We take sustainability seriously!
Over the past 30 years, Atopis founder and CEO Dr Iona Weir has worked as a scientist on a number of exciting conservation and sustainability initiatives, including the development of sustainable packaging solutions, and the remediation of toxic mining sites across various Oceanic countries. She's also visited palm oil plantations in Indonesia and seen firsthand the environmental impact of palm oil production – which is why you'll never find palm oil in our products!
Sustainability is a deep value of Atopis, and it's inherent in all that we do. As a natural scientific-based skincare company we have a huge responsibility to protect and treasure our natural environment and to preserve it for our kids – and their kids.
Below we've shared some of the steps we're taking to ensure the integrity of our skincare ingredients, and the sustainability of our business practices.
1. Sustainable packaging solutions
Our skincare tubes are made from 100% sugarcane plastic – a renewable, recyclable and carbon-free source. Sugarcane actually absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere like trees do, making it a much earth-friendlier alternative to fossil fuel-based polymers.
We're also in the process of carrying out our own 'in-house' testing of recycled plastic packaging, and we plan to increase our use of recycled plastics once we're certain that they meet our high standards of stability.
We use biodegradable courier bags that you can compost at home. Here's a handy tip: simply put your courier bags in the sun to speed up the composting process.
Last but not least, we've strengthened the materials used to manufacture our beautiful skincare boxes so we don't need to use as many when we're sending out products to you!
2. Pure botanicals tracked to their source
We use only the highest quality natural ingredients – many of which are native to New Zealand and sourced locally on our back-door step (literally). Every ingredient that goes into Atopis skincare is grown sustainably and we work in partnership with local iwi (Māori) to ensure we protect our biologically unique native plant-life. We also use a special collection process that ensures there's no wastage.
3. 100% natural and toxin-free - zero nasties!
When we say we're natural, we really mean it. Atopis products are free from parabens, fillers, solvents, fragrance, silicone, SLS or synthetic chemicals that could harm your health or your skin. Because we have to meet stringent OTC (over-the-counter) FDA registrations in the USA, you can be sure (and have peace of mind) that every single ingredient meets these very high regulatory standards.
4. 100% cruelty-free skincare
We never, ever test on animals! Instead we use incredible, high-tech, 3D skin cell culture fluorescent imaging – which allows us to grow living skin in the lab and observe cellular changes – to test our Myrecil® technology and perfect our products before they reach your skin. For any ingredients that we source externally, we undertake rigorous research to make sure they meet our exacting cruelty-free standards!
Your skin loves Vitamin C!
With its super-charged antioxidant and collagen synthesis powers, Vitamin C really is a natural wonder-worker when it comes to your skin. It deeply hydrates, brightens and enhances skin texture – and perhaps most importantly, it addresses the visible effects of too much UV exposure (think pigmentation, dark spots and fine lines) and strengthens your skin's natural defence mechanism by neutralizing free radicals.
In the notes below, we shared more on why we love Vitamin C - and why healthy, balanced, glowing skin does too!
Brighter, happier skin with Vitamin C!
Vitamin C is one of the superstar multi-actives in Atopis' patented botanical ferment Myrecil®, which is contained in most Atopis creams. It's also one of the skin-brightening staples in our new Atopis Radiant Balance Night Cream and Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream.
Vitamin C comes in many different structural forms; the form that helps to erase those sun spots and reduce pigmentation is an unstable form. Atopis night creams contain this form of Vitamin C (the purest form there is!), so to protect its potency and to keep it stable until it comes in contact with your skin, we have used our novel technology to micro-encapsulate it into a liposome. This enhances its penetration into the skin cells and also enables us to combine it with the creams' other active ingredients for powerful skin change.
With its powerful antioxidant properties, Vitamin C works with your skin's natural biology to:
✓ Reverse skin cell damage by promoting collagen synthesis
✓ Lighten age spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage
✓ Replenish vital sources of Vitamin E - an important antioxidant
✓ Protect skin from oxidative stress (free-radical damage)
✓ Visibly improve skin elasticity and suppleness
✓ Hydrate and brighten skin for enhanced radiance!
Atopis' unique approach to adding Vitamin C to our skincare protects the active ingredients from oxidation and light to maintain its integrity and allow it to absorb deeply into your skin cells in its purest, most effective form.
Go on – treat your skin to the ultra-brightening and protective benefits of nature's gold, Vitamin C!
What makes our night creams unique?
One of the key things that makes our Radiant Balance Night Cream and Intensive Restore Night Cream so unique is that we've rolled all the big anti-ageing ingredients your skin could possibly need into one high performing night cream (most night creams have just one or two hero ingredients!).
This required some high-tech science and innovation using natural ingredients - we explain it in more detail below!
Cellular-level skin renewal
We've developed and patented our own cellular (micellar) delivery technology, which wraps around the hero ingredients in the creams, protects them and carries them through your skin’s barrier to nourish and rejuvenate the skin cells deep below. Forget layering up your serums and night creams - this science allows all the big anti-ageing ingredients (think ceramides, Vitamin C, Myrecil® and hyaluronic acid) to be put together in one cream, repairing skin at the cellular level with incredible efficacy.
Synergistic, patented ingredients
When we sleep, our bodies get to work doing the grunt work of restoring, repairing and rejuvenating. That goes for our skin too. Atopis night creams contain Myrecil®, our patented botanical ferment that works in synergy with your immune system to slow skin ageing, boost hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, and rebalance your skin's microbiome – all while you sleep!
The power of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a star player when it comes to skin regeneration and it's especially powerful for correcting pigmentation and sun damage. Our night creams utilise the power of the purest, highest grade of Vitamin C there is, and we add it to our creams using a unique method, developed by Dr Weir, that protects the Vitamin C from oxidation. This means it reaches your skin cells in its pure form for a vibrant boost of antioxidant power.
Pure, potent extracts
Atopis night creams are 100% natural and plant-based – but they're anything but simple formulations. We create our own powerful plant bioactive extracts (sourced by us from New Zealand forests) using incredible patented technology that delivers pure flavonoids. This is a far cry from traditional extraction methods and ensures the plant extracts are as pure and potent as they can be, delivering maximum benefits to your skin.
Six ways to boost skin hydration
If you've noticed your skin is lacking its usual youthful lustre, it could simply be telling you it's thirsty!
As we move into a new season (winter) and start to crank the heating, most people's skin will become a little drier and demand more moisture than usual. While wrinkles are a tell-tale sign of skin thinning and UV and environmental damage, when combined with the changes in air temperature throughout winter, those wrinkles (especially the smile lines around your eyes!) will appear deeper than ever. Older skin in particular will feel the moisture-sucking effects of seasonal changes.
The good news is, skin hydration is an easy one to improve. Hydrating your skin properly will help to increase cell turnover and boost your skin’s natural defence functions, while also making it appear much firmer, plumper and brighter.
Here are our 6 top tips for hydrating your skin from the inside out.
1. Gobble that H20
Super simple, right? It’s often easier said than done, but drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will go a long way towards helping to keep your skin nourished and in gorgeous condition. Especially during the winter months as we move between cold outside temperatures and warmer inside temperatures, adequate water intake is key to ensuring your skin (and lips) don’t get parched.
2. Look for products with hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is your skin's hydration hero! It's a water-attracting molecule that’s naturally present in your skin cells and helps to draw in and carry vital moisture. As we age, our stores of hyaluronic acid deplete, which is one of the reasons why our skin feels drier and loses plumpness. For an intense hyaluronic acid boost, try Atopis skin creams containing Myrecil® – our unique botanical ferment that's patented and clinically proven to boost hyaluronic acid production at the cellular level for visibly plumper, healthier and more radiant skin.
3. Limit coffee and alcohol
Caffeine and booze might be your fastest routes to energy or relaxation, but unfortunately, they are among the worst offenders when it comes to dehydrating skin. Caffeine and booze are diuretics, which means they naturally deplete the water content in your body and skin. Alcohol is also known to interfere with the hormone vasopressin, the mechanism that helps to regulate the water stores in your body.
4. Use a gentle cleanser
Your cleanser should leave your skin feeling soft and calm - never dry or irritated. Try a hard-working but gentle cleanser like Atopis Thoroughly Gentle Cleanser twice daily, to remove impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of moisture or natural oils. And don't forget to rinse off with lukewarm water (not hot) to ensure you're not undoing the calming work of your cleanser.
5. Exfoliate gently & regularly
If there’s an excess of dead skin cells sitting on the top layer of your skin, it might not be soaking in your hydrating ingredients as optimally as it could be. Use a gentle exfoliator at least once a week to slough off dead skin cells and allow your moisturiser or creams to penetrate the epidermis and renew moisture in the base layers of your skin.
6. Embrace eye creams
Eye creams aren't just for older skin! The skin around your eyes is thinner than most other parts of your complexion and therefore it becomes dehydrated much quicker. Smile lines and crows feet are more noticeable when you're skin's not adequately hydrated and that can age your face tremendously. Try a high-quality, concentrated eye cream like Atopis Intensive Renewal Eye Cream daily to help nourish, plump and brighten the delicate skin around your eyes.
Day creams vs night creams: What's the difference?
Unsure what the difference is between the moisturiser you apply in the morning and the one you slather on before bed – and whether or not you really need both? We're here to help! Below we've unpacked some of the key differences between the purpose, texture and ingredients in day creams and night creams, and how to use both for plump, glowing and radiant skin!
Protection vs Repair
Day creams create a line of defence against environmental culprits like UV light, blue light, pollution, cold, wind and bacteria, and they help to rebalance the skin’s microbiome to keep skin clear and healthy. Night creams contain ingredients that do their best work while you sleep, helping to reverse skin damage and regenerate vital supplies of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin’s epidermis. The antioxidant-rich ingredients in night creams help to neutralise those cheeky free radicals that contribute to skin cell damage and ageing, and they help to hydrate and brighten skin.
Creamy vs Gel-like
Since we don’t usually wear makeup while we sleep, night creams can be thicker and heavier in texture than their silkier daytime counterparts. Atopis Night Creams contains algal sphingolipids (the gel from seaweed) which gives them a delicate gel-like consistency, and most importantly, allows for the ingredients to be absorbed deeply into the repair-centre of your skin cells for serious cell renewal.
The Retinoid factor
Retinoids boost hyaluronic in the skin cells (giving skin support and plumpness), however, they have a tendency to make skin sensitive to sun – which means they're not ideal for daytime wear. We've found a way around that though! Atopis day creams contain Myrecil®, which delivers all the benefits of retinoids, but without the nasty drawbacks. Since there’s no concern about sun exposure while you’re asleep, our night creams contain pure, high-quality retinol paired synergistically with Myrecil®, giving you all the skin-plumping power but without the side effects.
Your night cream questions answered
Our hard-working all-in-one night creams have been flying off the shelves and we’re loving all your feedback and questions.
From start to finish, these products have been scientifically designed, developed and tested to deeply repair, nourish, plump and firm your skin, restoring that youthful skin radiance you dream of.
If you’ve already purchased a night cream, or you’re thinking of trying one for the first time, have a read over our Frequently Asked Questions below to make sure you get the best results for your skin!
Q: Can I use my Atopis night cream during the day as well?
A: No. Atopis night creams are formulated with potent active ingredients that do their best work while you sleep and while your body is in repair-mode. Using them during the day-time will make your skin sun sensitive and the UV exposure will degrade the cream's active ingredients. You may also find your makeup smudges with night cream underneath it.
Q: Which cream should I use?
A: If you’re using Atopis Radiant Balance cream during the day, then use Radiant Balance Night Cream at night, and follow the same principle with the Intensive Restore range. Radiant Balance is designed for younger skin (20s onwards) and is especially efficacious for skin that’s prone to rosacea or acne flare-ups. Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream is designed for mature skin that needs a deeper dose of plumping power and cellular rejuvenation.
Q: How much should I use?
A: These creams are mega concentrated so you only need to apply a thin layer each use.
Q: Why does my night cream feel slightly runny?
A: Atopis night creams contain sphingolipids and phospholipids, which give them a serum-like textural quality and allow them to be deeply absorbed into your skin cells. This is where the magic happens! Our creams are also enriched with ceramides which are lipids (fats) and contribute to the cream's slightly runny texture.
Q: Can I use the night creams with my other Atopis skincare?
A: Yes, they're designed to work in synergy with other Atopis products. So if for example, you're using our Rosehip Renewal Face Oil or Acne Prone Skin Cream, simply massage in your oil or cream first, then apply your night cream over the top. Remember to just use just a small amount of rosehip oil each time to prevent it from drying out your skin. And always remember to wear a SPF50+ sunscreen - even on cloudy days!
Q: Do the night creams contain retinol?
A: Yes! We've used the highest quality pure form of retinol in synergy with our patented ingredient Myrecil®. The two ingredients work together to enhance and strengthen each other - boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and softening skin. They're all-natural ingredients with no nasty side effects. These creams are very concentrated, so just use a thin layer each time.
Q: Will the night cream help with my pigmentation?
A: Yes! Atopis Night Creams contain the highest grade of German Vitamin C to help banish age spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
They also contain seaweed gel (which gives them their gel-like feel), which helps to lock in vital moisture and powerfully hydrate ageing skin. We harvest the seaweed, extract the gel and combine it with ceramides and phospholipids to create a lipid gel matrix. Similar to aloe vera gel, seaweed gel has incredible healing properties, targeting skin in need of intense nourishment and repair 🍃 For normal skin this seaweed matrix gel is non-comedogenic and ensures your skin remains supple and hydrated.
Q: Do I need to use a serum as well as my Atopis night cream?
A: No! Just the one night cream is all you need. All of the big anti-ageing ingredients (think ceramides, Vitamin C, Myrecil® and hyaluronic acid) are combined in the one night cream for ultimate skin repair, hydration and rejuvenation at the cellular level.
Q: What's the fragrance of Atopis night creams?
A: The lovely aroma you can smell is the combination of the creams' natural ingredients. We haven't used much natural fragrance (only a teeny, tiny amount) as the product itself has its own unique aroma.
Q: Can I use Atopis night creams during pregnancy?
A: Atopis Night Creams contain high quality retinol. Although there is no scientific evidence to date that shows that topical retinol is unsafe during pregnancy, we would urge you to err on the side of caution and use another Atopis product instead. Oral retinols are not considered safe during pregnancy.
Please note: The foundational ingredient Myrecil® in Atopis creams has been fully tested and proven safe in two clinical trials focused on safety and efficacy, and is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
My skincare journey: Tackling cystic acne
"I tried everything to treat my cystic acne. Nothing worked. But I'm glad I didn't give up."
We received this heartfelt message from a customer who achieved incredible skin results from using Atopis Acne Prone Skin Cream. Her message and before and after photos are shown below:
"I can’t tell you how miserable I was in the before photos. I feel the after photos don’t do justice to how much better my skin is, especially the texture. The before photos were taken in July 2019 and I have been using Atopis products since then. I’ve never had any treatments or Botox etc, I am 50 years old and although these are the most unflattering photos, most people cannot believe I’m 50. Not bad for enduring 40 years of cystic acne. Thank you for your work to develop this skincare!"
Atopis founder Dr Iona Weir talked to US-based dermatologist Dr Nico Mousdicas about some of the key contributors to cystic acne and rosacea. Here's what he had to say:
"When I see cases of acne I always look for precipitating or aggravating factors. If the patient is female, I ask if she is experiencing worsening of symptoms prior to her menstrual cycle. The second half of the menstrual cycle causes a surge of progesterone and that is known to have androgenic properties.
I ask about if they take any over-the-counter (OTC) oral medications as there is a long list of reported worsening of acne from iodides, bromides, Vitamin B12 and other ingredients.
I ask about their milk consumption as the whey protein in milk stimulates insulin like growth factor 1, which increases testosterone. Chocolate is also a known aggravator in some patients!
Even if a patient is slim, I would try temporarily removing insulin from the diet (or recommend a carbohydrate-restricted diet) to make sure we are not dealing with insulin resistance. Gut health is reflected in our skin and cutting out gluten may help some people as this causes leaky gut, as shown by Professor Alessio Fasano, not only in celiacs but in many other people.
I would ask about mood; if they are stressed, depressed, what their sleep patterns are like and if they do any activities to relieve stress, as these factors all have a major role to play in inflammatory skin disorders. Stress stimulates ACTH which has stimulating effects on the melanocytes and can be a cause of melasma (dark patches on the skin). There is now talk that visible light from too much exposure to electronic screens can also precipitate melasma. An option to consider is using a physical sunblock and placing blue light screen on devices or having the light emitted reduced.
Incorporating holistic lifestyle changes is also really important for good skin!"
Dr Nico Mousdicas, Dermatologist.