Why natural skincare is tricky to create – but worth it
The reason synthetic skincare is everywhere
It’s no secret that synthetic skincare dominates the beauty world. A stroll down any high street store or pharmacy aisle reveals endless options made from synthetic ingredients, promising hydration, glow, and age-defying results – often at a low price point.
But here’s something that’s not so widely understood: synthetic skincare is everywhere not because it’s better, but because it’s cheaper and easier to make.
In contrast, Antipodes' high-performance natural formulations are a completely different undertaking. It’s harder. More expensive. More time-consuming. But that's what makes us so unique.
Synthetic skincare is cheap and easy to formulate
Most conventional beauty products are based on synthetic compounds: petroleum-derived emollients, silicone fillers, artificial preservatives, and lab-created actives. These ingredients are inexpensive, consistent to work with, and easy to scale. This makes formulating a synthetic product straightforward – especially when the goal is smooth texture, long shelf life, or mass-market appeal.
That’s why so many moisturisers rely on mineral oils and silicones to lock in hydration. These ingredients create an instant, occlusive layer on the skin – but do little to support your skin’s health over time. They’re quick fixes, not long-term solutions.
Why natural skincare is far more complex
Creating a natural product that feels as luxurious as its synthetic counterpart – while genuinely nourishing the skin – is incredibly complex. At Antipodes, our ingredients carefully sourced from nature: bioactive botanicals, antioxidant-rich extracts, and clean, plant-based emollients. These aren’t off-the-shelf materials. They’re often seasonal, sensitive to climate, and much harder to stabilise in a formulation.
Sometimes, to ensure a product is safe, effective, and shelf-stable, we may need to use a tiny percentage of a synthetic ingredient – such as a food-grade preservative or a stabiliser. But we will always choose a nature-derived alternative wherever one exists. That’s not just a formulation choice – it’s part of our commitment to creating skincare that’s as natural and sustainable as possible, without compromising performance or safety.
We hold ourselves to a higher standard because we believe natural skincare should feel decadent, smell incredible – and deliver visible results.
Simple on the outside. Sophisticated beneath the surface.
Our skincare products may be clean and natural, but what goes into them is anything but simple. Crafting a formula that meets our standards for performance, sensory experience, and sustainability means overcoming enormous challenges:
- Finding natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives
- Stabilising active ingredients without artificial binders
- Balancing natural scents without synthetic fragrances
- Designing sustainable packaging that protects our delicate formulations
It’s not the easy road. But it’s the one we’ve chosen, because it aligns with our founder’s values – and the growing demand from conscious consumers for skincare that’s ethical, luxurious and effective.
The Antipodes difference
We don’t believe in cutting corners. Our commitment to natural formulation is core to our identity as a New Zealand brand, grounded in science and powered by nature. It’s what makes our products feel different – because they are different.
So next time you use our natural skincare, know this: behind that product is a team of cosmetic chemists, scientists, botanists, and formulators who’ve done the hard work to bring nature to your skin in its most powerful form.
It’s not easy. But it’s worth it. Because we believe that natural skincare should never mean compromise.
