Age Defend with Ark Skincare

I have been a big fan of Ark Skincare since being introduced to them back in 2019. If you haven't come across the brand before, ARK is an award-winning British Skincare company that has developed what they refer too as 'ageintelligent skincare' and it focuses on treating skin by age as well as concern. 

For reference, Ark Skincare has three ageintelligent ranges to choose from:

• age protect – for teens and 20’s
• age defend – for 30’s and 40’s
• age defy – for 50’s and over

Products in ARK's Age Defend range, which I am sharing today, are designed to boost your skin's natural collagen production and minimise redness for a calm, supple complexion. 

Alongside the ARK Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser (£26 reviewed here), which  is a lightweight cleanser described as being an ultra-nourishing cleanser which helps with skin’s natural exfoliation for a clear, radiant complexion and the Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser (£38 reviewed here) which just so happens to be the best selling moisturiser from the Ark Skincare range, contains natural moisturising agents such as Shea Butter and Olive Oil which are not only incredibly rich and hydrating on the skin but also work to leave it feeling soft and velvety smooth to the touch. I have been using the Age Defend Soothing Facial Oil (£48) which is a new launch.

For many years I assumed that I was unable to use a facial oil because I have combination-oily skin, but having spoken to many skincare professionals, I found this not to be true and have since always included one within my routine.  Described as being a silky facial oil with a delicate slip to hydrate, de-stress and calm skin sensitivity as well as to restore a healthy glow to the skin.

This formula contains a whole host of ingredients, the first of which is called Collageneer®, an innovative active ingredient that works to stimulate natural collagen production, and defend against the visible signs of ageing. Alongside that we have Kiwi Lipids, Abyssinian Oil, Defensil, Sweet Almond Oi, Baobab Oil (rich in Vitamin A).

What I really like about using this oil is that it isn't greasy or tacky when applied to the skin and it should be applied to the face and neck until it has fully absorbed. This is a delightful collection of products, which work really well together or can be used on their own to be incorporated into your existing routine.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Cohorted April Beauty Box

This months Cohorted Beauty Box is amazing, it has four fantastic items included, all of which I will be using. If you are present on Twitter, then you will know that these boxes are quite the conversational subject when they go on sale because the last three have, including this one, have all sold out! They costs just £19.99 but the contents alone add up to a huge £70!

So this month there are 4 full sized products within the box and all of them are for sale with Cohorted in their shop. What's more, each product is from a brand that you will have heard of or possibly even used something from and it is a good mixture of highstreet v's high end. This is one of the things I love about beauty boxes, the chance to try products you might never have thought of trying, the opportunity to try things you might not necessarily have heard of, the chance that you have wanted a product for a while and actually it isn't what you had hoped or it is more than you hoped for and of course the build up to that box arriving, the refreshing of the package tracking page and then the arrival.

So, inside my box this month is the bareMinerals: Heavenly Face Brush (RRP £22) made from goat hair, this brush is large, soft and features a blunt-cut brush head. 

On the skin it feels incredibly soft on the skin and I find it is great for giving that flawless look with liquid foundation and equally it is great for using as finishing brush too.

Ark Age Prepare Skin Purifying Masque (rrp £10) is next and it is described as being a cleansing masque for congested skin that will leave it feeling very refreshed. The masque is said to absorb excess oil, reduce the appearance of blemishes and pores for clear skin. Designed to be used once or twice a week, this masque uses Kaolin Clay which heals blemishes and prevents new ones from forming. Wild Water Mint reduces the size of enlarged pores and Anti-pollution Algae prevents skin damage from free radicals.

I have never used anything from Ark skincare but I do love a good facemask, so I am really looking forward to trying this.

Korres are one of my favourite brands for lip butters, so to find the Mulberry Vanilla Body Butter (RRP £19.50) in this box is a delight.  Made in Greece, this body butter is free from propylene glycol, synthetic dye, mineral oil, silicones and parabens. 

It contains shea butter, quince extract and a proprietary blend of sunflower, almond and avocado oils which moisturises and soothes the skin and is luxuriously hydrating. Having worn jeans, trousers and thick tights for the last few months, the skin of my shins is quite dry, so I need something that will soften and hydrate my skin and not only does this body butter smell absolutely beautiful, it is such a lovely cream, you can't help but love it.

The final item in this amazng box is from MAC and it is the Sheertone Shimmer blusher in Dolly Mix. When I first looked at this blush I immediately loved the shade, who doesn't love pink, but I did expect it to be too pink for my almost porcelain skin. 

However, having had a bit of a play with it, actually whilst it is really pigmented, if you use a stippling blush lightly, it does give a great transfer of colour, giving that natural flushed look add to which the shimmer is just amazing, it creates a nice glowy sheen on your cheeks.

I think this is an absolutely amazing box and my favourite of the Cohorted boxes that I have seen to date.  I love that there is a nice mix of products and all four of them are not ones I would ever normally pick up or choose, but now I have them, I am wondering why I have not picked them up sooner.  This is one of the first boxes for a long time that I have used all of the products and have not been left feeling disappointed.

Did you manage to get your hands on this box?  What do you think to the contents?