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ARK Skincare has been on my radar for some time, from samples within the odd beauty box and rave reviews from friends, it's been the last six months that I've really delved into the brand. Made in Britain and stocked in numerous spas nationwide, ARK Skincare creates beautiful cruelty-free and vegan skincare suitable for all ages and most importantly - it works!
As a brand, they're inclusive and diverse something which is a breath of fresh air to see especially when it comes to their age-targeted ranges as they aim to empower and celebrate the age you are. The range consists of three key age-specific product lines - Protect for teens and twenties, Defend for your thirties and forties, and Defy for those over fifty.
Each range is supported by SkinPerfectors, a collection of highly effective targeted treatment products to treat any specific skin concerns you may have; and SkinEssential, a family of everyday products for all ages and lifestyles. The combination of selected products from each group provides you with a completely bespoke skincare programme.
ARK Skincare uses bioactive natural ingredients containing highly effective antioxidants, lipids and vitamins. They ensure all their formulations are free from Parabens, SLS, mineral oil, S.D. Alcohol, Formaldehyde and Artificial Colours and Fragrances. Sounds great right?
It's super easy to find your perfect match too - start by choosing your age-specific range cleanser and moisturiser followed by your treatment from the Skin Perfector range and lastly add in any products from the Skin Essentials range to fit in with your lifestyle et voilà!
As mentioned, over the last six months I've been using a handful of ARK Skincare products and I wanted to share five that have found themselves permanently on my skincare shelf...
I'm a sucker for rich, luxurious cleansers and this one is brilliant. The conditioning cleanser gently lifts away dirt and grime leaving your skin feeling clean, plump and radiant so this is perfect for anyone in their thirties or forties needing a nourishing cleanser for daily use. The cleanser is super soft to touch and melts into skin - it contains Omegas 6 & 9 to protect against moisture loss, Blue Lotus to keep skin supple while also acting as an anti-inflammatory as well as Moringa Oil for remove impurities and Vitamin A to protect the skin. Lastly, a dose of Kiwi and Passion Fruit Lipids quench the skin while Passion Fruit also helps reduce sensitivity and redness. The pump action bottle means you never use too much which is great for preventing waste - I really love it.
I'm a bit of a floozy when it comes to moisturisers - I currently have five on the go as sometimes my skin feels like it needs something different but I've found myself reaching for this little baby more and more. The replenishing moisturiser is lightweight, soft to touch and my skin laps it up. It's packed with hydrating and plumping ingredients perfect for your mid-years. Its key ingredient is Coenzyme Q10 a powerful antioxidant to really boost firmness and elasticity in the skin as well as Kiwi Fruit Oil and Passionfruit Seed Oil for plumper looking skin plus Blue Lotus to provide antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and protective properties. Its bottle design makes it super clean to use too so you're not always poking your fingers in a pot - it's a great moisturiser to switch to as you enter your thirties.
Hands up who loves ten minutes with a face mask? I love sneaking off for some alone time and this has been the hydration injection I needed. The luxury face mask helps to quench dry skin and restore vibrancy making it the ideal product to use in the winter months. It features a blend of Vitamin A, Vitamin B5, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to hydrate, smooth, brighten and soothe skin. There's also Hyaluronic Acid for extra moisture and Sugar Beet and Abyssinian Oil to nourish the skin leaving a luxurious, silky feel. It's pricey but it leaves my skin feeling so nourished after each use that it is absolutely worth it.
When it comes to my skincare routine, I always make sure I have an exfoliator or peel as there is nothing better than a good scrub to get rid of dead skin. This particular one gently removes dead skin cells, revealing a brighter and more luminous complexion. The exfoliator's triple effect power comes from three ingredients - Bamboo which is the physical exfoliator, AHA blend - the fruit acid exfoliator and a Skin Regenerating Enzyme which is the enzymatic exfoliator.
I like my exfoliators to be quite scrubby and the bamboo micro particles nail it perfectly to leave my skin beautifully soft. The mix of AHAs and Skin Regenerating Enzymes then help to diminish acne scars, reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve nutrient absorption. It's great for clearing skin but I do have one little gripe - it's quite tacky after use which I think is due to the Sugar Maple so I have to have a deep cleanse after use but I like the results enough to keep using it so I let the tackiness slide.
With the last year being spent wearing face masks, my skin has reacted much like everyone else's and broken out so I've had to implement a few more products into my routine to combat this. The Clearing Serum aims to banish bacteria, treat spots and mattifies skin without disrupting the skin's delicate moisture balance. Containing Margosa Leaf which draws out imperfections and Watercress, Nettle and Horsetail to regulate sebum production, it's the perfect serum for oily skin. It has really helped my skin while wearing masks and I've noticed a huge difference when I do - such a brilliant serum.
ARK Skincare is a really great brand to explore right now - whether you know your skin and want something different or if you're just starting out there really is a skincare plan for everyone. Perfect timing for happy skin.
You can shop all the ARK products I use via the links above or head directly to arkskincare.com.
