Maybe it’s a name you’ve heard bandied about on beauty blogs, or perhaps you’re a steadfast devotee of the signature purple-packaged skincare line. Either way, Emma Lewisham has become well known by skincare fanatics for its ethical ethos and powerhouse ingredients. Founded in 2019, the brand has made international waves as the world’s first certified climate-positive and 100% circular skincare brand.
We’ve handpicked our favourite products from the line and spoken to founder Emma Lewisham about what drives her passion for releasing all-natural and organic skincare – and what those words actually mean.
If you aren’t double cleansing with an oil cleanser, the rest of your skincare regime will suffer. This Emma Lewisam oil cleanser acts as a beautiful first cleanse to clean off every scrap of grime, oil, SPF, makeup – you name it – while leaving your skin feeling nourished and bouncy. Formulated with fatty acids and Vitamin E-rich ingredients like rosehip, macadamia and chia, the only thing it will leave behind is a dewy, fresh complexion.
Key ingredients:
- Organic Chia
- Camelia oil
- Rosehip
- Macadamia
- Neroli Absolute
Step away from the St Ives and pick this up instead. This gentle but effective exfoliator uses a combination of physical and chemical exfoliates to slough away dead skin cells, revealing the fresh glowy complexion underneath. AHAs (lactic acid) and BHAs (willow bark) loosen dead skin cells without irritation, while smooth jojoba beads gently buff away the debris without causing scouring or micro-tears.
One of our team members says this product has single-handedly made her look forward to washing her face, so take that as the only recommendation you need.
Key ingredients:
- Willow bark
- Lactic acid
- Jojoba beads
- Saccharide Isomerate
Plump, healthy skin requires collagen. As we age, we can lose a lot of that collagen, resulting in a loss of bounce and that youthful glow we all crave. Enter this super-rich moisturiser, which uses peptides to stimulate collagen production and help our skin’s natural repair process. It’s a gorgeous, rich formulation that nourishes the skin, even in winter. The specialised lipid complex supports the fortification of the skin barrier, which combines with advanced moisture-enhancing molecules, locked in hydration for up to 72 hours after application.
Key ingredients:
- Gigartina stellata
- Bakuchiol
- Alaria Esculenta Seaweed Peptides
- Saccharide Isomerate
Skin Reset Serum
$155
This serum was one of the first Emma Lewisham products to receive major hype, and it remains one of its best sellers for a reason. Skin Reset does what it says on the tin: it promises to even skin tone and improve pigmentation – which is common in NZ given our super strong sun exposure. Packed with plant extracts and loaded with vitamin C, it leaves a gorgeous glow on the skin. Hot tip: This is our favourite for under SPF and makeup during the day.
Key ingredients:
- Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil
- Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
- Niacinamide
Four years in the making, this nicknamed ‘botox in a bottle’ Supernatural Vitale Elixir, has been scientifically proven to reduce muscle contractions responsible for wrinkles by 91% in 24 hours. Described as a “revolutionary” facial muscle relaxant, the brand promises visible skin-filling results within five to seven days. Yes, the price point is a little eye-watering. But it’s worth it if you’re serious about skincare and the reduction and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles, and want a topical, more natural-looking alternative to injectables that gets to work with gusto.
Key ingredients:
- Topical Relaxant Complex
- Peptides
- Saccharide Isomerate
- 24-carat gold particles (yes, seriously)
Whilst you indulge in that multi-step skin routine for your face, don’t forget about your body! It needs love as well. You’ll find us slathering ourselves in this beautiful bronzing body oil to fake that golden glow that once only an island holiday could bring.
It is super nourishing and has a natural golden tint thanks to ethically sourced bronze mica. Be warned that the deep bronze tint can be a little startling on first application, but once it’s sheered out, it will leave you with golden-glowing limbs.
Key features:
- Macadamia, jojoba, and olive oils
- Green tea oil
- Shea butter
Want to know more about Emma Lewisham’s formulation process? We talked to the founder herself.
NTL: Where are Emma Lewisham products made, and what kind of testing goes into them?
“All our products are made in Auckland, New Zealand. Our formulations are at the forefront of scientific innovation. We invest in world-leading independent biomedical testing at both in vivo (clinical) and in vitro (laboratory) levels. The results of this testing routinely demonstrate our formulations to outperform category leaders, solidifying nature’s ability to deliver superior results.
NTL: Your products are ‘all-natural and organic’. What does this mean exactly? Why is this important to you?
“We use primarily natural and naturally derived ingredients with a select few nature-identical ingredients. We believe nature is the world’s most powerful bioengineer and the biological world is our greatest chemist. Our formulations harness pioneering natural ingredients, proven to drive change in the skin. Using the latest innovations that science has unlocked in nature, we are proud to prove that natural ingredients can deliver a new era of efficacy in skincare, plus are safe to use.
“Natural ingredients are classified as unmodified and physically obtained from nature, for example from plants or microorganisms. Naturally derived ingredients come from 100% natural ingredients but are modified from those found in nature using chemical reaction processes, and Nature Identical ingredients are ingredients that can be found in nature but that are reproduced in the laboratory.
“We prioritise using organic ingredients, with our products containing up to 80% organic ingredients.All Emma Lewisham products are free from Parabens and Phenoxyethanol, Artificial Preservatives, sodium laurel sulphate (SLS), and Artificial Fragrances. ”
NTL: Interesting! And how do you bring some of those principles into your everyday life?
“I truly believe that natural products are both safest for our wellbeing and that when formulated with the latest science can deliver the best results. In my everyday life, I use natural products in our home and try to eat fresh, organic produce as much as possible. ”
NTL: For those just jumping into the skincare world, which three products do you recommend beginning with?
“The three products I would recommend starting with from the Emma Lewisham range are our Illuminating Oil Cleanser, Skin Reset Serum, and Supernatural Crème Riche. ”
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