Review: Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser and Ananda Gentle Toner *

Antipodes is a New Zealand brand that I've been curious about for a while, but never got the chance to actually explore beyond a sample sized night cream, so when I was given a couple of the products to try recently, I was pretty excited!


Just a little bit of background about Antipodes - they are a cruelty free, vegetarian approved brand that is keen on keeping things as green as their packaging. They use natural ingredients that come from sustainably cultivated plants, as well as packaging that can all be recycled.

Sustainable, green, animal friendly beauty - doesn't that sound like something you'd like to get behind?

Now, I will be honest and say that when I first started using this, I was really unsure about it, but after pushing through for about a week, I came to love it, and here's why!

This particular cleanser comes in a clear perspex container with a black screw cap. It also comes with a spatula to help you retrieve the product from the jar, which can get a little fiddly, but is certainly more hygienic than using your fingers.

When you first open the jar, you'll be faced by a yellow, thick product with a butter-like consistency (ie the more you rub, the softer it gets). Dotted through it are little blobs of granules that help with exfoliation.

To use it, scoop out a small amount, then proceed to go over your skin in circular motions. When rinsing it off, use a facial sponge to help remove it, otherwise you will be left with an overly oily sensation on the skin. The facial sponge would remove the excess, leaving you with soft, very moisturised skin - just what I need in the Winter! If you don't have a sponge, you can also use a face cloth.

Aside from helping the surface by keeping it soft and smooth, it packs a punch with the ingredients, which include vinanza grape, harekeke flax, blue chamomile, lavender, hibicus bloom, vitamin E, olive oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil - just to mention a few!

This can be found for $42.68 at Priceline. 

I absolutely love this packaging! This lovely toner comes in a brown glass spray bottle that has an eggshell coloured label, which gives it a bit of a vintage feel. As the name would suggest, this is meant to be rich in antioxidants, and it contains aloe vera, mamuka black fern, raspberry and Bulgarian rose oil. 

On my skin, it certainly is very soothing and refreshing. This doesn't cause any tingling and has a scent that I can't quite place, but is relatively pleasant. I feel like this is partly responsible for the additional glow to my skin, which I have noticed in the last couple of weeks.

This retails for $31.99, which will give you 100 ml of product.

Antipodes is cruelty free and has a small, but intense, range of skincare products. After starting these products, I have since purchased a serum from them as well, and I'm now looking forward to seeing how it'll work on my skin!

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? Are you interested in either of the products featured?

* These products were sent to me for my consideration, but my opinions, as always, are my own.