ARK Skincare Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser claims to be the best cleanser for your 30s and 40s.
I get why you’d need to tweak your skincare routine as you get older. In your 30s, you start to get fine lines, dark spots, and all kinds of things that weren’t an issue in your younger years.
But cleansers don’t have any actives that can target them. Their only job is to remove impurities so that whatever you apply next can have a better chance of penetrating deeper into the skin.
You know where I’m going with this. You can use this cleanser even if you’re not in your 30s and 40s. But should you? Let’s find out:
What’s In Ark Skincare Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser?
MORINGA OIL
Moringa Oil is derived from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree, a leafy plant that grows in the Himalayas. It’s loaded with antioxidants, like quercetin and Vitamins A, C and E that slow down premature aging.
But in a cleanser, it’s more cleansing than moisturising. Like all oils, it works thanks to the “like attracts like” principles.
Moringa oil attaches to the excess oil on your skin and the oils in your makeup and sunscreen, and melts them away down the drain.
In one go, skin is both clean and soft.
P.S. Moringa is the main oil here, but not the only one. Kiwi oil & co give it a helping hand.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About The Oil Cleansing Method
ESSENTIAL OIL
Not all oils are good for skin. Anything that smells too good can cause trouble for sensitive skin.
This cleanser is loaded with essential oils that smell good. Patchouli. Orange. Lavender. Lemon. The list goes on.
These oils make the cleanser smell amazing, but they can irritate sensitive skin. Now, it’s unlikely they’ll stay in contact with the skin long enough to cause a serious case of irritation. But if you know you’re allergic to one of these oils, don’t risk it.
Related: Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Sensitive Skin
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Texture
Lightweight gel, doesn’t foam.
Fragrance
Herbal. A little citrusy. Invigorating.
How To Use It
It’s the first step of your morning and evening skincare routine. Massage it on damp skin and remove with lukewarm water or a washcloth (I only use water).
Performance & Personal Opinion
ARK Skincare Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser has a luxurious texture that looks like a gel but feels more like a lightweight lotion that’s so comfortable to use.
I gently massage it onto damp skin every morning and night. It hits that perfect spot where it removes every trace of dirt, grime, and light makeup without stripping skin bare and making it feel tight.
When the cleansing process is over, skin feels both soft and clean – just like it should be.
I’m still a bit concerned all the essential oils in it can cause irritations – if applied directly to redness, broken patches of skin, or seriously dry and irritated skin.
Luckily, I didn’t experience anything of the sort. But sensitive skin (mine isn’t) can never be too careful.
Who Is This For?
- Normal to slightly dry skin
- Combination skin
Who Is This NOT For?
- Oily, acne-prone skin
- Sensitive skin
Packaging
Sleek white tube that releases just the right amount of product you need. Beautiful and practical.
Does ARK Skincare Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This ultra-nourishing cleanser helps with skin’s natural exfoliation for a clear, radiant complexion. | There’s nothing here that helps exfoliate skin. |
| Effectively removes make-up & excess sebum leaving skin clean, plump and supple. | True. |
| Perfect for sensitivities as the natural ingredients soothe redness and inflammation too. | It’s loaded with essential oils that are scientifically proven to irritate sensitive skin! |
Price & Availability
£25.00 at Feel Unique, Look Fantastic, and Wolf & Badger
Do You Need It?
I wouldn’t say it’s a must, but if it’s an ok option to consider if you don’t have sensitive skin.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Olive Oil Peg-7 Esters, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-4, Moringa Oleifera Kernel Oil, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Bht, Passiflora Edulis (Passionfruit) Seed Oil, Disodium Edta, Actinidia Deliciosa (Kiwi) Fruit Oil, Benzoic Acid, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus Indica Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Nymphaea Coerulea (Blue Lotus) Flower Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martinii (Palmarosa) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vanilla Planifolia, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Myrocarpus Frondosus (Cabreuva) Wood Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Amyris Balsamifera (Amyris) Wood Oil, Acacia Dealbata, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol.
