Ark Skincare Face Masks

I love a good face masking session, whether it is the application of one mask, a sheet mask, a gel mask, a clay mask or a cream mask, I am a huge fan of masking, even more so of multi-masking when my skin is in need of some TLC.  Ark skincare is a brand I have become quite familiar with over the last 6 months and in recent times have featured the Skin Perfector SPF30 Primer and the Age Defend Collection.  Today sees the turn of two masks that I have been using - the Triple-action exfoliator and the Hydration injection masque.

I am lucky enough to not suffer from a breakout of spots, even when it is that time of the month, but in exchange, I do have combination oily skin which has dry patches and that means using masks and other treatments is a must for me. The first mask I tried was the Hydration Injection Mask (£35) which is described as being an intensive multivitamin hydration injection masque to quench skin, plump wrinkles and restore vibrancy. This rejuvenating treatment masque is the ideal weekly pick me up for skin which looks tired, stressed or lacking in radiance.

This mask is also full of some pretty incredible ingredients which include Vitamin A to regulate collagen synthesis; Vitamin B5 for smoothness; Vitamin C to fade pigmentation and Vitamin E to act as an anti-inflammatory and to prevent UV damage. A Hyaluronic Acid Booster drenches skin with moisture, optimising the circulation of water through all skin layers and providing 24-hour protection against water loss. Finally, we have the inclusion of both Sugar Beet and Abyssinian Oil which work to intensely nourish the skin for a plush, luxury skin feel.

On the skin, this mask is really soothing, I have regular flare-ups of redness on both my cheeks, usually stress-related, but annoying none-the-less and I am always keen to use products to calm down the redness.  Using a thin layer on my skin, I tend to leave this mask on for around ten minutes before removing with a warm cloth.

The second mask is my favourite of the two and it is the Triple Action Exfoliator Mask (£35) which is described as being an innovative triple effect exfoliator with physical, fruit acid and enzymatic action to create exceptionally smooth skin.

This mask is described as being an innovative triple effect exfoliator with physical, fruit acid and enzymatic action to create exceptionally smooth skin. It uses Bamboo micro-particles gently slough dead skin and debris from the surface, creating a flawless, polished texture. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) from Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange and Lemon increase the range of cell renewal, helping to diminish acne scars and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Skin Regenerating Enzyme dissolves desmosomes to release dead skin cells, fade pigmentation and improve nutrient absorption.

What I love about this product is how it feels on the skin, rather than being overly abrasive and once applied to the skin, you can feel that it is working.  When I use it, I ensure my skin is damp and then apply a small amount to my skin, massage it on using circular motions and then leave it on my skin, as directed for up to two minutes before rinsing it off.  The feeling afterwards is soft, smooth skin with no irritation or tingling.

More Information

If you have never come across the ARK Skincare brand before, it is developed & manufactured in Britain. It is Cruelty-Free and you will find that many of their products are Vegan-friendly. There is a lot more information about the entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

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

Burt's Bees Hand Cream with Shea Butter

At this time of the year, using a hand cream is almost like second nature for me, I always have one or two (maybe 3 or 4) tubes on the go, one in each handbag, on my desk, on the bedside table and usually one in the bathroom as well.  One of my favourite brands, Burt's Bees has just released some pretty amazing hand creams, which if you read this post last week, you might notice some similarities.

New to the range are these Moisturising hand creams with Shea Butter and there is three different ones to choose from - Lavender & Honey, Rosemary & Lemon and Orange Blossom & Pistachio and each one is the perfect size for travelling with.

I have been using two of the lip butters in Lavender & Honey as well as the Orange Blossom & Pistachio and the two accompanying hand creams are just as divine to use.  

All three of these hand creams are formulated with 99% naturally moisturising ingredients such as Shea Butter, Baobab Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil for softer, smoother hands. 

Each hand cream really does have an amazing texture when applied to the skin, lightweight and non-greasy, they absorb quickly without leaving any trace behind other than the most wonderful fragrance.   The skin on my hands tends to become quite dry on my palms rather than anywhere else, so this is the place I ensure I rub in a little extra cream and regularly exfoliate to ensure the issue doesn't get worse.

The Orange Blossom and Pistachio hand cream is one I absolutely love the fragrance of and it is one I hope the lovely people at Burt's Bees extend the range of, it is zesty and fresh scented and as the Orange Blossom comes to life, the Pistachio is also present, but it isn't overbearing.  The Lavender and Honey cream again smells exactly as you might expect it will, the Lavender is really fresh and there is a slight sweetness to it too.  The final hand cream is the Rosemary and Lemon scent and I love the earthy notes of this mixed in with sharpness of the Lemon makes quite the fragrance.

If you are in need of new hand cream, then Burt's Bees ticks a lot of boxes.  My hands absolutely love this and as the formula is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, it is definitely worth looking out for.  You can find all the new products from Burt's Bees on Lookfantastic and they have some amazing gift sets too.

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