Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis

Antipodes is a New Zealand brand focused on natural and organic skincare with scientific backing, to provide a product based in nature with great results. These are the first two products that I have tried from Antipodes and it is such a great introduction to the brand. I picked up this super cute little set in the Priceline 40% off skincare sale (it only ended up costing $12, bargain!). It includes the Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum and the Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream.

The Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum promises to repair dry and damaged skin and freshen the complexion. The Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream promises to prevent the signs of ageing along with soothing and mositurising the skin. It also promises to neutralise free radical damage.

The night cream smells AB-SO-LUTE-LY incredible, all herbal and fresh and slightly pear-sweet (turns out this is a combination of ylang ylang, jasmine and sandalwood, hah). I love applying this at night as it is so calming to the senses. The Joyous serum is so silky and delicious and smells clean with a slight tang of blackcurrant.

After cleansing and layering up on toner, I pat 2-3 drops of the Joyous serum all over my face, neck and décolletage, followed by a pea-sized amount of the night cream. The night cream is ultra-rich but easily spreads all over your skin. In the morning, I wake up with hydrated, smooth and plump skin that is (dare I say it?) soft to the touch. The night cream can feel a little greasy when you first put it on as it does not immediately sink in to the skin. For someone like me with dry skin, I relish the heavy feeling but for anyone with more of a combination skin type, this might be a bit much!

Over the five weeks that I have been using this pair nightly, I find my skin to be much smoother and clearer in general and, if anything, breakouts have been reduced and are healing quicker. I also haven't had any issues with dry, flaky skin, except the typical patch on the tip of my nose. Does anyone else have that problem?

Both products feature some wicked, skin-loving ingredients. The Joyous serum includes blackcurrant oil, goji berry extract, raspberry seed oil, hibiscus flower extract, Reishi mushroom extract, natural berry fragrance, essential oil components...and that's it! How's that for minimal ingredients? The Avocado Pear night cream has a shea butter base and includes vegetable-derived squalene (for hydration), avocado oil, manuka honey, macadamia nut oil, calendula oil, coconut oil, grapeseed extract, and vitamin E amongst others.

I am really keen to try out more from the Antipodes brand, what an amazing skincare range! I also might have noticed that they have a small makeup range when browsing their website...uh oh.

Price: $19.95 (Adore Beauty website - this particular set doesn't seem to be available from Priceline any more, but the full sizes are) [$1.00/mL] (the minis are a cheaper way to buy the serum, but you are better buying the night cream full size on a per mL basis)
Rate: scent, luxurious, ingredients, calming, improvement in skin appearance
Hate: relatively expensive for full-size purchase
Verdict: would definitely repurchase both (hopefully in full size)