For long-lasting hydration, Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel is a superstar especially in warm weather

I once declared that Antipodes skincare can do no wrong in my eyes.

I’ve yet to find a product that has proven that statement wrong! OK granted, I wasn’t too big a fan of Halo mud mask, but it still was a decent product.

So, when Antipodes launched Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel, I knew we were in for a treat!

I wasn’t too far wrong. But there are a couple of caveats 🙂

Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel

Antipodes, as most of us are aware by now, are a brand that hails from New Zealand. Their key ingredient in their products, is one of New Zealand’s most well-known exports, Manuka Honey. I love a spot of manuka honey for when my throat feels a little dry or I feel a little off kilter. It’s soothing, antibacterial, and helps heal a sore throat or dry cough quickly.

In skincare, manuka honey is a delight. I love it when I see honey in the ingredient list. It’s hydrating, soothing and calming to skin while being a sensorial treat! In fact, one of my favourite products from Antipodes, is their Aura Manuka Honey mask – a skincare staple!

As expected therefore, Manuka Honey is listed as a key ingredient in the Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel, alongside Hyaluronic Acid. The humectant properties of both these ingredients draw moisture to the skin for continuous hydration.

Additionally, Harakeke gel combines with mamaku black fern and hibiscus flower to help revitalize cells and protect the skin. There is a lovely fresh scent of roses, which is pleasant and not an assault to the senses at all.

As the name implies, it is a water-gel based product that delivers and helps skin retain lots of hydration. It says that it is suitable for all skin types, and especially for dry skin. As someone who has dry skin, this interested me!

Lovely rose-tinted water gel texture

The texture is a delight. It feels very lovely and light, and is so watery, it’s almost liquid. Picking it up with just fingers can be a challenge sometimes.

The light rose tint is lovely to look at, as as the fresh rose scent.

The water-gel texture is very light and smooth, sinking into your skin very quickly without leaving any residue. I have dry skin, and it drinks it up!

Skin feels well-hydrated for hours

Despite how light the texture and formula is, I find that it hydrates my skin well and keeps it hydrated for hours. This, especially in the day, when the hot air and humidity can make skin feel extra dehydrated.

I realised that because wearing face masks so often was giving me maskne, the skin around my nose, mouth and chin was also getting very dry, and I felt, contributing to the constant breakouts. Using the Antipodes Baptise Water-Gel helped my skin not be so flaky and dry and tight.

However, I find it a little too light for night use. I tried, but I definitely need something heavier for night use.

For this reason, while I do tend to agree that the Antipodes Baptise Water-Gel is suitable for those with dry skin, it is best used for the day. If you have dry skin as I do, or live where the air is drier, then you may find yourself needing something heavier for night use.

Personally, I enjoy using this one a lot. However, if I were to rank it next to the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream or Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream, or Manuka Honey & Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Day Cream, the Baptise Water Gel would be last on the list 🙂 This is simply because the very light texture appeals less to me than the creamy textures of the others. In terms of efficacy, it is fairly efficient at being a hydrating product, and I can see how and why it will appeal to most people, especially if you have oily or combination skin.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel is a very lightweight gel moisturiser enriched with manuka honey and hyaluronic acid. It is very hydrating and keeps skin well hydrated without feeling sticky or leaving any residue. It has a fresh rose scent that is pleasant, and the texture of the product sinks right into the skin nicely, hydrating it from within. Those will dehydrated skin will love this, as it plumps skin up and restores skin suppleness and smooths the skin out beautifully. Those will dry skin might enjoy it for day use, especially in warm weather. But for night use, you may need something a little heavier to keep skin comfortable. It is natural and organic, as Antipodes skincare is, and is certified vegetarian by the UK Vegetarian Society.

PROS:
Lightweight watery gel texture is very comfortable
Absorbs quickly into skin without leaving any residue
Skin feels comfortably hydrated for hours
Light fresh rose scent

CONS:
A little pricey
A little light for night use if you have dry skin

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a lightweight gel-textured moisturiser that delivers on long-lasting hydration

PRICE: RM168 | NZ$50 | £29.99 for 60ml

WHERE TO BUY: TNS Skinlab stores and online, Antipodes website, Lookfantastic, Naturisimo

If you’re interested, here is the ingredient list for the Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel.

Ingredients: Aqua (water), glycerine, sodium acrylates copolymer & lecithin, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, polysorbate 20, hyaluronic acid (plant-based), glycerine & water & Terminalia ferdinandiana (kakadu plum) fruit extract, sodium citrate, lysolecithin & sclerotium gum & xanthan gum & pullulan, Phormium tenax (harakeke) flax extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa (hibiscus) flower extract, Leptospermum scoparium mel (manuka) honey, Cyathea medullaris (mamaku black fern) extract, Zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf extract, mica, titanium dioxide, Rose Anatolia: citral, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool. 

Have you tried the Baptise Water Gel by any chance?

If you like products like Clinique’s Moisture Surge, then you will like this one just as much, if not more. I personally find it nicer to use and it’s natural and organic, so it’s great if you’re looking for skincare products like that 🙂

Paris B

Disclosure: Featured service was a media trial by the brand for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.