If there’s one skincare product that I run through fairly often, it’s cleanser. All sorts of cleansers, so I always have a little stockpile ready, of the ones I want to use next. Often, I actually get bored with the one I’m currently using, and wish I could just skip to the next LOL!
The one I’m using most regularly now, is the Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser.
Antipodes, as some of you have noticed by now, is a brand from New Zealand, that I have a bit of a special affinity with. For some reason, the skincare products work incredibly well for my skin, and I always fall in love with every new item I try. Well, most of them. There’s one I’m not crazy about (Apostle serum, if anyone’s wondering) but in the main, it’s a brand that has and can do little wrong for me.
Interesting therefore, when it’s a certified organic brand of natural cosmetics, for I have been and still am a little wary of organic and natural skincare. Antipodes is the exception.
Some of you might remember that I loved the Hallelujah cream cleanser, which I still do (and have one waiting in my skincare cupboard to break out). But when I was browsing at TNS Skinlab (the local store that carries this brand), I spotted another cream cleanser, so naturally (ooh pun 😛 ) into my shopping cart it went!
Shall I just cut to the chase and say that this one also works for me but won’t be my first choice? LOL! If you feel that makes me biased, so be it. This is how I feel about it. If you just dislike reading, you get your TL;DR 😛
For the rest of you, here’s why I like it. Ok, here’s what I don’t like first. I don’t like that it comes in tube. It is a metal tube, and because I come from the age of metal tube toothpastes, I know what a pain it can be. It is hard to control how much product is dispensed, the metal will deform over time with use, and it will eventually be very hard to get any product out of the tube. I’m not sure why Antipodes thought a tube made sense over a bottle, like the Hallelujah cleaner. That was a bit of a pain as well, as I explained before, but at least I eventually ended up getting most of the product out of the bottle.
The other thing I’m not crazy about is the scent. Most Antipodes products have a natural and pleasant scent. This one does too, albeit a little stronger. I’m not sure how to describe the scent, which I may say is faintly floral, with a heavier almond cream base. For me, it smells rather gourmand – like steaming “pau” dumplings in fact 😛 I kid you not. I smell it in the morning when I use it, and I immediately develop a craving to eat a hot “char siew pau” at a dim sum shop 😛 It is also reminiscent of almond jelly, and as I dislike the scent of almonds, it doesn’t sit well with me. It’s so weird.
As a cream cleanser however, I like how it feels. I use it only in the morning as my morning cleanse. Antipodes does say you can use it to remove makeup, but I tried it and I didn’t like it, because I find you end up using a lot of product, and it doesn’t do that great a job, unless you have very very light makeup on. I’d use this as a morning cleanse or as a second cleanse.
It is fairly thick and creamy, so it spreads nicely all over my skin, and importantly, washes off easily without the need for a flannel nor a second cleanse. It doesn’t dry my skin, and leaves it feeling lovely and comfortable and refreshed.
I came across some reviews that spoke of a tingling or warming sensation on their skin when using this, or irritation. They did say they had sensitive skin. Personally, I do not have sensitive skin and I experienced no tingling nor warming or any irritation. But as with all skincare, your mileage will vary.
I do like the luxurious creamy texture, but if I had to pick just 1 cream cleanser from this brand, I’d pick the Hallelujah Cream Cleanser. It smells beautifully relaxing, it comes in a bottle with a pump, and it is just as lovely to use. It also gives you more product for the same price. But you prefer something more portable, then this one would be it.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser is a thick creamy cleanser that comes in a metal tube. It isn’t easy to control how much product is dispensed each time, but you will eventually get it. I like the creamy texture and how comfortable it feels on my skin. I also like that rinses off easily with just hands and water, which makes it perfect for my morning cleanse. I however dislike the packaging and the scent, which I find a little too gourmand and gives me strange food cravings in the morning. It’s a decent cream cleanser, but I prefer Hallelujah.
PROS: Thick creamy texture feels comfortable on skin, Rinses off easily with just water, Not drying, Portable
CONS: Pricey, Smells too gourmand for my preference, Metal tube packaging makes it hard to squeeze out product eventually, Hard to control how much product is dispensed from the tube
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who enjoys using a cream cleanser that rinses off easily
PRICE: RM147.34 | US$40 | £24.99 for 120ml tube
WHERE TO BUY: Locally at TNS Skinlab stores or online, Online at: LookFantastic, Antipodes, Naturisimo, Beauty Bay
If you’re interested in what’s in there, here’s the ingredient list for the Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser.
Have you tried the Grace Cream Cleanser or any Antipodes products?
I’m a huge fan of the brand for some reason. It’s a little odd for me, because I’m not consciously into natural or organic skincare, as many of you realise, but hey, if it works, it works! 🙂 This cleanser wasn’t such a winner though. Onwards! 😉
Paris B
I have not tried anything from this brand yet, but I’d have to say product packaging is super important to me too! No matter how good the product is, I tend to shun away from silly packaging. And in this day and age, I wonder why brands are not investing in good and practical packaging (it’s a plus point if it sits pretty on my dressing table but not a deal breaker). 😛
I totally hear ya on packaging! I have a feeling they were trying to distinguish this product from their other cleansers. But since the other cleansers come in a bottle, I’m not sure why this can’t either, unless they find it too thick? Hard to say. That said, pretty packaging is always a winner! 😀
Hi Paris
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser. We love your images, you always do such an amazing job.
Did you know that the Grace tube is made from aluminium which has a gold lacquer on the inside wall, called a scheckolin lining? All our aluminum tubes have this lining as it protects the product against direct exposure to the aluminium. We don’t like to use plastic tubes are they are not good for the environment. These tubes are fully also recyclable.
We are very proud of our environmental sustainability policy, which is part of our Green Beauty Ethos, featuring environmentally friendly pledges like onshore production in New Zealand, recyclable packaging, and independent verification of our organic products.
Kindest
Antipodes Skincare
http://www.antipodesnature.com
Thank you for the explanation. While I understand not wanting to use plastic tubes, could you consider putting this into a bottle instead like Hallelujah?
Ooohhh you and I both!! I’m in love with every Antipodes product I’ve tried so far too, including this cleanser. It works well for my combi dry skin, plus I got it for free, yay! 😀
Was going to repurchase when I run out, but now you make me wanna try the Hallelujah cleanser! 😀
Ooh free gifts are always good! I love the Hallelujah cleanser. I prefer the scent of that one so I hope you get to try it! 🙂
I love trying out cleansers too, especially cream cleansers. My latest addiction is https://www.odylique.com/creamy-coconut-cleanser.html , it has a warm ginger scent and skin is clean and well hydrated.
Mmm a warm ginger scent sounds lovely! I have to take a look at this one. I’m usually wary of anything that says coconut, because I don’t like the smell 🙂