantined in my Brooklyn apartment!
By my count there are about a dozen replenishing plant oils in the formula. But what I find most unique — and classic Josie Maran — is that surprising texture. It has the consistency of a rich custard pudding! Unlike custard, it’s not the least bit sticky and actually feels like a velvet veil on the skin.
One night last week was the warmest night of the year, hovering around 72-73 degrees in the apartment so I really put it to the test. I wanted to know if such a rich moisturizer would feel uncomfortable on my skin. I’m happy to report it did not and I woke up fresh AF.
Over the course of the past month, the Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer has done wonders for my skin. My complexion looks and feels so in balance. I know it’s a result of the CBD.
I really can’t get over that potato pulp, though…
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Josie Maran Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer for $68 here.
**WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF JOSIE MARAN’S SKIN DOPE CLEAN FACIAL SKINCARE WITH CBD…ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**
Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter
I’m not a big fan of body products. Or hair products for that matter. And, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever find a Skincarma blog about face primers, either. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate them all the same — especially if they’re well formulated.
And the Josie Maran Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter is certainly well formulated! For me, it doesn’t hurt that it smells so wonderful I want to eat it. Spread a little bit of it on my toast in the morning. (For the record, I don’t generally eat toast!)
As delicious as it smells, I haven’t actually tasted it. But this baby is an extraordinary blend of replenishing oils and butters — something I believe Josie Maran is quite well known for.
There are so many non-fragrant plant oils, I can’t literally count them. I lost track and patience about halfway down the INCI. So I’ll guess there are about two dozen or so.
CBD-infused body products are still somewhat unique in my experience. And, like the others in the Skin Dope range, the CBD Body Butter contains 100mg of Cannabidiol. Of course, somewhere about midway down the INCI there’s Josie’s beloved Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil.
There’s Coconut Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil and Apple Fruit Extract — all at relatively high levels somewhere between three and five percent, I’d say.
Josie says, “This silky, indulgent body cream helps provide lasting relief to uncomfortable skin while aiding in visibly smoothing its tone and texture. It’s an ideal solution to help soothe razor burns or bumps. Josie’s CBD is non-psychoactive and sun grown in the USA in small batches.”
The stuff is just exquisite and supremely pampering. If you’re a body cream fanatic, you can’t go wrong with the CBD Body Butter. And the fact that it’s powered by irritation soothing CBD, takes it to a whole new level. I can imagine this being a wonderfully soothing treat after shaving your legs, if you’re so inclined.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Josie Maran Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter for $58 here.
This was fun! I’ve long been a fan of Josie Maran and have loved exploring the new Skin Dope collection. Really good stuff. I’m crazy jealous I didn’t come up with that name myself.
Now, it’s back to my meditation exercises…
🖤 SKINCARMA
SKINCARMA….
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win all three products in the Josie Maran Skin Dope collection featured on the blog — including the Skin Dope CBD facial oil, facial moisturizer with CBD, and CBD body cream. ($204 value) Plus, get Josie’s cool summer shades as a bonus (they’re priceless!).
Share why you want to win in the comments below. Then, return to IG, follow Josie Maran then go to the Skincarma IG page and comment “Done”. Giveaway ends Sunday 05/24/2020.
**WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF JOSIE MARAN’S SKIN DOPE CLEAN FACIAL SKINCARE WITH CBD…ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**
The Ingredient List of the Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD:
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, CBD Rich Hemp Extract**. *Organic. **Naturally-Derived.
The Ingredient List of the Skin Dope 100mg CBD Recovery Face Moisturizer:
Water/Aqua/Eau**, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride**, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin**, Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Pulp Extract**, Diisooctyl Succinate, Squalane**, Beeswax/Cera Alba/Cire d'abeille**, C12-16 Alcohols, C14-22 Alcohols, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables**, Palmitic Acid**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Isopentyldiol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil**, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water**, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Hydrolyzed Furcellaran**, Cannabis Sativa (Hempseed) Seed Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-4**, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice**, Ethylhexylglycerin, Symphytum.
The Ingredient List of the Skin Dope 100mg CBD Body Butter:
Water/Aqua/Eau**, Isopropyl Palmitate**, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride**, Glyceryl Stearate**, Cetearyl Alcohol**, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Cocoglycerides**, Glycerin**, Lauryl Laurate**, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Myristyl Myristate**, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Bentonite**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cera Carnauba/Cire de carnauba**, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Behenyl Alcohol**, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate**, Lecithin**, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract**, Cannabis Sativa (Hempseed) Seed Oil*, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate**, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil**, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil**, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice**, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Coumarin, Limonene. *Organic. **Natural-derived.
Orpheus doesn’t understand why I’m on the floor.
