When I first heard of the brand Antipodes, I paid no attention to it. The brand image of it being "natural" and "organic" did not appeal to me at the time, as I have always focused more on "results" when it comes to skincare. However, after trying a few products from the brand, I have nothing but great things to say about it. Why I bought the products in the first place I could not remember (probably to make up a minimum amount of purchase to qualify for some gift offer - I am a sucker for those stuff), but I am so glad that I did. They actually deliver results.
Both the Divine Face Oil and the Avocado Pear Night Cream are my winter favourites. I was meant to write up this post during winter when I was actually using them, but with my bub only a few weeks old back then, that didn't happen (surprise, surprise). I feel that this post is less useful now that it is in the middle of summer, but if I don't write it up now I probably never will.
Antipodes Divine Face Oil
This product is so simple that I am surprised someone else had not already made it. The four main ingredients are: avocado oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil and rose hip oil. Almost everything else are there just for the scent (which is absolutely beautiful and unique, by the way).
I think this oil works so well because it has good balance of oils with different fatty acid profiles: both avocado oil and macadamia oil are rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids (known for their nourishing and anti-aging properties), jojoba oil is rich is eicosenoic acid (known for its soothing properties), whereas rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acid (currently believed to play a role in relieving acne and clogged pores). I consistently used 3 drops each time on moistened skin, twice a day until I finished the bottle. I experienced no congestion and no breakout. It sits very well under makeup (disclaimer: I use a makeup primer every single time) and there was no shininess on the T-zone at the end of the day.
Although I haven't tried using this face oil in summer, I'd say that it would be good for all year round because it is not greasy. The Divine Face Oil is one of the best discoveries I made last year.
Full ingredients list
Persea gratissima (avocado oil)**, macadamia ternifolia (macadamia oil)**, buxus chinensis (jojoba oil)**, rosa canina (rosehip oil)**, cananga odorata (ylang ylang oil), santalum album (sandalwood oil), amyris balsamifera (torchwood), jasminum officinale (jasmine oil), citrus sinensis (orange oil), benzyl benzoate*, benzyl salicylate*, citronellol*, d-limonene*, farnesol*, geraniol*, isoeugenol*, linalool*, Vitamin E.
** Certified organic ingredient.
* Component of essential oil.
Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
The composition of this night cream is incredible (see a full list at the bottom of this post). None of its first 10 ingredients are useless fillers or slipping agents. In particular, my skin loves shea butter (2nd in the list - this stuff is exceptionally nourishing), squalane (3rd in the list - known for its moisturising, balancing and anti-aging benefits - what more can you ask for!) and manuka honey (5th in the list - known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties). I figured out my skin would love this stuff before even putting it on.
I used this night cream every night throughout winter. The cream is so thick that it is almost solid. A little certainly goes a long way. It is not the easiest to absorb, so a bit of patience is needed to work the product into the skin. But my effort was well rewarded - my skin felt super soft, supple and well-hydrated throughout winter, with no dry patches which I sometimes have in cold weathers.
It comes in a big 60mL jar. It is such a thick and concentrated cream, even with generous application every night, mine lasted throughout winter and spring, and there was still some left. This night cream can be used all year round, but personally I prefer to use a lighter moisturiser in summer. Since the recommended life of the product after opening the jar is only 6 months, next time I would time the first use to get the most use out of it, as I won't be able to save it for the next winter.
Full ingredients list
Aqua (water), butyrosperum parkii (shea butter), squalane (vegetable) extract, persea gratissima (avocado oil), leptospermum scoparium mel (manuka honey), macadamia ternifolia (macadamia oil), calendula officinalis (calendula oil), cocos nucifera (coconut oil), cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, lecithin (vegetable extract), gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, calcium gluconate, vitis vinifera (Vinanza Grape grapeseed extract), Vitamin E, essential oil fragrances of sandalwood, ylang ylang & patchouli: benzyl benzoate*, benzyl salicylate*, citral*, d-limonene*, linalool*, eugenol*, farnesol*, geraniol*, isoeugenol*.
* Component of essential oil.
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup & Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.