Josie Maran's Skin-Care Collection Gets a Modern Makeover

Josie Maran
Josie Maran
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In the beauty world, brands are constantly tracking trends and trying to scale. The goal is always to go viral or claim "cult-status." But for Josie Maran, the goal of her namesake brand has always been about nontoxic ingredients and sustainability — even before sustainability became a buzz word. It all started in 2007 when Maran launched her ethically sourced 100% Pure Argan Oil; since then the company has grown leaps and bounds in an industry obsessed with "clean beauty". Now, the beauty mogul is rebranding her beloved skin-care collection to make an even bigger impact.

The change started in February with the brand's three bestselling products: the 100% Pure Argan Oil, the Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, and the Argan Oil Sugar Balm Body Scrub. Each one got an entirely new look and feel, going from plastic to glass packaging and getting a new refill system that's more environmentally (and user) friendly. "The whole goal was to reduce waste and plastic; get plastic out of here as much as possible," Maran says. "And if we're going to use any plastic, it's PCR. It's about reusing, upcycling all that 8 billion leftover plastic waste in the landfills."

Still, just because the products are more sustainable doesn't mean they can't also be sexy. "The whole goal is to make refilling easy and enjoyable and cool and fun and just normal, natural. If you can't make it luxurious and something someone's actually going to want to use every day, it's going to fall flat."

Then, in August, Josie Maran unveiled her latest extension of the brand overhaul in the facial-care category. Among them: two face cleansers (one gel, one oil), one moisturizer, and a sunscreen. A rep for the brand tells PS there is more to come, so it sounds like these changes are only the beginning.

After 16 years in the industry, you might be wondering: why now? Maran says the motivation for this shift started three years ago. "I started to think, Why am I doing this? What are my values today?" At the end of the day, she determined she wanted to double-down on her original mission of eco-beauty, "but I wanted to go to the next level with sustainability and really help move the needle in the beauty industry toward more sustainable ways."

Keep scrolling to learn more about each reimagined product and shop the new Josie Maran collection.

— Additional reporting by Kelsey Castañon

Josie Maran's New Argan Oil
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Josie Maran's New Argan Oil

Josie Maran The Original 100% Pure Argan Oil ($39)

Don't worry, your favorite argan oil isn's going anywhere; in fact, it's only getting better. "There's nothing in the bottle except for 100 percent organic argan oil, but we evolved the formula so that it's more lightweight," Maran says, adding that this is due to a new sourcing and cold-pressing system of the ingredient itself.

What won't be changing is the signature amber bottle, although it will be getting a sleeker look and red dropper top. The amber packaging is important because it protects the argan oil from UV rays. Just warm two to four drops between your hands before applying to your face as a moisturizer. It can also be used as cuticle oil, hair serum, or an under-eye treatment.

Perhaps the cutest addition is the Josie Maran The Original 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil Refill ($76). It comes in an aluminum tin (inspired by the olive oil tins you might find abroad during your travels), which holds three refills for your amber bottle and is 100 percent recyclable.

Josie Maran's New Cleansers
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Josie Maran's New Cleansers

Josie Maran Pineapple Enzyme Foaming Gel Cleanser ($31)

Any fan of the brand knows the power of its Argan Pineapple Pore Enzyme Cleanser, only its new and reimagined look is looking a little less yellow and more in line with the rest of the fresh Josie Maran aesthetic (amber bottle, made from 100 percent recycled materials, and all). Another box checked in the sustainability department: the featured pineapple enzymes — known to dissolve dirt and grime off the surface of skin — is taken from unused pineapples from the juice industry and upcycled for this very purpose.

If you prefer an oil-based face wash, you can also scoop up the newly packaged Josie Maran Argan Melt Away Cleansing Oil ($38), which contains the same formula as the original — only in a better outfit.

Josie Maran's New Face Moisturizer
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Josie Maran's New Face Moisturizer

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter ($48)

If you love the Josie Maran Whipped Body Butter (more on that later), but you don't want to apply it to your visage, consider this face moisturizer the skin-care equivalent. Starring argan oil as the key ingredient, this luxurious facial butter also features heavy hitting hydrators shea butter and squalane in a light, airy cream. "I'm serious about what you are putting on your large organ every day," Maran says. "Make sure it's good for you."

On days you want a little layer of protection against harmful UV rays (so . . . every day), the brand also repackaged its Josie Maran Argan Sun Milk Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 33 ($46).

Josie Maran's New Whipped Body Butter
sephora.com

Josie Maran's New Whipped Body Butter

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter ($36)

Another fan favorite product that isn't going anywhere is the Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter. (No, seriously, one is sold every 14 seconds, according to the brand.) It features argan oil, of course, but also shea butter, avocado oil, and white and green tea extracts — all whipped together to create a rich, yet easy to blend cream.

While the texture and formula will remain the same, the brand is introducing three new, 100 percent plant-based fragrances you can choose from, in addition to an unscented version, when refilling your amber glass jar of Whipped Body Butter. First, there's the Bohemian Fig ($62), an earthy, woody scent that Maran describes as the most "cozy, delicious" fragrance of the bunch. Then there's Topless Tangerine ($62), which is somehow both citrusy and mellow, as well as Vanilla Vibezzz ($62), inspired by the homemade ice cream Maran's mom would make for her growing up. For anyone fragrance averse (listen, Maran gets it), you can opt for the Always Nude Refill ($62).

Josie Maran's New Argan Oil Body Scrub
sephora.com

Josie Maran's New Argan Oil Body Scrub

Josie Maran Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub ($29)

And finally, there's the brand's Argan Oil and Sugar Balm Body Scrub, which Maran refers to as "our little game-changer." She explains that she uses sugar instead of salt to draw moisture to the skin instead of drying it out, like many exfoliators can. "We're just one sugar scrub away from new, baby-bum fresh skin," she adds.

The hydrating body scrub comes in the brand's new signature amber pot and comes in the three 100 percent plant-based fragrances — including Bohemian Fig Refill ($49), Topless Tangerine Refill ($49), and Vanilla Vibezzz Refill ($49) — as well as the unscented version, Always Nude Refill ($49), for sensitive skin.


Amanda Elser Murray is the former director of branded content at Vox Media, where she oversaw style, fashion, beauty, and home decor content on behalf of Vox Media clients. As a mother of two, she contributed parenting content across brand portfolios. She has more than 10 years of experience in the print and digital world, having worked in the editorial departments at Seventeen, The Knot, and People Stylewatch.



Kelsey Castañon is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 13 years of experience in publishing. She is currently the senior content director at POPSUGAR, where you can find her stockpiling (and reporting on) everything from skin care to wine. Previously, she's worked with the brilliant minds at Refinery29, Seventeen, Shape, Allure, and Teen Vogue, and has appeared on TV segments on "The Dr. Oz Show," Cheddar News, and "Good Morning America."