Less than 10 days until the big day - we can’t quite believe it! Are you feeling ready for the Christmas break?...

If you’re still looking for ways to get yourself feeling festive then hopefully we can help!  In this post, we share some of our favourite Christmas activities to give you some ideas on how you can keep busy in the build-up to the 25th. 

1. Bake a festive treat!

It’s Christmas, so of course, we have to start with food... Now is certainly the time to allow yourself to indulge a little! There are so many different festive recipes out there for all kinds of different snacks and sweet treats - you’re bound to find something to make your tummy rumble. Why not have a go at making your own treats to enjoy? Here are some yummy recipes we like the look of! 

2. Gift Wrapping

With just a few weeks left to go, it’s time to finish off your Christmas shopping and get wrapping! There are so many fun, creative ways to wrap gifts. We love the look of these Furoshiki wrapping cloths; they are such a unique and fun way to wrap a gift for somebody, plus they can be reused again and again to avoid excess waste!

If you’re looking for more sustainable ways to wrap your gifts, perhaps you could opt for the types of wrapping paper which are much easier to recycle (foil or glitter-decorated paper cannot be recycled and needs to go in the general waste). There are so many clever and sustainable ideas/ DIY hacks online to keep yourself busy. Perhaps you could even have a go at creating your own wrapping paper or wrapping your presents in reusable tote bags! Take a look at ours here.

If you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute and are still on the hunt for the perfect gift, make sure to head over to the ARK Skincare website before the weekend! We have so many popular gift sets for all different ages so there is something for absolutely everybody - but be quick! The last day to place an order to ensure it arrives before Christmas is Sunday 20th December before midnight. 

3. Treat yourself to a pamper evening!

While you might not have so many Christmas parties to get dressed up for this year, the Christmas break is definitely a good excuse to give yourself some extra TLC. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing pamper evening? Maybe a glass of mulled wine too?... You deserve it!

If you’re looking for something to give your skin an extra pick me up, head on over to our website to take a look at our Skin Perfectors. We have our Hydration Injection Masque which will give your skin a generous boost of hydration (your best friend during the colder months!) and our Triple Action Exfoliator to help gently scrub away dead skin and debris from the surface, leaving you with a radiant glow. 

We also have 6 Skin Perfecting Serums to keep you looking and feeling your best, depending on which skin concerns you’d like to tackle!

4. Reach out to somebody 

If you’re unable to visit certain friends or family members this year but still want to share some festive cheer, don’t forget to reach out and let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them! There’s just enough time to write your Christmas cards and get your last gifts in the post!

If you’re in need of ideas, we have a generous selection of gifts to choose from on our website and you even have the option to ship directly to your recipient - just make sure to remember to amend the shipping address at checkout! 

5. Donate to those in need 

Christmas is the time to show some generosity and goodwill and there are certainly people in need & lots of amazing charities who would appreciate your support. 

We recently gifted some of our products to the Haslemere food bank who were so grateful to receive a donation. They couldn’t wait to wrap and gift them at their Christmas distribution and reminded us that it really does mean a lot to those who are struggling.

Do you have items that you no longer use that would make a great gift for somebody? Is there something you could donate to a local charity? You might just make someone's Christmas day!

Not long to go now!...

Hopefully we have inspired you to get stuck into something fun and festive to boost your Christmas spirit. We'd love to see what you get up to! Be sure to tag us in your stories and posts @arkskincare. 

Ever feel like your skin needs a bit of oomph? Many things can affect your skin - your diet, environment, the weather, or perhaps not cleansing as often as you should. But don’t worry,  we’re here to help! In this post, we focus on our top tips to help you achieve a natural glow this summer. 

1. Start With a High-Quality Cleanser 

ARK Skincare is passionate about cleansing. We strongly believe that it is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. Always make sure to double cleanse to ensure you remove any airborne bacteria, pollution or dirt that is attracted to your face. It will also help the skin care products you apply to work their magic properly!

Tip: Start with ARK Skincare’s Pre-Cleanser and follow up with your Age Intelligent Cleanser. 

2. Exfoliate Once Or Twice a Week

Another important step to a good skincare routine is exfoliating. This helps to buff away any dead layers of skin and reveal a bright, healthy complexion. ARK Skincare’s Triple Action Exfoliator includes Bamboo Particles which gently remove any grime from the surface while fruit acids and enzymatic action create exceptionally smooth skin.

3. Add a Serum

Choose a serum to help give your skin a boost with nourishing active ingredients. ARK Skincare offers a range of six, each specifically designed to tackle each specific skin concern. For our glow seeker’s, we recommend our Radiance Serum - it’s rich in vitamin C which brightens dull skin for a glowing, energised complexion. 

4. Eat Well 

We all know "healthy-looking skin comes from within". So make sure to choose foods which your body will thank you for. Experts suggest to “eat the rainbow” and pack as many colours as possible onto your plate to get all the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy diet, (while remembering treats now and again, of course!) 

5. Stay Hydrated

As we all know, drinking water is crucial. Not just for our skin, but our entire body. So make sure you’re drinking plenty throughout the day - especially in the summer months!

Give your skin an extra boost by using hydrating products. Take a look at our popular Hydrating Serum - the perfect cocktail for thirsty skin, or our Hydrating Beauty Mist for a spritz during the day.

To view our full range of products, visit the ARK Skincare website. Should you ever need any help or product advice, please email office@arkskincare.com or call us on 0203 740 3303. We'd love to hear from you! 

Feeling fed up with dark under-eye circles? ARK Skincare has got you covered. Our Reverse Gravity Eye Cream is the perfect product to tighten your eye area and keep it hydrated. In this post, we focus on the powerhouse ingredients that make this product so special and how they work to fade dark circles and diminish puffiness. 

ARK Skincare's Reverse Gravity Eye Cream

Do I need an eye cream?

The skin around your eyes is more fragile, more prone to dryness and quicker to show age and fatigue. Squinting and constant movement of the eyes can increase the appearance of lines, wrinkles and fluids collecting under the eyes which can cause dark circles, so It's important to remember to give your eye area a pamper every so often too.

Our instant-effect eye cream does it all: reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fades dark circles, soothes dry skin and minimizes puffiness.

Ingredients

Beautifeye™

Beautifeye™ is an extract from the Persian Silk Tree which is proven to tighten and lift the crease of the eyelid and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It also helps to reduce pigmentation and reduce any puffiness. 

Grapeseed Oil 

Grapeseed oil is rich in linoleic acid (also known as Omega 6),  an essential building block for ceramides - one of skin’s main moisturising elements that help to keep skin supple and healthy. 

Grapeseed Oil also contains Vitamin E which fantastic for skin; it protects against environmental pollution and UV radiation, quenches skin with moisture and helps to soothe irritation. 

Aloe Vera 

This powerful ingredient is used intensively in cosmetics due to its well-known healing and rejuvenating properties. It contains antioxidants, enzymes, multiple vitamins and is also used as an anti-inflammatory. The perfect ingredient to hydrate and soothe your eyes.

 Allantoin 

This ingredient acts as an emollient that keeps your skin full of moisture and prevents dryness and irritation. Allantoin has a calming effect on the skin and is full of antioxidants to keep skin youthful, vibrant, and healthy. The presence of antioxidants in your skincare routine will always show in your skin.

How to Use

For the best results, use in the mornings and evenings. Gently warm a small amount of product between ring fingers and pat lightly around the eye area. Then massage in using the metallic ball. In the summer, keep your eye cream stored in the fridge for a refreshing treat on a hot day. 

Reviews

Take a look at what our customers had to say! 

2020 - "I really love the design of ARK Skincare Reverse Gravity Eye Cream. It’s basically a wand with a rollerball-tip." - Beautiful With Brains - Skincare Blogger

2020 - "Another award-winning product I have been enjoying using is the ARK Skincare Gravity Defying Eye Treatment. This product is amazing at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and help to fade dark circles and diminishes puffiness."  Juelook, Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger

2020 - Finalist at Beauty Shortlist Awards "Best Eye Product" 

"This cream is lightweight and soothing. Formulated to be used by those with even super sensitive skin, it also scores points for being vegan, cruelty-free and made in Britain...we especially loved the cooling metal ball on the end of the tube which can be used to massage the cream into the skin." - The Independent 

Resources: 

Herbal Dynamics Beauty - What is Allantoin & Its Role In Anti-Aging?

Healthline - Grapeseed Oil For Skin: Benefits and Uses

In the last few weeks, we have received some amazing product feedback so, we decided to round up some of the most recent reviews and share what everyone has been loving with you!

Age Defend Night Treatment 

“I am so impressed with it that I can’t imagine using anything else at bedtime now. Using this combination of products has my skin feeling soft, supple and brighter, protected against the harsh winter weather” - Even Angels Fall, Lifestyle & Beauty Blogger

“I've used the Age Defend Regenerating Night Treatment most nights for nearly three weeks and I would confidently recommend it to virtually anyone who has skin. It feels a little bit indulgent to use, absorbs nicely and, so far, has made my face feel more hydrated and comfortable than it has in a long time.” Lippy In London, Beauty Blogger

"When it comes to the colder months, my skin needs a bit more oomph in my moisturiser and this fits the bill perfectly. It has kiwi seed oil (omega 3 fatty acids for moisture and to help the skin barrier), passion fruit oil (anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory), Prodizia (for signs of fatigue), and CoQ10 (an antioxidant to help the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles)." Talonted Lex, Beauty Blogger

Age Defend Moisturiser

"ARK Skincare is a brand I've reviewed and raved about on my blog for a while now and I cannot recommend their Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser enough (it's my favourite product of theirs, closely followed by the new Age Defend Night Treatment" Of Beauty & Nothingness, Beauty Blogger

"Now I must admit I'm always a little nervous about trying new moisturisers as I hate heavy products that feel too rich & worry that they will lead my hormonal skin to breakouts.  However, this product is anything but heavy & contains Co-enzyme Q10 & collagen-boosting vitamin A & despite the fact I initially pumped too much out of the bottle I was amazed at how quickly it absorbed into my skin & instantly left it feeling smoother & looking plumper."

"I love candlelight. Something about it is so soothing. And better yet if the candle smells incredible. I’ve recently been loving the ARK Spa Aromatics Travel Candle. It’s small enough to take it with you on your travels so you can take your favourite scent with you wherever you go but big enough to have lots of burn time." Beauty Rocks, Lifestyle & Beauty Blogger

Gua Sha Jade Tool 

"At night, (especially when I was using the tool on my neck) I felt a lot of tension released.  That’s what sitting at a laptop for most of the day typing can do for you folks! I did – through repeated use (and I stress the repeated use) – notice a difference especially to my eye area – it did appear that my brows were lifted and my eyes were more open." Living Pretty Happy, Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger

Pre-Cleanse Makeup Remover & Defend Conditioning Cleanser

"I've been using these products for a few weeks now & I'm impressed with both.  The Pre Cleanse & Make-Up Remover effectively removes all traces of my make up, even when wearing a heavy smokey eye & when used with the Conditioning Cleanser I've found my skin has been left feeling deeply cleansed & smooth." My Midlife Fashion, Fashion Blogger 

Triple Action Exfoliator 

"I’ve used the ARK Skincare Triple Action Exfoliator once and I adored it.

Once I washed the exfoliator off my face, my skin felt incredibly soft and smooth. This is such a satisfying feeling and I couldn’t stop touching my face. It reminded me of when I got a microdermabrasion treatment as my skin’s texture felt completely renewed."  A Womans Confidence Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger.

Skin Perfector Clearing Serum

" Before I used this serum, I genuinely used to use about four different ones to try and target different issues but this one does it all. It saves so much time only having to apply one product and I’ve definitely noticed a huge difference since using this serum. My pores are definitely way less obvious, it calms my redness and even my blackheads have reduced." According to Alice Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger. 

Skin Protector: SPF 30 Primer 

"This went onto the skin beautifully and was super easily absorbed. I had been searching for a new daily SPF product for months and this is literally exactly what I wanted to add to my skincare routine, as I know it's protecting my skin from any harmful UVA and UVB rays, maintaining its youthfulness and overall health as well. "The "airbrush" finish allows makeup to glide on effortlessly and last all day long." Coconut Couture, Lifestyle Blogger

Skin Essential Reverse Gravity Eye Cream 

"Another award-winning product I have been enjoying using is the ARK Skincare Gravity Defying Eye Treatment. This product is amazing at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and help to fade dark circles and diminishes puffiness."  Juelook, Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger

You can view all of these products using the links above, or click here to go straight to the  ARK Skincare website!

We could all do with a pick me up. Here is your chance to send yourself, or a friend, a care package to serve as a virtual cuddle. You can choose from our three options: Comfort, Uplift, or De-Stress. Order your favourite for yourself, or send it to a friend of your choice. Simply add the recipient's delivery address at check out.

The Comfort Care Package 

The Uplifting Care Package 

Including: 

• Mini Hydrating Beauty Mist 
•  Vitality Hand & Body Wash
• Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion
• ARK Wash Bag 

Was £92, now £45

The De-Stress Care Package

Including: 

•  De-Stress Serum 
•  Hydration Injection Masque
• Geranium, Eucalyptus & Peppermint Travel Candle  
• ARK Wash Bag

Want to include a message?

Sadly we can not include personal messages at this time. However, at check out, you can sneak in a message in the name field. Enter your recipient's name in the "first name" field, and the message in the "last name" field. The name and message will be displayed on the address label. But keep it brief due to the limited space available, and make sure you put your details in the billing address section.

The Science of Sleep

We all know how important rest is and the struggle we can face without it. So, what happens when we sleep and why do we need it?

Sleep is incredibly important as it helps the brain to function properly. Without it, we are unable to properly process what we’re told and remember things we learned throughout the day. This is why it can be hard to focus on what would usually be fairly straight forward.

Bad or little sleep can lead to many different complications. Some are physical, such as seizures, high blood pressure and increased likelihood of illness and infection. It can also increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia.

Despite knowing all of the factors that are associated with lack of sleep, I was interested to find out what actually happens when we slumber. So, with that in mind, I went away and did some research of my own.

So, What Did I Find?

Sleep is regulated by our circadian rhythm (also known as our body clock). It responds to light cues and ramps up the production of melatonin – a natural hormone known as the ‘sleep hormone’ which tells our body it’s night time. Once the sun starts to go down and we are exposed to less light, melatonin is released into the bloodstream and as levels begin to rise, we start to feel sleepy. (This definitely makes me feel less guilty about feeling so sluggish in wintertime!)

When we sleep, we experience a four-stage cycle. These cycles are often repeated 3-4 times during the night, depending on how good of a sleep we get.

Stage One

This stage is the transition between being awake and falling asleep once we get comfortable, close our eyes and begin to relax. This usually lasts about 5-10 minutes.

Stage Two

This is when our heart rate and breathing begins to slow down, body temperature drops and our muscles may twitch. This stage is still fairly light and the brain produces sudden increases in brain wave frequency known as sleep spindles.

Stage Three

This is known as the “delta” stage of sleep due to the delta slow brain waves which take place. It is at this particular stage in sleep that the most growth hormone is produced to service bones, muscles and repair the body. At this point, it becomes a little harder for us to be awakened because we become less responsive to outside stimuli. 

Stage Four

Stage four is known as REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), the deepest stage of sleep which we usually enter about 90 minutes after initially falling asleep. This is the stage where the brain is most active, the eyes dart back and forth and breathing becomes fast and shallow. It’s also when our dreams take place. Chemicals that are released within the body render it temporarily paralyzed so that we don’t act them out in our sleep. Each REM stage can last up to an hour and an average adult has five to six a night.

ARK Skincare’s Brand-New Night Treatments

After some extensive research into the science of sleep over the past two years, ARK skincare has recently released two new night treatments. Each is packed full of active ingredients that help to aid the body’s natural repair process when we sleep, allowing us to wake up feeling rested and glowing. You can find more information about these here.

Sources

This informative video from The Economist explains each stage of sleep in detail which you can watch here 

NHS - How To Beat Insomnia

"If you watch my Instastories Often, you will have seen me using this loads lately. I just love the scent of refreshing Wild Mint and the way my skin feels suddenly cool and calm. This spray is perfect for all ages and stages of skin but I have included it in my mature skin round-up as I think that a hot, flushed skin, dehydrated skin or someone with those fine lines and wrinkles can really benefit from the hydrating properites it offers. The cooling sensation of that Wild Mint and the beautiful ingredients included make this a joy to use. Goji and Blue Lotus (which is in a lot of much higher price point skincare) bring lots of anti-oxidant rich, brightening properties as well as detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties which I think work wonderfully on menopausal skin. I am loving this brand so much and I know you will too."

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Shop our Hydrating Beauty Mist HERE

Read the full blog post HERE