What set you on the path to creating the Antipodes brand?

After I’d had my three children, I began paying closer attention to my health, and that included both what I put in my body and what I put on my body. I went searching for high-quality skincare that was free from chemical nasties, but I couldn’t find premium, natural products that matched the quality of the synthetic brands I’d previously used, so I decided to create them myself!

What was the first ever product you developed under Antipodes?

My first one was Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser & Makeup Remover. Given that the most common skin type is combination, I developed this cream cleanser to be ideal for both oily and dry skin, to help balance and regulate sebum production, while also nourishing the skin. It’s a beautiful soft cleanser and highly effective at lifting impurities, including eye makeup. It’s also a brilliant morning cleanser to help remove excess sebum that accumulates on the skin overnight.  

Is there a story behind the name?

Antipodes refers to our location, our little corner of the world here in New Zealand. The term refers to two points on the earth’s surface that are opposite each other, and it’s often used in the northern hemisphere to describe New Zealand and Australia. 

Tell us a bit about your brand ethos

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Antipodes. We source the cleanest ingredients — all grown without chemicals, pesticides, or fertilisers — to go into our nature-sourced formulations. We work with farmers and suppliers who share our sustainability ethos, and I’ve known many of them since day one, so I can trace the ingredients back through their lifecycle. All our skincare is certified organic, vegan, or vegetarian, and is free from animal testing. Our green beauty ethos also encompasses our glass and aluminium packaging and our local production – everything is made in New Zealand.   

What would you say sets Antipodes apart from other natural skincare brands?

The independent testing that our products undergo — it’s rare to find natural products with scientific backing. I have a scientific background, so science plays a critical part in the development of every formulation. They have to give results. I’m really passionate about finding potent natural ingredients and teaming those with independent scientific and clinical trials to create plant-powered skincare that gives enviable results. 

What does natural beauty mean to you?  

Ultra-clean natural ingredients with no chemical nasties. New Zealand’s lush forests evolved untouched for millions of years, so we’re blessed with nutrient-rich unpolluted nature, which goes into every Antipodes product. But it goes further than that. Everything we create has the health of the planet in mind, from our vegan formulations to our packaging. We’ve used premium glass since Antipodes launched 18 years ago, and aluminium tubes soon after. And there’s more to come – we’re working towards 100% plastic-free packaging, so watch this space!

Tell us a bit about the star ingredients in your products. What are they and why do you include them?

Vinanza® Grape is a powerful, and sustainable, antioxidant extract, a by-product of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine industry, upcycled from the seeds of sauvignon blanc grapes. These grapes contain double the levels of polyphenolic antioxidants compared to grapes grown elsewhere in the world, due to the area’s high level of sunshine. Why we use it: It provides excellent antioxidant protection and supports skin elasticity.

Manuka honey is renowned for its skin-enhancing benefits. Our premium manuka honey is wild harvested from remote areas of NZ’s North Island. Why we use it: It’s a natural humectant to draw moisture to the skin, and it’s also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory to help clear blemishes.

Avocado oil is the hero ingredient of our anti-ageing ‘origins’ range, cultivated from avocados grown in New Zealand’s subtropical north. Why we use it: The oil is very rich in nutrients, it stimulates collagen production to plump lines and wrinkles, and it’s also high in antioxidants.

Kakadu plum is nature’s highest source of vitamin C, 100x that of oranges, sustainably harvested from Australia’s tropical north by indigenous communities. Why we use it: It helps protect skin from oxidative stress, the number one cause of premature ageing, to address pigmentation and brighten the complexion. 

What is your absolute favourite Antipodes product that you simply couldn’t live without?

Can I pick two? At the moment our new releases, Flora Probiotic Skin-Rescue Hyaluronic Mask and Credo Probiotic Ferment Revitalise Serum, have a special place in my heart. Extensive research went into the creation of our Calming & Clearing range, which features a world-class probiotic called Kalibiome. Flora features a strain specially formulated for sensitive skin, while Credo’s strain focuses on rejuvenation, to address blemishes and signs of ageing. I use Credo in the morning, then Flora once or twice a week, whenever my skin feels like it needs some relief. 

Having said that, the one Antipodes product that is always in my handbag is Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner. I have dehydrated, sensitive skin, and a quick spritz through the day keeps it calm and hydrated. I can’t live without it!

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