The Origins of Antipodes
Antipodes is a premium New Zealand brand renowned for its natural, vegan product line. Founded in 2004, the brand has successfully redefined the concept of organic cosmetics worldwide by seamlessly blending modern science with New Zealand’s native superplants.
However, few people know that Elizabeth Barbalich started Antipodes simply because she wanted to find a natural product for her family that was both highly effective and free of chemicals. When the natural products available at the time failed to deliver the desired results, Elizabeth—a former biology student—resolved to conduct her own research.
Shortly thereafter, the Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser—a dual-purpose makeup remover and facial cleanser—was introduced to consumers, marking the birth of one of New Zealand’s premier luxury natural skincare brands.
Staying True to Its Commitment to Protecting the Ecosystem
From its earliest days to the present, Antipodes has consistently minimized the use of traditional plastic packaging materials. All Antipodes products prioritize glass jars, aluminum tubes, or reusable plastic materials. This helps the brand prevent millions of plastic containers from ending up in the environment each year.
Saying No to Chemicals
Driven by the desire to find natural, chemical-free products for the family, Antipodes has maintained this philosophy over the years. The brand is committed to providing consumers with products that are completely free of parabens, MIT, mineral oil, microplastics, and gluten. Additionally, Antipodes holds BioGro and ECOCERT certifications, as well as vegan and cruelty-free certifications, affirming its leading position in the premium natural cosmetics market.
In addition to its efforts to protect the ecosystem while ensuring product quality, Antipodes also demonstrates product efficacy through investments in clinical trials and human dermal fibroblast testing. Through these tests, Antipodes shows that its products have the ability to stimulate collagen and provide genuine antioxidant benefits—rather than merely presenting claims through standard data and marketing imagery.
Leading the Natural Cosmetics Market
Over the course of more than 20 years, Antipodes has evolved from a domestic cosmetics brand into a global icon for natural, eco-friendly cosmetics, with a presence in forty countries. You can find Antipodes at renowned luxury cosmetics retail chains such as Sephora, Myer, and David Jones.
But that’s not all—the brand has also expanded into the hospitality industry by partnering with Vanity Group. Antipodes products are transformed into hotel amenities and distributed to the world’s most luxurious hotel and resort chains.
Fig & Feijoa—Refreshing Fragrances from New Zealand
Standing out for its strength in creating fresh fragrance combinations from natural ingredients, Antipodes quickly won the hearts of hotel guests. Most notably is the Fig & Feijoa collection (Sweet Fig & New Zealand Feijoa)—a line so successful it’s considered Antipodes’ flagship in the amenity segment.
Fig & Feijoa blends the scents of sweet figs and New Zealand feijoa to evoke the image of a lush, vibrant garden after the rain. The product features two fragrance notes:
- Top Note: The fig delivers a honey-like sweetness accented by the crisp, tangy freshness of New Zealand feijoa. Together, they create a sensation that is both refreshing and refined, with a deep, soothing quality.
- Base Notes: As the deep, refreshing sensation fades, you’ll be greeted by a gentle, relaxing, yet no less luxurious blend of pear and warm white cedarwood.
With Fig & Feijoa, you’ll embark on a uniquely satisfying journey through the Southern Hemisphere. The collection features a full range of products—from shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body and hand lotion, to pillow spray—designed to care for you from head to toe, allowing you to unwind and enjoy moments of pure relaxation.
Antipodes is not only a premium beauty brand but also a pioneer in organic cosmetics, upholding both product quality and a commitment to protecting the ecosystem that has been maintained over many years. And that is precisely why the brand has garnered immense popularity among customers, guests, and luxury hotel and resort partners worldwide.