This April, we’ve had an exciting new launch – Antipodes! This natural, eco-conscious brand highlights the best of New Zealand by offering a cocktail of nourishing botanical extracts and delectable natural ingredients – all while still showcasing sumptuous textures and tantalising aromas. They are a Scientific Green Beauty brand that sustainably cultivates pollution-free native New Zealand natural ingredients and blend them with science, innovation and research.
“Antipodes® is always seeking out the best ecommerce platforms in each market – so we’re thrilled to be working with Escentual and their dynamic team! Like us, Escentual have a single-minded vision of delivering the best in green beauty to discerning customers. Our partnership signifies a terrific year ahead.”
-Elizabeth Barbalich, Founder & CEO, Antipodes®
For this month’s sustainability series, I wanted to shine a spotlight on this eco-conscious, plant-powered brand. This Antipodes skincare review lets you in on the products that have caught my attention – as well as a few Antipodes best sellers.
I’ll be honest, the biggest challenge was narrowing it down to just ten – honestly, they’re all so good I could have picked them all! From nourishing cleansers to sumptuous day creams, I’m confident that Antipodes will have something to transform your skin and up your skincare regime.
Plus, I have to tell you about the packaging. Each glass jar and bottle can easily be repurposed, and all of the packaging is recyclable too. Antipodes even use eco-ink (which is derived from vegetables!) on all of their labels, and biodegradable cardboard that’s been derived from sustainable forests. If you’re looking to be more environmentally-friendly with your skincare, Antipodes is the one for you.
And don’t just take my word for it; Antipodes is a global favourite and an award-winner. Featured by international beauty houses such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar – and loved by celebrities Elle Macpherson, Sam Smith and Cara Delevingne – I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Antipodes just as much as I have!
“Anything by Antipodes. It’s all natural.” – Cara Delevinge
1. The Calming Toner Spritz
The Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner has very quickly become one of my favourites. If you’re a frequent reader of our blogs, you’ll already know that I love a face mist – and this one ticks all of the boxes; it’s effortless, hydrating and packed with antioxidants to fend off free radicals.
It’s ideal for sensitive and stressed skin as it provides calming relief and moisture in just a few spritzes. It’s packed with mineral-rich Waiwera Artesian Water, which comes from New Zealand’s famous spring that was voted the best water in the world! This spring water provides the purest boost of moisture that you can spray throughout the day to restore comfort and hydration. The rosy scent perks up the senses, too, while revitalising the complexion; it’s one you’ll want to keep nearby at all times. Although you can use it throughout the year, I think it would be the perfect companion to a hot summer’s day when you need a refreshing spritz.
2. The Creamy Exfoliator
The Reincarnation Pure Facial Polish & Exfoliator was the first Antipodes product that I tried, and I was immediately sold. It’s a smooth and nourishing cream that exfoliates and polishes skin, and it’s made with 100% natural ingredients. I love how soft and radiant my complexion feels after using it!
It has a gentle scrub texture, thanks to biodegradable jojoba beads that buff away dead cells and trapped dirt. You can say goodbye to dullness and lacklustre skin as a cocktail of carrot seed and calendula oil revitalise the complexion to leave it glowy and revived. Plus, a hearty dose of avocado oil, cedarwood and sweet orange nourish, calm and balance skin’s texture. My skin felt so soft and smooth after using this, and I couldn’t get enough of the glow!
3. The Vitamin C-Rich Eye Cream
I must admit, an eye cream is what my skincare collection has been missing. I turned 25 last November, so I decided it was time to start paying attention to this delicate area as I’ve started to notice fine lines and creases starting to creep in. Since using the Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream, I can definitely see a difference.
It’s so lightweight yet still nourishing and refreshing; it instantly cools the skin and leaves it feeling soft and bright. This is all thanks to vitamin C, which illuminates skin as well as being full of antioxidants to protect against free radicals – which can lead to ageing and dullness. Plus, it boosts collagen production by up to 82%, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to target sagginess to plump up the area as the eye cream smooths and softens wrinkles and fine lines.
If I already haven’t convinced you that you need to try this eye cream, then maybe you’ll take Sam Smith’s word for it, who said it was one of their “favourite new things.” Somewhere in the world, one jar sells every minute! It’s definitely one to add to the wishlist if you want luscious nourishment, radiant eyes and soothed skin.
4. The Detoxifying Mud Mask
If you’re a fan of mud masks, then you’ll love the Halo Skin-Brightening Mud Mask. It contains mineral-rich volcanic mud from New Zealand’s Volcanic Plateau, which is the second most geothermally active region in the world. This mud is packed full of minerals, including calcium, sulphur, sodium and silicon, and has been renowned through the ages for its skin-regenerative abilities. Not only does this mud break down trapped oil, dirt and impurities to prevent blemishes, but it leaves skin bright and even. It’s also got biodegradable jojoba beads to shift dead cells, plus peony petal which is perfect if you’re looking to tackle hyperpigmentation as it inhibits dark spots.
What I love most about this mask is how fresh, bright and firm my skin felt after using this; it provides a much-needed detox to dulling and clogged skin.
5. The Softening and Soothing Mask
Okay, I know I have chosen two masks in my line up of Antipodes favourites, but they’re both so good you can’t blame me! The Aura Manuka Honey Mask was named a “cult product” by Vogue France, and is a Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Award Winner (twice!), so I just had to give it a mention.
This is the one to pick if you’re looking to deeply condition and moisturise your skin while targeting blemishes. The soft and creamy formula feels like you’re bathing your skin in rich melted butter as it restores balance and comfort to your complexion. World famous New Zealand manuka honey nourishes skin and draws in moisture; it also has antibacterial abilities to promote a clear and conditioned finish. Trust me; you’ll love the delectable vanilla and mandarin scent, and won’t be able to get enough of how soft and plump your skin feels afterwards.
Another bonus? It can even be used as a spot treatment to target pesky blemishes as and when they appear.
6. The Nourishing Makeup Remover
Hallelujah – I’ve found you your new favourite cleanser! If you want to revitalise your skin and leave it clean, radiant and free from impurities and makeup, then the Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser & Makeup Remover is the one for you.
This nurturing cream cleanser deeply nourishes skin while gently lifting away every trace of the day. It’s full of antioxidants, such as vitamin A and omegas, as well as bioactive Kawakawa leaf to defend skin against environmental aggressors to fend off signs of ageing. Skin feels revitalised and nourished with each use, which is thanks to a hefty dose of nutrient-rich avocado oil from sun-drenched North Island in New Zealand. It has a zesty, 70s inspired scent of patchouli and lime along with a creamy, nourishing texture that lusciously cocoons skin and captures every impurity.
7. The Skin-Plumping Serum
Like a tall, cool glass of water for your skin, the Hosanna H2O Serum is a plumping, radiance-boosting treat. Just like the Ananda toner spray, this serum contains 15,000-year-old Waiwera water to provide pure and mineral-rich hydration. I love how glowy this water-charged serum makes my skin look, and it feels so soft, smooth and supple afterwards.
The serum has revolutionary Vinanza grape extract – which comes from sauvignon blanc grapes – to offer resistance against pollution and free radicals. The silky serum stimulates collagen by up to 72% too, which is ideal if you are looking to plump and hydrate. The pale brown formula has a light and fluid consistency that easily melts into skin to leave it deeply hydrated and luxuriously moisturised.
8. The Brightening and Mattifying Moisturiser
Each of the Antipodes moisturisers are so sumptuous and nourishing that it was difficult to pick just one. But if I had to, I would go for the Manuka Honey Day Cream. It’s mattifying, firming and brightening, and the gorgeous honey scent is just delicious!
The beautifully rich texture slightly stimulates the skin, all thanks to the innovative addition of bee venom that firms and tightens the complexion. Softening manuka honey leaves skin feeling fresh and youthful, and its antibacterial properties help to combat blemishes too. This is the perfect choice for oilier and combination skin types as it leaves skin with a bright and shine-free finish as it gently mattifies the appearance. Plus, the sweet honey aroma lingers all day long, which will perk up the senses every time you get a whiff.
9. The Sweetly-Scented Hand & Body Cream
Now this is a blissful delight for the whole body; the Joyful Hand & Body Cream is exactly that – joyful! The scent, the texture, the way skin feels afterwards… all-in-all, it’s a nourishing treat. It contains a rich blend of macadamia nut and avocado oil, which keeps your skin feeling lusciously soft, smooth and moisturised, while the addition of blackcurrant is packed with vitamin C. This not only brightens skin, but also helps to defend it against oxidative stress, so you can enjoy soft and shielded skin all day and all over. It has such a sweet and fruity scent of blackcurrant too, which reminds you of the natural extracts within.
10. The Good Bacteria Night Cream
The Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream is one of Antipodes’ latest innovations, and innovative it is! If you think that all bacteria is automatically bad, then I want to introduce you to this overnight moisturiser. It has a blend of good bacteria for your skin as it features non-live bacteria Kalibiome AGE Probiotic, which strengthens the skin’s barrier and brings relief to stressed skin. This locks in water to reduce moisture-loss, all while protecting against irritants such as pollution.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid too – specially bio-fermented from vegetables – which boosts water-content in the skin for a dewy and plump finish. You’ll love waking up to deeply hydrated and refreshed skin, and the deep rose and citronella scent lovingly soothes the senses.
And I need to tell you about the texture; it’s as soft as a cloud and literally erupts on the skin into a quenching fluid. The unique water-cream has a pale lilac shade and allows your skin to get the most out of your beauty sleep.
Discover More:
The Sustainability Series – Escentual’s Sustainable Processes
The Sustainability Series: The Beauty Team’s Tips To Be More Clean With Your Beauty
