Better than Botox? Women swear by Antipodes cream that can fake their age

If you're not keen on injecting your face, this super hydrating day cream is just as good. The reviews speak for themselves.

Not keen on Botox? Women swear this face cream is just as good. Images: Supplied

Getting older sucks. But you know what sucks even more? Being in denial about the whole thing and doing too much to your face to make you look younger. Just ask Courteney Cox. 

 

The former Friends star has been very vocal about overdoing it on the fillers and has stated how much she regrets not embracing aging gracefully. 

Now, having said that. A lot of us (us, meaning tired mums with ALL of the bags and ALL of the wrinkles) are constantly searching for that 'miracle cream' which can not only fake a good night's sleep but also our age. No expensive fillers needed. 

Aaaaannd.... we think we've found it. 

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Lime Caviar Collagen-Rich Firming Cream by Antipodes will leave your skin feeling tight and fresh. Images: Antipodes / Supplied

The firming cream that is replacing expensive fillers

Beauty bloggers have been praising a cream by New Zealand beauty brand, Antipodes, for its anti-aging properties. 

The Lime Caviar Collagen-Rich Firming Cream is a moisturiser that promises to plump up your skin and soften wrinkles in a way that fillers might - just way more subtle and cheaper!

According to the Antipodes website, the cream boasts "impressive collagen benefits" that are all "back by science." The AHA moisturiser is certified organic and vegan, and is suitable for most skin types, especially dry and mature.

The online reviews speak for themselves: 

"Love the smooth texture and how it makes my skin feel hydrated. Early stages of use, but feel it’s already improved the appearance of my skin. It’s giving me the confidence to try other Antipodes products," one fan commented on the Antipodes website. 

"I have been using a week morning and night and I already see a difference in my skin. Smooth, lines diminished plus a lovely radiance I can’t wait to use it for longer. If you have maturing skin please try this," another wrote. 

And another reviewer claimed: "I use a light application in the morning as it is a rich thick cream. This particular product smells sweet and like a collagen powder. I think my skin/face look more fuller. Easy and smooth product."

"It definitely tightens the skin and I'm pretty sure the wrinkles starting to appear around the creases of my eyes when I smile have improved," another said. 

Antipodes' Lime Caviar cream is so firming and smells divine. Image: Supplied

Is this cream ACTUALLY better than Botox? 

Keen to see if all the hype was true, we decided to put the cream - which retails for $56 (60ml) at Priceline -to the test using four different women with very different skin. 

Up first was me... a 41-year-old mum-of-two, who up until about six years ago, used a cake of soap to wash my face and whatever moisturiser smelt nice at Coles. My very basic skincare routine also meant that Botox or any sort of filler wasn't exactly high up on my list.

My first reaction when using the cream was that it was thick. Like, very thick! For someone who doesn't normally like too much on her skin, I knew it would be an adjustment.

My skin went through a bit of an unsettled period when I first began using it, with many breakouts around my chin and cheeks. A bit rich for nighttime, perhaps? I then decided to switch to daytime use only and found my skin was much happier. 

After around two weeks of applying it daily, I was able to see a difference in my skin tone. My skin was smoother, more even, and glowing without make-up. And firmer? Most definitely! That firmness everyone has been raving about is instant and if it means I don't have to inject anything into my face, I'm all in!

Mum-of-one Nama, 47, has always had an even skin tone but knows her skin craves moisture in her daily routine. 

"When I was handed this little jar, I was told how it's very firming. I didn’t get what the lady meant - never having used a firming cream - until I applied it," she revealed. 

"Honestly, my skin felt so moisturised by this dense, divine-smelling cream. Hydration is my number one feeling my face craves, and this cream did the job in a way very few others have. And I have tried A LOT of skin care in all price ranges."

A few applications later and Nama was converted. 

"I fell in love with the firming feeling. I felt a noticeable difference, especially around my eyes, of my smile lines not being so prominent when I smiled," she revealed. 

"That’s not something I have cared about - accepting my aging face as it is - but it was definitely a bonus."

The reviews are in and the wrinkles are getting less visible on Nama (left), El (middle) and Leah (right). Image: Supplied

Eleanour, 27, who has had Botox in the past but couldn't justify the ongoing cost, was also keen to give the firming cream a go. 

"I was super keen. Botox is an expensive habit to upkeep so I was more than ready to try a natural approach that promised similar results," she revealed. 

"I love how rich and creamy this was and how it felt like my skin was instantly hydrated soon after applying."

And just like everyone else before her, the cream began working almost instantly. 

"After about five minutes, I physically felt my skin tightening up which, personally, I love because I know it's getting to work and actually doing something. My fine lines and creases around my eyes and in between my brows were definitely softened after a while and my forehead was so glowy, it was basically reflective.

Mum-of-two Charlotte, 35, has fairer skin so pigmentation has never really been a huge issue for her. But after reports of how important AHAs are in a skincare routine, decided it was time to add a bit more to her beauty regime. 

"I've been using it in the mornings after my daily serum and before my tinted SPF for about two weeks now. The one change that's really noticeable right now is my skin tone - it's brighter and more even," Charlotte revealed.

"I'm hoping as I continue to use, I'll start to see this plumper, super hydrated skin - and perhaps even something happening to those overtired 'weary mum' fine lines - that others are talking about."

This review is not at all sponsored, we genuinely wanted to try the product and were pleasantly surprised that the reviews were true. 

Originally published as Better than Botox? Women swear by Antipodes cream that can fake their age