Overnight recovery: Antipodes forays into probiotic skin care with Culture brand

The product (Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream) was developed to boost moisture levels and strengthen the skin’s barrier repair, optimising skin recovery overnight.

The certified vegan cream is formulated with probiotics, hyaluronic acid, and bioactives such as Mamaku Black Fern and Harakeke Flax Gel.

Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and CEO of Antipodes, told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​: “With exposure to environmental pollutants, harsh chemical products, UV rays, and the constant heating, air conditioning, and over-cleansing that comes with increased time spent indoors, our skin is feeling more stress than ever. ​

“That can manifest in the form of dull skin, blemishes, dry, dehydrated and rough skin, and skin that generally lacks vitality.”​

The best way to achieve healthy skin is to enhance its natural barrier, she added.

“Everyone wants healthier looking skin, and the best way to kickstart this is to deliver good bacteria and additional hydration. This helps reduce transepidermal water loss and balance the skin’s microbiome, along with contributing to a more resilient, calmer skin barrier which can absorb active ingredients.”​

What’s in it​

One of the key ingredients in Culture is the Kalibiome AGE Probiotic. It is a non-live probiotic (postbiotic), developed through a fermentation process.

Barbalich explained postbiotics are stable and can be incorporated into beauty formulations with the same active compounds, unlike probiotics which are live bacteria and yeasts. Probiotics typically have a short shelf life and are difficult to preserve, which makes them unsuitable for use in skincare.

Kalibiome AGE Probiotic has been scientifically validated on its anti-aging and skin-enhancing properties.

In-vivo testing showed that the postbiotic can help reduce the effects of photo-ageing in the skin, reducing wrinkle depth and redness while enhancing elasticity.

In-vitro investigations also found it increases hydration by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid in skin cells.

It has been shown to boost Type I collagen in fibroblast skin cells, supporting firmer skin and fewer fine lines

Collagen is the main protein found in the skin, and along with elastin, is integral to skin elasticity and the prevention of wrinkles.

Scientific tests for Kalibiome AGE Probiotic were carried out on fibroblast skin cells, which are the cells involved in the production of collagen and elastin.

The postbiotic is produced by Kalichem, a raw material supplier for the cosmetic industry based in Italy.

The sleep-in night cream is also enhanced by other bioactive ingredients such as the plant-based hyaluronic acid which helps to keep cells hydrated, Mamaku black fern which contains glycosides for skin cell proliferation (renewal), as well as harakeke gel which helps retain hydration while providing a calming and soothing effect on the skin.

Vegan formulation​

Culture is certified vegan and clean (free from toxic ingredients), unlike other water creams on the market.

For example, in place of polymers which are used to improve consistency, Antipodes uses a natural substitute originating from soy and sunflower.

“We use meadowfoam oil to replicate the silky skin-feel of a silicone. Pressed from the seeds of flowers grown in Canterbury, this natural ingredient has a good long-chain fatty acid profile of omegas 3, 6, and 9, which adds a pleasing silicone feel to formulations​,” Barbalich said.

Antipodes’ another ingredient, hyaluronic acid is sourced from vegetables.

Hyaluronic acid is traditionally derived from animal sources.

Barbalich explained: “Antipodes' supplier utilises new technology to produce high quality hyaluronic acid that is plant-based and cruelty-free, using a common bacterium found in vegetables. The bacteria is collected and fed a sugar solution in the lab, which triggers fermentation.”​

The fermenting process rapidly produces the hyaluronic acid used in the cream.

Antipodes products are also never tested on animals and are cruelty-free. Culture is certified vegan by the UK Vegetarian Society.

The Culture cream is suited for all skin types, especially tired, sensitive or generally stressed skin. 

Antipodes stocks Culture on its online store as well as offline stocklist in New Zealand and its international markets.

Culture is the first of many probiotic skin care from Antipodes touted to restore balance and harmony to skin. “This is a terrifically exciting frontier of skincare that we are only just beginning to explore​,” Barbalich added.