Elizabeth Barbalich — Antipodes NZ

Dry skin, and her inability to find anything natural on the market to help, was behind Elizabeth Barbalich’s decision to start experimenting with making her own natural products.

Barbalich (below right) says she saw a niche for “a cool, avant-garde brand that elevated skincare to the next level”.

In the lead-up to the 2006 launch of her business, Antipodes New Zealand, she mixed dozens of trial formulas at home and experimented on her own dry and sensitive skin.

The result was a unique range of certified organic and vegan skincare and makeup. Products are made from premium ingredients from nature, and Barbalich, who has a background in science, has had her claims validated by independent scientific testing.

And she is constantly tweaking her range.

“Our best anti-ageing natural skincare features new scientific discoveries like revolutionary Vinanza® antioxidant extracts. These super-charge our anti-ageing face creams and ultra care serums,” she says.

At the start, she sold the products herself, travelling the country selling direct to retailers.

Today the company sells in nearly 20 countries. Key markets include Australia, Britain, China, Hong Kong and France.