ARK Skincare ARK Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPalmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Formulated specifically for skin in the thirties and forties, the Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser from ARK is an innovative cream packed with natural moisturising agents to tone and firm your complexion.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium lactate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
Anti-agingPalmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Ubiquinone + 3 moreModerate evidence
“Enriched with clinically proven anti-ageing peptides to smoothen out fine lines and wrinkles, the weightless moisturiser promotes a smoother, younger-looking complexion, boosting elasticity and plumping skin so you can experience supple skin with a radiant glow.”
This product contains palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ubiquinone, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Alcohol, Retinyl palmitate + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Glycerin~5.1–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinEthylhexyl palmitate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideButylene glycol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPpg-3 benzyl ether myristate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl olivate~1.4–1.7%
Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterSorbitan olivate~0.8–1.2%
Passiflora edulis seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the product
More about Passiflora edulis seed oilPhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium polyacrylate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateBht~0.4–0.6%
Hydrogenated polydecene~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
Lecithin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinDisodium edta~0.3–0.5%
Alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerBenzoic acid~0.25–0.45%
Retinyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateNymphaea coerulea flower extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dehydroacetic acid~0.15–0.3%
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium lactate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateCarbomer~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTrideceth-6~0.2–0.35%
Polysorbate 20~0.2–0.35%
Ubiquinone~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneVanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilSalvia sclarea flower/leaf/stem oil~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAcacia dealbata flower extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.25%
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate~0.15–0.3%
Linalool~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butylene glycol, Ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Sorbitan olivate, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium polyacrylate, Bht, Hydrogenated polydecene, Sodium hydroxide, Lecithin, Disodium edta, Alcohol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Benzoic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Nymphaea coerulea flower extract, Dehydroacetic acid, Tocopherol, Sodium lactate, Carbomer, Trideceth-6, Polysorbate 20, Ubiquinone, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Salvia sclarea flower/leaf/stem oil, Parfum, Acacia dealbata flower extract, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ARK SkincareARK Age Defend Replenishing MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | Elizabeth GrantHydra Cell Active Ultimate Hydration Face Cream | TOSOWOONGJeju Mayu Cream | Deviant SkincarePeptide + Growth Factor Advanced Restore Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 63% | 62% |
| Price | — | — | $22.33 | $98.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Sh-Polypeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "ARK Skincare - ARK Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (glycerin, sodium lactate and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (passiflora edulis seed oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol and ethylhexyl palmitate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.15% - 0.30%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 0.15% - 0.25%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 48.30$ in the United States and from 35.00£ up to 38.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Polyene Group as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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