Growing up in New Zealand, Elizabeth Barbalich, founder of NZ skincare brand Antipodes, experienced the beauty of nature and the importance of sustainability from an early age.
“I had what I’d call an idyllic childhood. I was the baby of the family, I grew up in a small town on the beautiful Canterbury Plains,” she says.
For Elizabeth, bringing products "from Wellington to the world" is about sharing the clean, pure ingredients that New Zealand offers. These native ingredients form the cornerstone of Antipodes' skincare, and the brand proudly represents New Zealand in the local and international beauty industry.
"I truly believe that New Zealand has the cleanest ingredients on Earth. We’re fortunate to have access to native plants that are only found in our corner of the world, such as manuka honey, harakeke flax, mamaku black fern, and kawakawa – all renowned for their protective and regenerative properties. The geographic isolation of Aotearoa means that pure air, clean rainfall and fertile soil create an abundance of pollution-free, skin-enhancing ingredients that go into Antipodes skincare," Elizabeth says.
Antipodes' journey has not been without its challenges. “When I was launching the brand, it was just me coming up with formulations in my kitchen. I’m lucky to have a science background, which helped a lot,” Elizabeth recalls. “I was travelling up and down New Zealand, convincing retailers there was a market for sustainable skincare and trying to persuade them to stock my products. It was very challenging, but also very rewarding.”
Now, Antipodes has become a global brand stocked in over 40 countries. What remains constant is Elizabeth's passion and drive to do better, both for Antipodes' devotees and for the planet.
Yet, Antipodes' ingredients have evolved over the years, with a focus on innovative natural-origin peptides and a commitment to high-tech, science-led skincare.
Elizabeth explains, “When the brand began, I focused on skin-enhancing ingredients like Manuka honey and kiwi seed oil, and of course those still feature in our skincare, but I also really enjoy learning about innovative discoveries in the world of natural ingredients.
“Our two newest day creams both feature sophisticated natural-origin peptides. The Lime Caviar Collagen-Rich Firming Cream contains Sepilift™ DPHP, which I describe as a ‘wrinkle-smoothing peptide’, and the Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream contains Melanostatine™ 5, a proven melanin inhibitor that helps to fade hyperpigmentation.”
The spiritual and biblical names of Antipodes' product lines signify the belief that New Zealand's nature is spiritual in its own right—ethereal, breathtaking, and otherworldly. It's a belief that's echoed in every Antipodes product, including the Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream (available in MyTreat's November 2023 'NZ Made' Wellness Box), where nature meets innovation to create skincare miracle.
At the core of this exceptional night cream are native NZ botanicals: Harakeke flax to help soothe breakouts to foster clear skin and mamaku black fern to revitalise the complexion.
Mamaku black fern, the iconic ingredient in this night cream, is legendary for its large distinctive curved fronds and its role in regenerating native bush by feeding the soil with nutrients. In traditional medicine, it has been used to treat inflammation and pain. In Antipodes' cruelty-free skincare, it adds a touch of New Zealand's natural beauty, echoing the country's commitment to purity and regeneration. It also increases cell turnover, boosts collagen and is a skin-firming saviour.
The vegan night recovery water cream also comes with plant hyaluronic acid, a skincare hero known for its hydrating prowess and the Kalibiome AGE probiotic, a marvel that soothes, calms, and strengthens your skin barrier, ensuring you wake up with a radiant complexion.
