Antipodes may not top everyone’s radar, but this New Zealand-born skincare brand has been creating buzz with its cleverly named Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream. According to the brand, it combines avocado oil, manuka honey, and calendula oil to tackle blemishes, guard against environmental stress, and boost collagen , all in one nightly dose. After a full week of slathering it on before bed, I’m ready to share whether it’s genuinely worth the investment or just another product with a catchy name.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored review, and all thoughts here are entirely my own. I believe in sharing honest experiences, but skincare can vary from person to person depending on individual needs and sensitivities.
What Is Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream?
This product from Antipodes is designed to be used as part of a nighttime skincare regimen. Night creams in general are formulated to deliver intense hydration while you sleep, making use of the skin’s natural reparative cycle. Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream aims to address common concerns like dryness, blemishes, and environmental damage through key ingredients such as avocado oil, manuka honey, and calendula oil. By focusing on these targeted issues, the formula works overnight so you can potentially see smoother, more nourished skin by morning.
Did It Work?
In a very scientific fashion, I put my trusty night cream on pause for a few days so I could really see what Antipodes’ Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream had to offer. Applying a pea-sized amount after cleansing and toning every night for a full week, I was initially impressed by how rich and buttery it felt going on. The first couple of mornings, my skin looked nicely dewy but also a tad on the shiny side, which made me wonder if it would end up being too heavy.
After three or four days, I noticed subtle improvements in hydration, I didn’t wake up with that tight feeling I sometimes get after a lower-quality night cream. My cheeks felt smooth to the touch, and I appreciated the gentle, calming scent as part of my wind-down routine. By the week’s end, though, I realized it wasn’t addressing all my concerns as thoroughly as I’d hoped. While I did see some nourishing benefits, I didn’t experience a dramatic difference in my skin’s overall texture or clarity. And let’s just say the “collagen-boosting” claim felt less impactful than I’d anticipated.
In all honesty, I’m on the fence about whether it truly delivered on its big promises. It’s a fine option for those in search of solid hydration, but I’m not likely to add it to my own collection. Despite its lovely consistency and moisturizing elements, it didn’t stand out enough for me to make the switch permanently.
Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
Just as the name suggests, this formula leans on avocado oil to help promote collagen stimulation and support a softer, more resilient complexion. Avocado oil is known for its ability to deliver deep hydration, and its creamy consistency is a big reason this cream goes on so smoothly. Alongside it, calendula oil (extracted from marigold petals) brings soothing properties and helps protect against stressors like pollution, while also contributing moisture.
Manuka honey, another highlight in this blend, is credited with antibacterial effects that may aid in keeping blemishes under control. However, its presence in the formula means this product isn’t suitable for those strictly following a vegan lifestyle (though many vegetarians do include honey in their routines). Beyond honey, the presence of coconut oil raises a note for anyone concerned about potential pore-clogging ingredients: coconut oil is often listed as “comedogenic,” which simply means it can clog pores and potentially lead to breakouts if your skin is prone to them. To counteract that, there’s also macadamia nut oil, known for helping to lock in moisture without feeling too heavy.
A final point worth noting is the blend of essential oils, sandalwood, ylang ylang, and patchouli, that gives the product a distinctive aromatic profile. While they might enhance the sensory experience, those with particularly sensitive or easily irritated skin may want to patch-test first. Overall, the ingredient roster caters well to hydrating and calming the complexion, but if you already know your skin is sensitive to richer oils or essential oils, it’s wise to tread carefully.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
A quick rundown of the upsides and potential downsides, based on a week of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Rich, buttery texture that glides on smoothly
- Notable hydration, reducing that tight feeling by morning
- Soothing essential oil fragrances (sandalwood, ylang ylang, and patchouli) if you enjoy a gentle scent
- Inclusion of naturally derived ingredients like avocado oil, calendula oil, and manuka honey
What to Consider:
- May feel slightly heavy on some skin types
- Potential for clogged pores if your skin is prone to reacting poorly to coconut oil
- “Collagen-boosting” benefits may not be dramatically noticeable
- Certain oils and honey content may not suit strict vegan or very sensitive complexions
My Final Thoughts
Antipodes Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream might sound like the ultimate evening dream team, but after a week of consistent use (admittedly with a cheeky side-eye at some of its lofty claims), the impact on my skin wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped. A night cream can make or break a beauty routine, and this particular offering brings decent hydration, a soothing fragrance, and a delightfully buttery texture to the table. Despite that, my experience with several similar products makes me feel confident that I gave this one a fair chance, only to find some aspects a little lacking. This is a middle-of-the-road pick that has its charms but doesn’t quite soar above the rest. It lands at a personal rating of 6.5/10.
Who might enjoy it? Anyone seeking an indulgently rich formula that helps with surface-level hydration, especially if you appreciate a little aromatherapy come bedtime. However, for those aiming to reduce fine lines or address repeated breakouts, it may fall short in delivering life-changing results. It’s also worth mentioning that if your skin is prone to pore troubles, the heavier oils could be a potential pitfall.
After using more than a few night creams in my time, I can safely say I wouldn’t be in a rush to recommend this cream to a friend who’s on the hunt for serious transformations. It’s pleasant enough, but there are alternatives I’d suggest before this one. Among them is Nocturnal Revive Cream from Deascal, an excellent allrounder at a decent price point that I’ve found suitable for practically all skin types, thanks to its lightweight yet nourishing consistency. For a little luxury, I’ve also had promising results from Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS, while those desiring a strong hydration boost might enjoy Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream by Eucerin. If you’re looking for something beautifully moisturizing but with a more intensive feel, Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Intensive Restorative Crème by Estée Lauder is a personal favorite that seems to plump my skin a bit more effectively.
Anyone new to night creams should remember to consider factors like skin type, fragrance sensitivities, and how you react to richer oils. A quick patch test can help you avoid any undue breakouts or reactions, and it’s crucial to know that results take regular use and aren’t a “once and done” affair. Those who are comfortable with a little experimentation could certainly find Antipodes Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream worth a try, but for me, it just didn’t bring enough “wow” to earn a permanent spot on my shelf.