Beauty Product Reviews, Beauty, Body Care, Skincare
Little did I know when I went to visit ARK Skincare in the autumn 2019, that the brand would become a regular feature in my daily skincare routine. As I try many products during the year, a brand needs to really stand out for me to keep going back to it. This comprehensive and highly effective range has certainly done that.
Originally created for professional salon use, this proudly British brand does things a little differently. Instead of focussing on skin type, ARK formulates for the age you are, and the specific skin concern you have. The age intelligent ranges are split into Age Protect for your teens and 20s, Age Defend for 30s and 40s and Age Defy for those of us 50 and over. Think age positive, there is no anti-ageing message here, just solutions to help your skin age well.
In addition to these three age intelligent ranges, there is also the Skin Perfectors and Skin Essentials. These are the products that are either suitable for us all or to target specific skin concerns.
All ARK Skincare products are cruelty free and vegan friendly. They don’t contain parabens, lanolin, mineral oil, alcohol, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl ether sulphate, artificial fragrance or colours. The packaging is minimal but effective and they take sustainability seriously, much of the packaging can be recycled.
Your skin goes through some dramatic changes when you are perimenopausal, during menopause and post-menopause. The lack of oestrogen and the decline in collagen and elastin, can leave skin looking and feeling lacklustre, less firm, and fine lines and wrinkles start to appear.
The Age Defy range aims to re-establish normal hormonal balance within the skin. To boost collagen, brighten the skin and deeply hydrate and moisturise it. Basically, giving your skin everything it needs to remain healthy and to behave as it did when you were younger.
It does this with a range of key ingredients. Omega rich oils and fatty acids to strengthen the skin and hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention. Vitamin C to brighten the skin and combat pigmentation, peptides to help penetrate the skin at a deeper level, and natural ingredients such a goji berry and red clover for great skin health.
Brightening Cleanser 200ml £25.00
Nourishing Moisturiser 55ml £35.00
Repair Night Treatment 55ml £42.00
Once you have chosen your age targeting products, from the age range most suitable for you, you can then start building in the products to target specific skin concerns.
For me, the Skin Perfector Radiance Serum works beautifully. The one small area of pigmentation I have on my cheek is hardly noticeable when I use the serum regularly. The serum gives my skin back the glow it had when I was younger. A little goes a long way and I also add a drop to my foundation during the winter for an extra pick-me-up.
I also wouldn’t be without the Skin Protector SPF30 Primer and have repeatedly bought it since I first reviewed it. The Advanced Action Plumping Lip Cream is a must for anyone who is noticing their lips thinning or who have lines above their lips.
Cleansing is my favourite part of any skincare routine and removing every trace of SPF and makeup at the end of the day is essential. Pre-Cleanse & Makeup Remover literally dissolves the day and lets me wipe it away quickly and efficiently. The rich omega oils leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated and never stripped.
Although a little off-piste age wise, I am also a big fan of the Age Defend (30s and 40s) Conditioning Cleanser as I love nothing more than a face wash and this one leaves my skin feeling amazing.
Oh yes it does, and recently I have been exploring some of the products in the Body Beautiful range. The 100% natural Conditioning Body Serum is outstanding at deeply hydrating the skin with a blend of naturally fragranced oils and vitamin E. This product is definitely staying in my bathroom.
The range also includes a Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion, Vitality Hand and Body Wash and another of my favourites, the Intensive Hand and Nail Cream. For a salon worthy treat, use the Conditioning Body Serum first and then apply a layer of Intensive Hand and Nail Cream. Your hands will be revitalised. This has been my go-to treatment for over sanitised and wash weary hands.
There is a beautiful boutique shop situated in Haslemere, Surrey, where you can have a personalised consultation. There’s a long list of spa and salon stockists on the ARK Skincare website and of course, you can purchase products from ARK Skincare and online retailers Lookfantatsic* and Feelunique*.
It’s not surprising that this independent, privately owned, skincare company, wins so many awards, year after year. The passion and planning that goes into every product is clearly evident when you use them. They do everything they promise and more!
Tracey McAlpine and ARK Skincare CEO, Tamsin Styles, discuss the range in an Instagram Live HERE
Use code FF25 for a 25% discount on full priced items – online from ARK Skincare
Ark Skincare Age Defy range prices from £25.00
Some of the products mentioned in this article were supplied as Press Samples, although I was under no obligation to write about them or endorse them.
*Affiliate link
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