The warm, almost summer-like weather over on the East Coast has got me wearing shorts almost everyday now. But what is to be done about those ghostly white legs? I figured it was time to give them a boost, so I grabbed my latest tanning discovery – Josie Maran’s Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil. Here are my thoughts, review, and results after using it for a week!
Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil
Josie Maran’s Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil is a bit different from the average self-tanner. First off, it’s formulated with naturally-derived DHA, which doesn’t penetrate the deeper levels of your skin and absorb into your bloodstream like synthetic DHA, making it a lot safer.
Another difference is that the Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil is infused with skin-loving ingredients like Josie Maran’s argan oil and argan oil ‘light’ formulas, as well as aloe juice and coconut water. These all help to enhance the glow by keeping skin nourished and moisturized.
For the most part, the Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil’s ingredients list is natural and organic, however it’s not 100% natural or organic, nor 100% safe. The one ingredient I’m a bit leery about is Sodium Benzoate, a preservative that could potentially cause cell damage and result in an increased production of free radicals in our bodies. Fortunately, it is found towards the bottom of the ingredients list, meaning there’s a relatively small amount in the formula. But even still, I’d prefer to use a self-tanner without it.
Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water)** (and) Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract*, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dihydroxyacetone**, Argan Oil Isostearyl Esters**, Glycerin**, Caramel Color**, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract**, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil**, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract**.
*Organic **Natural
The Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil is also vegan & cruelty free.
How to Apply
Josie Maran’s Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil applies like your average mousse or lotion self-tanner. The only difference is you need to shake up the bottle both before and during the application process, to make sure you get an even distribution of the tanning ingredients (DHA), water, argan oils, etcs when you go to apply it.
Once you’ve poured a small amount onto the mitt (which comes with the tanning oil), you wait for it to absorb, then apply in circular motions over you body, one section at a time.
As with most self-tanners, they recommend waiting at least 8 hours before showering/bathing or exercising (i.e. sweating) to allow the color to develop. And in the meantime, they suggest wearing dark, loose-fitting clothing right after applying to help prevent the color from rubbing off on your clothing and creating patches of uneven color on your skin.
Review & Results
For my initial ‘test’ period, I applied the Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil on just the one leg so I could compare it side-by-side with my other leg.
For my first application, I applied three layers of the tanning oil, each time pouring about 10 drops onto the mitt, smoothing the oil over my legs, and then waiting about a minute or so for it to dry. Even with the three layers, my initial results were very subtle after waiting 8-10 hours for it to develop.
I continued this same process two more times over the course of the week. Here are my results after a total of three applications over 7 days…
Left: Bare leg, Right: Results after three applications
Left: Bare leg, Right: Results after three applications
Overall, I’m very happy with the results. The tanning oil creates a very natural-looking glow with absolutely no streaking. I did notice a bit of patchiness around the driest areas of my knee, but that’s to be expected with any self-tanner (and why they all recommend exfoliating beforehand).
The color development, however, is slower than my long-time favorite self-tanner by St. Tropez (which by the way, also uses naturally-derived DHA, but is formulated without Sodium Benzoate). Though, on the flip side, because Josie Maran’s tanner builds so gradually, it almost completely eliminates the possibility of streaking or uneven color. Not to mention, I do love the added moisturizers and argan oil in Josie’s formula. They make my legs feel super soft for the entire rest of the day, while also adding a healthy sheen.
Final Thoughts
Josie Maran’s new self-tanner provides 100% natural-looking, streak-free color through an effortless and foolproof application. What sets it apart from other self-tanners is the addition of moisturizing ingredients, including Josie Maran’s popular argan oil. Ultimately best for those who want to create a healthy, glowy sheen initially, and then gradually enhance their natural skin color over several applications.
Available at Sephora, QVC, JCPenney, & Amazon
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Have you tried the Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil? What’s your favorite self-tanner?
