Antipodes Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen

Where I got it

I was sent this as PR from the team at Antipodes NZ and I was beyond excited when they emailed me about their brand-new sunscreen launch! Finally, Antipodes has launched its very first sunscreen product! I believe they previously had a face and body moisturiser with SPF (15?)  and I do not use anything less than SPF30. The new SPF is $62, available from the antipodesnature.com website as well as Chemist Warehouse, etc.

What I got

This is the Antipodes Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen (60ml). 100% natural-origin sun protection for your face in a water-resistant broad-spectrum UVA + UVB mineral sunscreen. Shield your skin whilst guarding against damage that leads to premature ageing. Delivering a luminous finish with no white cast, the next-generation sunscreen sits beautifully under makeup and is primed with nourishing plant oils and Ceramide III, which work to increase lipid content and soften signs of ageing. Help to minimise hyperpigmentation and foster an even-toned complexion, naturally. No added fragrance. – www.antipodesnature.com.

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 227.5 mg/g Excipients: Medium Chain Triglycerides, Castor oil, Coco octanoate/decanoate, Coconut oil, Candelilla wax, Hydrogenated castor oil, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, Isostearic acid, Cetostearyl alcohol, Ceramide 3.

How I find it

I have been using Antipodes skincare on and off for over 10 years and I have seen them progress through the years with amazing products, ethos and environmental impacts. Recently, they have been developing many new and amazing products to extend that already impressive range of products. In 2024, they finally developed an SPF50 product for the face and it is a very elegant formula. Let’s take deeper look into it.

The sunscreen is in a jar, which is not very common at all. Usually we see it in tubes or pump bottles, but this sunscreen has a rather thick, balm-like consistency. Even though it looks like a balm, but it melts upon contact and blends out like a silky cream. It contains no additional fragrance, so there is a slight sunscreen scent, but not overpowering. The Ceramide Silk sunscreen does have a slight white colour upon application, but as you blend it out it dissapears. Just be mindful that the more you apply, the more visible that white cast will be.

The texture of the sunscreen is indeed very silky on the skin and leaves an obvious glow to the skin. It may not be suitable for everyone because 10 years ago I would’ve stayed well away from a formula like this. It feels silky on the skin, almost an oily kind of feeling if you know what I mean. It’s not a slick, greasy feeling, but a moisturised sort of feeling. I love the glow it leaves on my skin and all I need after that is a bit of concealer, dewy blush and a little bit of powdering on my nose and forehead and I’m good to go. I don’t even need a highlighter.

Since this is a dewy finish sunscreen, I would opt for a similar finish foundation that is sheer to medium coverage. I like the dewiness to shine through, looking like real skin. It wouldn’t be a long-wearing makeup day because things kind of slip and slide around over a silky base, but I’m not mad at it.

Overall

Overall I am enjoying this sunscreen more and more as I find my perfect amount to apply and my perfect moisturiser and foundation combination over this. One time I just applied the sunscreen without a moisturiser underneath and my skin actually felt a little dehydrated after a few hours at work. My skin felt tight, but the surface was slightly oily to the touch. After that experience, I have not used this on it’s own, always over a moisturiser. I would say that I hope Antipodes would further improve the texture of this SPF to be less moisturising and a bit more light and hydrating. That would be amazing for combination/oily skin types and would be perfect for warmer temperatures.