Review: Vegan Antipodes Skincare from New Zealand

2021 is the Year of Calm, Clean Skincare™. That’s the message from New Zealand’s Scientific Green Beauty™ brand Antipodes, with the launch of their Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream. This intensely hydrating water cream features good bacteria, plant-based hyaluronic acid, and New Zealand bioactive extracts, and is designed to promote healthier-looking skin.

If you’re looking for a skincare brand that is certified organic, vegetarian and vegan, then Antipodes just might be the one for you as their products are made with pollution-free, results-driven native New Zealand ingredients.

The certified vegan formulation delivers a lifeline to any skin type by boosting moisture levels and helping to strengthen the skin’s barrier, optimising skin recovery overnight. It is applied as part of a relaxing evening ritual, and users awaken to a calm, clear, hydrated visage.

Our review

We managed to try out three Antipodes products: Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream, Divine Face Oil Rosehip & Avocado Oil, and the Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask. 

Do note that we used all three products as part of our night time skincare routine for about two weeks before this review. We have combination skin that is sensitive.

Product Highlights What we loved What we didn’t love

Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask

It helps to improve skin’s appearance with rich mineral mud from geothermal New Zealand, revered for its regenerative brilliance, as well as antioxidant-rich Vinanza® Grape & Kiwi. Prized peony also contributes to a bright and luminous visage while jojoba beads help shift deadened cells.

Suited to most skin types but particularly good for blemish-prone skin.

To be used twice a week or whenever your skin needs it.

This mask smells good enough to eat. No kidding. But please refrain from doing so.

It does feel very creamy and as it dries within the 15 minutes, you can feel your skin being lifted somewhat.

After rinsing off the mask, skin felt very supple and pores were visibly clearer although no pore pack or extraction was done.

Pleasantly surprised that skin stayed relatively matte throughout the whole evening and even till the next morning.

We have to admit to having a slight bias against mud masks because they’re a bit of a pain to wash off.

Applies better with a mask brush or paddle.

To make sure that all the mud was washed off, we used a cleansing pad before applying toner.

Divine Face Oil

Rosehip & Avocado Oil

Replenish tired, dry and stressed skin with this rich, light and easily absorbed organic and vegan face oil.

Certified organic and featuring nutrient-rich avocado oil grown in New Zealand orchards, this oil is blended with pure reship and macademia oil to restore a fresh and glowing visage. Lift your spirit with fragrances of sweet orange, ylang ylang and jasmine petal.

Suited to most skin types, especially dehydrated and combination.

This is the first time we’re using a face oil and we’re naturally afraid that it might too oily, especially with combination skin.

The smell is not overpowering and does feel like a luxe but calming balm.

Surprisingly, the oil was absorbed quite quickly.

Skin looked and felt hydrated throughout the evening and even the next morning.

Skin looked more matte only when the mud mask was used. Otherwise, there still is a visible shine, albeit a healthy one.

Although not cloying, we could still feel a layer of oil on the skin.

Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream

Innovative new water cream moisturiser that is certified vegan. The sleep-in night cream delivers a lifeline to any skin type by boosting moisture levels and helping to strengthen the skin’s barrier, optimising skin recovery overnight.

It’s all thanks to Kalibiome AGE Probiotic, a natural “good” bacteria that helps to seal the skin’s epidermal layers, reducing water loss and supporting firmer skin.

Plant-sourced hyaluronic acid and native New Zealand extracts such as Manuka Black Fern and Harakeke Flex Gel boost water levels for intensive hydration. Hibiscus Flower contains natural acids that have a gentle exfoliating effect on the skin too.

Suited to all skin types, especially skin that is irritated, tired or generally stressed.

The texture is very light, more like a day cream than what one would expect from a night cream.

Smells of rose and geranium, and has a very pretty lilac colour.

Glides on very smoothly and is very quickly absorbed (faster than the face oil for sure) with no sticky after feeling.

Skin feels hydrated throughout the evening and even the next morning. Seems to also control the oil because skin doesn’t look or feel oily the next morning.

Hard to pick a fault with this product!

Overall, we love Antipodes skincare range! If you have sensitive skin, you really do not need to worry about having any adverse reactions and the products deliver what they promise. Adding that they’re all natural and made sustainably? We’re sold!

Where to get Antipodes Skincare

In Singapore, you can now find Antipodes Skincare at Guardian Health and Beauty stores islandwide as well as online. Do note that Guardian is currently offering a 25% discount and delivery is free with purchases above S$40.


Images: Antipodes Skincare

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