Face Mask Friday #30 – Ark Age Prepare Masque

It feels like ages since I reviewed a full size face mask, instead of a small sample sized one or a sheet mask. The Ark Age Prepare Masque is one I’ve had in my collection for ages, but I haven’t gotten around to reviewing that, it is however one that I’ve used pretty frequently since it joined my collection.

I’ve reviewed several Ark products before, I was given a big hamper of them from the TV shopping channel I used to work at to review for my blog, and I also picked several out when I used to be subscribed to Love Me Beauty. If you’re unfamilar with Ark skincare – they have different ranges which are targetted at different age groups to target specific skincare problems. It’s not unlike many other brands however they do specifically age group products as a guide – personally I think that’s really helpful as whilst most people know you should be using an anti-aging serum, it has the right ingredients for your skin’s makeup without having to do any heavy research.

The Age Prepare line is targetted from those in late teens up to early thirties. I’ve had a exfoliator from the line in the past, and have a moisturiser which I’m still working on getting to in my stash (although did finish up the moisturiser from there 40s line and loved it, so maybe I should pull it out!). This is the Skin Purifying Masque, this is priced at £25, but from what I can tell, I think it may be discontinued as it seems to be out of stock on every website I’ve been on. God damn it.

Whilst at points I’ve used this almost every couple of weeks, I probably haven’t actually used this in the past 6 months or so. My skin in January has been on it’s own terms, I think I’ve been so stressed at trying to get some wedding stuff ticked off (and my mother off my back about when the invites will be sent off), it’s played havoc with my skin, accompanied by the cold weather spell it’s meant I’ve had both breakouts and dry areas. The Skin purifying mask seemed like something that might be perfect for getting my skin back on track.

The texture of the masque is an unusual formula, it feels halfway between a cream and a clay mask. it applies as a cooling cream texture that feels slightly heavier on the skin, and over the space of about ten minutes it dries out and starts to feel more like a clay – but it doesn’t become as dry feeling as many clay masks do.

I leave this on for over the prescribed amount of 10 minutes, because it dries it becomes a very easy mask to leave on for a long time and get on with your household chores, I’ve been known to leave this on for over an hour, as it doesn’t get to a point where it becomes so dry it starts flaking off either. I’ve always been subtly impressed with this mask, mid-breakout it does a fantastic job of soothing and calming down any angry spots and it leaves the skin soft and smooth after washing away. When I used it this time, I squeezed way too much out, so I smeared the left overs all over Ben’s face too, when he washed it away he said ‘Oooh I like this one my face feels really soft!’, so it gets a big thumbs up from both of us.

I’m a bit sad to see that the Ark Age Prepare Masque seems to no longer be around and I feel a bit guilty for not sharing it sooner.

UPDATE : Ark got in touch and let me know this is still available but only via their professional skincare salons. I got this in a love me beauty box so I feel like a lucky gal!

What are your favourite masks for mid-break out crisis?

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