Ever since I finished Tub #2 of my fave Origins Make A Difference Plus+ day moisturiser, I’d been on the lookout for something new to try. Yes, I could quite easily go back to it (and I plan to!) but trying new things is part of the fun, in case I stumble across a new fave. One new item I dabbled with is this, from my favourite natural/organic skincare brand.
The Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream was gifted to me and came in handy just as I ran out of my day moisturiser. So far, most of the products I’ve used from the brand has sat well with me and my skin so I was curious to see if this cream would.
As the name implies, the cream has a lovely scent of vanilla. It isn’t the sweet gourmand scent of vanilla cream, if you are starting to cringe at this point. I know, because I’d cringe too. In fact, I was a little worried when I opened the tub, wondering if my nose would be assaulted by the sweet smell of vanilla dessert. Fortunately, it wasn’t.
This cream smells of fresh vanilla, which if you’ve smelled it, isn’t as cloyingly sweet as when found in a dessert. It smells of fresh vanilla mixed with the slightly musky scent of manuka honey and is very pleasant. However, I also realised that it did not quite sit well for me as a day cream.
The texture of the cream is fairly thick, and with its hydrating properties as claimed, I’d peg this as being more suited for someone with dry skin, or someone who lives in a dry climate. If you live in a cool or cold, dry climate, you will appreciate this for use in the day.
It is fairly thick, but easy to apply and absorbs quite well into the skin. However, in our humid weather, I found that even on my dryish skin, it had a tendency to feel heavy on my skin in the day. This made it feel a little uncomfortable, especially when I have sunscreen and makeup sitting on top; so I set it aside after a few days of experimentation. It just wasn’t cutting it as a day cream.
However, one day, when I’d ran out of my night cream instead, I decided to give this a go. Nevermind that it says day cream on the label, I figured that a face cream was a face cream. Since it did not contain SPF, I could use it for night and I did.
And I love it! 😀
For use at night, the heavier texture sits longer on my skin before being absorbed, but I’m fine with that. It does not leave an oily residue, nor does it feel heavy and uncomfortable. I apply this over serums and face oils and it plays well with everything, and after a while, absorbs into my skin so the oily, heavy feeling goes away.
As it promises, it hydrates my skin and keeps it feeling comfortable all night, in an air-conditioned room, and my skin likes it. I don’t have to use a lot each time, as I found that just a little, spread between my palms and then applied to my skin, was quite sufficient. The picture above shows a tub after almost a month’s use, once a day, and I’m not going very far with it, which is great of course 😀
To be fair to it, it doesn’t do much more than keep my skin feeling comfortably moisturised so if you have a specific concern e.g. whitening, anti-aging etc, then this won’t be for you. But as a basic face cream, I like it 🙂
In a nutshell
The Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream is a nice, basic face moisturiser that does hydrate skin as promised and keep it hydrated for long hours. The cream texture does feel a little heavy and uncomfortable when used in the day time in a hot, humid climate unless you have very dry skin so I’d suggest that anyone in a hot, humid climate try this for night, as I do. It keeps my skin happy and comfortable and smells lovely of fresh vanilla blended with musky manuka honey, a scent I find comforting. I personally find that a little product goes a long way so I’m happy with this, even if I don’t use it in the day, as intended.
Pros: A good basic hydrating moisturiser, Once absorbed leaves no oily or sticky residue on skin, Keeps my skin feeling comfortable and hydrated through the night, Comforting scent
Cons: A little pricey, Takes a while to absorb, The texture is too heavy in a hot and humid climate
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a basic hydrating face cream that is organic and contains natural ingredients
Here is the ingredient list of the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Face Cream so you can see if they sit well with you.
I think this product is lovely and I’m glad I took a chance with it despite not liking it the first time around. It goes to show you that it is always worth experimenting, within reason, because you never know when you might find a product you and your skin likes! 😀
If you find the price a little daunting, I thought I’d let you know that Antipodes has 2 mini sets of skincare available for sale for a limited period, one of which contains this Vanilla Pod Hydrating Face Cream, if you’d like to try it at a smaller price tag. Locally, they retail at about RM79 each at TNS Skinlab and I can attest to them being especially great for travel.
Have you tried this Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream and did it work for you? Do you like vanilla scented stuff?
I’m glad I gave this a shot as a night cream because it didn’t go to waste, and it worked. Antipodes does have a night cream I plan to try once I’m done. I’m being good and trying to use up stuff instead of just “sampling” all the time 😀 As for vanilla scents, it depends. I hate the strong, sweet, dessert-type vanilla scents, but I like light fresh scents, as you would get from scraping a fresh vanilla pod. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it! Smells so lovely! 😀
Paris B
Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream Price: RM132 | NZ$58.50 for 60ml Availability: TNS Skinlabs stores (Malaysia & the website ship regionally), Antipodes’ website
Fathin says
August 21, 2014 at 9:38 amThis sounds like a fun new product to try 😀 I’m currently experimenting with day cream that I can use in the office because of several reasons:
– The weather inside is 180 degrees different that outside (outside is high humidity, lots of sunshine and hot as my area is very close to the beach and sea)
– I spend almost my entire day during weekdays/working hours inside so get lots of exposure with full-blast air-conditioner that makes my skin so dry.
– I also need to wash my skin often if I’m using makeup and sunblock because of I need to make sure my skin is free of anything that water resistant and water proof for my ablution for prayers.
Yeah, it may sounds weird that even though Malaysia doesn’t have four seasons, I need two different moisturizers but I live in two different weathers depends on where I spend most of my time. Cold and dry in the office (weekdays) or Hot and high humidity (weekends).
Paris B says
August 28, 2014 at 11:42 amHi Fathin, gosh you live in 2 worlds! Haha 😀 I know what you mean about it feeling like winter indoors. I’m just thankful I don’t work in a mall because I think my skin will just shrivel up and die from the dry air and cold! Also, yes I totally understand about washing your face for prayers and I really salute you for the effort you put in to redo your skincare and makeup because it must be so trying! I know of people who refuse to wear makeup for this reason – it’s too much hassle to put on and take off and then put it back on after prayers. This one’s a nice cream and it might suit your purpose for office use 😉
Beauty Box says
August 21, 2014 at 9:43 amI do the same with Dr Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream in colder months. It is way too heavy as a day time moisturizer for summer or even in autumn/winter as I put on sunscreen and makeup. I’ve to say that everytime you write about Antipodes, I really want to try it!
Paris B says
August 28, 2014 at 11:43 amOoh I haven’t tried Dr. Hauschka Rose cream but I remember trying their Quince cream many years ago and I loved it! You’ve just reminded me of this brand so I’m curious to go test their products again haha! Antipodes is a great brand (to me anyway) I couldn’t get organic/natural skincare to work for me till I tried this one and so far, so good!
Grace says
August 21, 2014 at 3:02 pmHi Paris,
I see this brand in my local Pharmacy stores all the time. I nearly bought it when they had a 40% off on skin care. I should have now I see your post. I really like organic moisturisers. I will definitely give it a go when it’s on sale again:)
Paris B says
August 28, 2014 at 11:44 amLucky you Grace!! I read that they were on 40% off at Priceline recently and if I was there, I’d have wiped out the shelves! LOL 😀 I’ve liked almost everything I’ve tried from the brand so far, which is saying a lot, knowing how fickle I am 🙂 Do give it a shot the next time they’re on sale. I think you’d like it too!
Mademoiselle nature says
August 21, 2014 at 3:29 pmHello,
Antipodes is a lovely organic brand …as much as I love natural beauty, some creams may feel a bit heavier…but the results are nevertheless awesome 🙂 x
Paris B says
August 28, 2014 at 11:45 amI totally agree with you! I’m very happy I was introduced to Antipodes just so I finally have an organic brand I can use (and works!)
Sam Bear says
August 21, 2014 at 4:32 pmOhh I absolutely love the avocado and rosehip face oil! I bought the mini pack when it went on sale (snagged it for $12!) I think when I run out of the face oil I’ll definitely be repurchasing it! I do agree with you that the day cream is quite thick and is best suited for night time though!
Paris B says
September 1, 2014 at 4:50 pmI like that one too! Have you tried Hosanna hydrating face serum? I like it mixed into the Divine oil – feels divine! 😉
Sam Bear says
September 4, 2014 at 11:43 amOhh! I haven’t tried the face serum yet – mostly because it doesn’t address any of my skin concerns but I’ll probably recommend it to my friend as she suffers from really dry skin.
I’ll be sure to mention mixing the serum and the face oil together to her!
S. Drama&Makeup says
August 21, 2014 at 5:00 pmThis is definitely my favorite face cream! I’ve used it all winter as a day cream and I loved it.
It’s definitely too heavy in warmer temperatures, I’ve been using it as a night cream too lately 🙂
I really like the scent, too!
Paris B says
September 1, 2014 at 4:50 pmYay! Happy to know you like it too S 😀 If we had winter here, I can imagine I’d use it in the day too – it feels like it’d be perfect
Victoria says
August 21, 2014 at 5:12 pmI will still stick to the Origins one but I like your idea of using the Antipodes one as a night cream. It is a good tip for day moisturisers that do not work for day time 🙂
Paris B says
September 1, 2014 at 4:51 pmI’d stick to Origins too haha! I haven’t found anything as impressive yet which is a pity since I’ve run out and all 😛
Sunny says
August 21, 2014 at 5:31 pmHey Paris, I checked the sets out when I saw them on your Instagram. I was also wondering if this particular cream would be too rich for daytime for my combo skin. I’m more than happy to give it a go as a night cream tho! My tube of Caudalie Vinosource moisture recovery cream is on it’s last leg!
Paris B says
September 1, 2014 at 4:52 pmWoohoo! I hope you’re liking experimenting with the Antipodes mini sets, Sunny 😀 Definitely give the moisturisers a go in the night, if you feel it to be too heavy for day, although I think once winter comes around, you might be able to make it work for the day 🙂
Philippe says
August 25, 2014 at 7:47 pmI LOVE the aura manuka honey mask fromt this range.
Put it on the Belgian map and everyone is freaking out over it now hehe.
Perhaps this is more suitable for wintertime when you need a barrier cream/something richer?
Paris B says
September 1, 2014 at 5:22 pmOOh yes, I love the Aura mask too! Must schedule a review on that soon, I keep forgetting about it! And you’re definitely the King of skincare in Belgium, Phil 😉 This cream would definitely work better in the winter but since I’ve 0 chance of experiencing winter here, I’ll just have to make do!
Giselle says
April 22, 2016 at 2:48 pmHello,
Where can I buy Antipodes products in Singapore? Thanks!!
Paris B says
May 2, 2016 at 12:18 pmI might be wrong, but I don’t think it’s available in Singapore. You can try contacting TNS Skinlabs. I believe they ship to Singapore too.