Tara, an independent brand from South Korea is harnessing the healing powers of the ocean in a line of skincare products that promises results. I put some of their products through the paces. Read on for my full review.
Tara was founded on the belief of using the ocean’s natural healing powers to make us feel more confident in our natural beauty. I personally believe in sea therapy and the healing power of the ocean. The salt in seawater can help heal wounds, the touch of the sand and pebbles on the beach helps with foot reflexology and the vast blue and green ocean can trigger a sense of serenity and calmness.
Poets have waxed lyrical on the healing powers of the ocean for millennia. From the therapeutic benefits of the refreshing saltwater breeze to the sense of serenity that comes with the sounds of the waves endlessly crashing into the shore, a day at the beach brings about a sense of calmness and well-being.
But the ocean is also a bringer of life and among the teeming pools of ocean life are rich marine ingredients such as algae and marine collagen that are sustainably extracted and formulated into Tara’s products. Read on for my review of two of TARA’s unique marine-inspired products, the Ampoule Sea Therapy Mask and the Aqua Peptide Antioxidant Ampoule.
Tara Algae Ampoule Sea Therapy Aqua Mask
I love spending some quiet me-time every weekend with a good sheet mask. Tara Algae Ampoule Sea Therapy Aqua Mask is one of my favourites because it feels comfortably good on my skin, and that in itself is therapeutic. A good sheet mask should be one that you feel comfortable having on your face for the full 15 mins and shouldn’t feel like a chore. Tara’s 100% cotton sheet mask is sheer and generously soaked in ampoule. It easily fits into my facial contours without slipping and needing continual adjustments.
This rich antioxidant sheet mask contains some of my favourite ingredients such as Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalene and much more! It is lightly scented with fruit oils but does not contain any artificial fragrance or parfum. It did not cause any skin irritation during or after application and left my skin feeling soft and supple.
Each box comes in a pack of 5, each pack with 27g of essence. Personally, I think this is the right amount for the face and neck. I do not like too much essence on the sheet mask that it drips to my neck or the mask slides down my face while I’m sitting or walking with the mask on (I’m sure you know what I mean). The mask is made from 100% cotton so it feels soft on skin and perfect for sensitive skin types.
You can check out my IGTV @patlincraft on how this luxurious sheet mask looks inside the pack!
With the vision of providing a luxurious, clean and pure sea spa experience at home, this isn’t your average drugstore sheet mask that you would use on a daily basis. Anyways, we do not go to the spa every day either. I would recommend using this Algae Ampoule Sea Therapy Aqua Mask once or twice a week and you will see and feel your skin’s improved elasticity and hydration.
The Algae Ampoule Sea Therapy Aqua Mask won the 2021 Beauty Insider Beauty & Wellness Award for the ‘Best Sheet Mask’ and after giving it a try, I wasn’t too surprised why. I highly recommend this sheet mask to anyone who loves sheet-masking because this is another level of hydration and skin pampering which not many brands come close to.
Aqua Peptide Antioxidant Ampoules
As we grow older, it is tougher for the body to retain water. The key to slow down skin ageing is to keep your skin well hydrated. The Aqua Peptide Antioxidant Ampoules are designed to fill in this gap in our skincare regimes. More powerful than your typical serums, essences and moisturisers, this ampoule is highly concentrated and extremely potent.
You can check out my IGTV @patlincraft on its beautiful clear blue texture and also how to open the ampoule.
Each pack comes with 5 individually packed ampoule glass bottles (3ml each) sealed with metal cap and 2 soft droppers. Each ampoule lasted me up to 3 days when used both day and night. For hygiene purposes, it is advisable to change out the dropper after using it for more than 2 or 3 times.
If you have tried such individually packed ampoules, they usually come in a break-glass tube. It is always a nerve-wracking experience to open this type of ampoules. The quality of the glass is important for the make of the ampoule. I have ever had the bad experience of getting cut with a chipped glass from an opened ampoule. I definitely prefer the design of this ampoule.
The key ingredients of the TARA Aqua Peptide Antioxidant Ampoule are Hyaluronic Acid, a Peptide Complex, Marine Collagen and Algae-8 complexes - among others. It moisturises and keeps skin healthy and protected from the outside environment. Low molecular hydrolyzed collagen helps with deep hydration. Alginic Acid, that occurs naturally in seaweed, help to strengthen the skin cell tissue and attract moisture.
The ampoule is fragrance-free and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This premium set of ampoules is close to 2 times of a facial spa session however with 5 ampoules in a set, this could easily last you 5 months! I would recommend using this ampoule at least once a month to keep your skin supple and supercharged with hydration. However, if you feel your skin needs extra repair and rejuvenation due to daily work-life stresses or external pollution, then I would recommend using one ampoule every fortnight or weekly if you’re feeling indulgent.
The level of hydration from these ampoules feels premium and luxurious on skin and it's long-lasting on my dry skin. This is @patlincraft approved!
The combination of the Algae Ampoule Sea Therapy Aqua Mask and Aqua Peptide Antioxidant Ampoule can serve as a strong skincare foundation to help slow down the signs of premature skin ageing. We cannot stop our skin from ageing but we definitely can slow it down with good skincare products and a disciplined skincare regime.
With the current pandemic and “work-from-home” situation, you can enjoy this simple and luxurious home spa regime without leaving the comfort of your home! This sheet mask is suitable for combination and dry skin; especially those with fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores concerns.
