Premium Antioxidant Skincare

When your skin reacts to trendy ingredients and harsh formulas, you need skincare built for resilience. Our antioxidant-rich botanical blends work with your skin's natural repair processes, not against them.

Handcrafted in Canada since 2011 for skin that deserves better.

Customers rate us 4.9/5 based on 1522 reviews.

As Seen In

The proof is in the reviews

4.87 ★ (1522)
Verified

Want a custom routine, just for you?

Take the Skin Quiz!

A Simple Antioxidant Skincare Routine (That Actually Works)

Skincare routines don't need to be complicated. A few well-chosen products, used consistently and adjusted to what your skin actually needs on any given day, will outperform a 12-step regimen every single time.

Antioxidants aren't a trend. They're a category of ingredients that help your skin recover from and adapt to daily environmental stress: pollution, UV exposure, temperature swings, screen time, the whole works. Think of them less as a "nice to have" and more as a foundational layer of support.

Why Antioxidants Actually Matter

Your skin adapts constantly. Seasonal shifts, urban pollution, hormonal changes, stress... it's processing all of it, all the time. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules generated by UV, pollution and other environmental stressors) before they can damage cells, break down collagen or trigger inflammation.

This isn't fear-mongering. Your skin is resilient. But that resilience improves with the right support, especially if you live in a city, experience real seasonal changes, or (like most of us) just have a lot going on.

The Stark Approach: Work With Your Skin

After 15+ years of formulating skincare, here's what I keep coming back to: your skin is already intelligent. It doesn't need to be overhauled or forced into behaving differently. It needs ingredients that support what it's already trying to do.

That's what this routine is built around.

Morning: Protect and Prep

Morning cleanse: Here's my hot take. Depending on your skin and climate, you don't NEED to cleanse in the morning. A splash of tepid water is sufficient for most people, and even beneficial. However, if you have oily, acne-prone skin and/or live somewhere quite warm, a quick cleanse with ECLIPSE Enzyme Facial Cleanser + Mask will be a refreshing way to prep your skin for the rest of your routine.

PETRICHOR Antioxidant Serum Mist Vitamins C and E, resveratrol, green tea, white willow bark. These ingredients aren't just individually effective, they're synergistic and build on one another, boosting their antioxidant efficiency and photoprotective effects. Spritz onto clean skin before your oil.

If you have acne-prone or oilier skin, Petrichor pulls double duty here with its sebum-regulating and antimicrobial properties.

CITY Light Oleo Serum A lightweight oil serum with stable vitamin C (tetra-hexadecyl ascorbate, not L-ascorbic acid, so no irritation and no pH conflicts with your other products). City absorbs quickly, layers beautifully under sunscreen, and provides antioxidant protection throughout the day. Brightening happens gradually with consistent use, which is how real skin improvement works.

Follow with SPF. Always.

Evening: Repair and Restore

Cleanse properly. If you wore sunscreen or makeup (and you wore sunscreen, right?), start with AURORA Cleanse + Hydrate Balm. Aurora transitions from balm to oil to a milky emulsion as you massage it in, dissolving everything without stripping your skin. It rinses clean and leaves your skin genuinely soft, not coated.

Follow with ECLIPSE Enzyme Facial Cleanser + Mask if you need a deeper cleanse. The papaya and pineapple enzymes provide gentle exfoliation without the harshness of acids, and the buffering ingredients keep irritation in check. You don't need this every night. A few times a week is plenty.

If it was a light day, either Eclipse or Aurora on its own handles the job. Choose Eclipse if you have oilier skin or in the summer, Aurora if it's drier or in the winter.

EQUINOX Calm + Smooth Serum Pat this onto damp skin. Multiple types of humectants, like sodium PCA, glycerine, aloe and sea kelp bioferment, provide both immediate and sustained hydration. Helichrysum and edelweiss (plants that thrive in genuinely harsh alpine conditions) contribute anti-inflammatory and protective benefits. If your skin is feeling reactive or sensitized, Equinox is your best first move.

MIDNIGHT Resiliency Boost Oil Serum Your skin's natural repair processes are most active overnight. Midnight supports that work with sea buckthorn (a rare source of omega-7 fatty acids), rosehip (natural vitamin A compounds), lupine extract (builds collagen) and ceramides (fortifies your acid mantle). Midnight gives your skin what it needs to rebuild and strengthen while you sleep.

Seasonal Adjustments

Your skin changes with the seasons, and your routine should too. A rigid regimen that ignores these shifts is how skin gets sensitized.

Winter: Moisture loss accelerates in cold, dry air. Layer Equinox under Midnight for extra hydration, and consider using Solstice as an overnight treatment on particularly harsh nights. A thin layer over your regular routine acts as an intensive barrier repair.

Summer: Oil production increases and sun exposure is higher. Petrichor becomes especially valuable for its antioxidant and sebum-balancing properties. You may find that Equinox alone is enough moisture on warm evenings, without a heavier oil on top. City also shines during the summer, when your skin appreciates the added dose of antioxidants.

Spring & Fall: Transitional weather means unpredictable skin. One day you're dry, the next you're breaking out. This is when a flexible routine pays off most. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you each morning, and adjust accordingly.

Simplicity Is the Strategy

You don't need a complicated routine. You need the right ingredients, used consistently, with enough flexibility to adapt when your skin's needs shift.

Pick 2-3 products that make sense for where your skin is right now. Use them. Pay attention to how your skin feels (not how it looks in perfectly lit photos). Adjust when something changes. That's it.

Your skin is already doing remarkable work on its own. A good routine just gives it better tools.

Product FAQs

Will this work for my sensitive skin?

Look, if your skin freaks out at everything else, you're probably going to love my stuff. I get emails from people saying Aurora is the only cleanser that doesn't make their face angry, and Equinox is what they reach for when they've overdone it with actives (please stop doing that, by the way).

I don't use common irritants like artificial fragrances or harsh preservatives. The essential oils I use are well below regulation amounts, and are the non-irritating type (I did study aromatherapy, after all! I'm not just sloshing things together all "wow durr this smell pretty.")
Everything is formulated to work WITH sensitive skin, not against it, even my enzyme cleanser. That said, everyone's skin is different, so start with one product and see how it goes.

How do I know which products to start with?

Honestly? Don't overthink it. If you're new to Stark, I always recommend starting with Aurora Cleansing Balm because literally everyone needs to cleanse their face, and it doubles as a moisturizer if your skin is really dry.

If you're dealing with specific issues:

If you are unsure, why not take our quiz?

Can I use this with my current routine?

Of course! I'm not here to replace your entire routine (unless it's terrible, then maybe I am). Stark products play well with others. Just introduce one new thing at a time so you know what's actually working.

The only thing I'd say is don't use Petrichor with vitamin C products on the same day - they won't hurt each other, but it's overkill and your skin doesn't need that much of a good thing. You can use Petrichor with City because I designed them that way, but I can't speak for other brands/products.

Also, be careful if you use any harsh exfoliants or retinol, even if you are used to them. Slow and steady.

How long until I see results?

Ugh, I hate this question because everyone wants me to say "7 days!" like I'm selling miracle cream.

You'll probably notice your skin feels better pretty quickly - less tight, less angry, more comfortable. Visual changes take longer because that's how skin works. Give it 4-6 weeks for real improvements, 3 months to decide if something is actually working long-term.

Anyone promising overnight transformations is lying to you.

Why is it more expensive than drugstore products?

First of all, Stark is pretty middle of the road. I'm sure you've seen plenty of $50-$60 drugstore products, because even L'Oréal sells them. Stark is not "cheap", but certainly nowhere near how pricey, and often over-inflated, many brands are. My long-term customers will tell you my prices are fair for the value they deliver.

Because I actually make these myself in small batches with real ingredients, not in a factory with the cheapest possible formulations, my costs can get really high. You're paying for my time, expertise, and quality ingredients - not shareholders and massive marketing budgets. Every dollar you spend at Stark makes a difference to this micro-company... can't say the same for most Sephora brands, nor a ton of the drugstore brands!

I could make cheaper products, but then they'd be cheap products, and what's the point of that? When you break down the cost per use, especially with something like Aurora that lasts forever, it's actually pretty reasonable.

Are your products really made by you?

Yes! I personally formulate and make every batch. I don't have a lab coat (disappointing, I know... I'm an apron kinda girl), but I do have 14+ years of experience and an obsession with ingredients that actually work together.

This isn't some celebrity or rando slapping their name on mass-produced products. When you email me, you're talking to the person who made your skincare. Try getting that from Sephora.

What's your bestseller for mature skin?

Midnight Resiliency Boost Oil Serum - hands down. It's rich enough for dry, mature skin but not so heavy that you feel like you're wearing a mask to bed. The fatty acids and ceramides help with barrier repair, which is what mature skin really needs.

If you want something lighter for daytime, City Light Oil is great for brightening and antioxidant protection without being heavy.

What's your best-seller for acne?

Aurora Cleansing Balm - I know it sounds backwards to put oil on oily skin, but trust the process. So many of my customers report that this has helped their acne when nothing else has! It removes makeup and sunscreen without stripping your skin, which just makes your skin produce MORE oil. Plus, you can use it as a moisturizer when your skin is being dramatic.

For daytime, Petrichor Antioxidant Mist helps with oil control and has antimicrobial properties.

What's your bestseller for sensitive skin?

Equinox Calm + Smooth Gel - it's like a drink of water for angry skin. I use ingredients like helichrysum and edelweiss that survive in harsh mountain conditions, so they're pretty good at dealing with stressed-out skin.

Do you have travel/trial sizes?

Yes! We have trial sizes available. Perfect for testing things out or for travel. I actually recommend starting with trial sizes if you're unsure - no point buying full sizes of everything just to find out your skin hates half of it.

How do I build a complete routine?

Keep it simple:

  1. Cleanse: Aurora or Eclipse
  2. Hydrate: Equinox or Petrichor
  3. Moisturize: Midnight (evening) or City (morning)
  4. SPF in the morning (not mine, but please wear it)

That's it. You don't need 12 steps. You don't need to "layer" everything. Your skin wants consistency, not complexity.
If you want a li'l reassurance, why not take our Skin Quiz?

Can I use these products while pregnant/breastfeeding?

Everything except Deep Midnight Retinol Serum should be fine, but honestly? Check with your doctor. I'm a skincare formulator, not a medical professional, and I'm not going to pretend to give medical advice.

What if it doesn't work for me?

Then don't use it! I'm not going to guilt you into keeping products that don't work for your skin. Email me (below) and we'll figure something out. I've been doing this for 14+ years - I'd rather have you happy with something that works than stuck with something that doesn't.

Want a custom routine, just for you?

Take the Skin Quiz!