The ‘Emma Lewisham effect’: Founder of celebrity-beloved skincare empire sweeping the globe spills her secrets – and the routine she swears by

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At just 38 years old, Emma Lewisham runs one of the most beloved skin care companies in the world – an impressive feat in a saturated market and even more so for a brand launched in 2019.

And now the New Zealand mogul has spilled some of her top skincare secrets and told the story of how her eponymous brand went from unknown to sell-out celebrity ‘go-to’ seemingly overnight.

‘(Before the founding Emma Lewisham) I was working as a senior executive at a global technology company and the seed was planted when my doctor warned me against using certain skincare ingredients,” Emma told FEMAIL.

‘Having recently lost my mother to cancer and hoping to become pregnant, I was thinking about my health… it wasn’t until this conversation that I had considered this would include skin care.’

And now the New Zealand mogul has spilled some of her top skincare secrets, as well as the story of how her eponymous brand went from unknown to a sold-out celebrity go-to seemingly overnight.

Emma looked for formulations that were natural, so she didn’t have to make compromises. She was used to using high-quality, luxury products and quickly discovered that natural, evidence-based skin care did not exist.

So after discovering the work of Nobel Prize winner Frances H. Arnold, who recognized that nature was “the best bioengineer in history,” she was determined to unlock nature’s efficacy in skin care.

‘I think our success is due to a symphony of factors. Emma Lewisham came to market at a pivotal time for the beauty industry, when people started to think about their health and how they lived during Covid,” Emma said.

‘The market was ideally suited for the change we wanted to offer. We also offered something new, we were not just a brand, we had (and continue to) break new ground in skincare science and unlocked the power of nature.”

They have also made patented world-first discoveries, such as their live human skin probiotic in the Supernatural Blemish Serum…

Lara Worthington supports the brand and has long been the face of the company

THE BRAND FAVORITES

The brandLoved by the likes of Margot Robbie, Lara Worthington, Ali Simpson, Richie McCaw, Michelle Visage and Brooke Warne, it is best known for five key products: the Skin reset serum, Supernatural face cream Riche, Brightening oil cleanser, Supernatural facial oil and the Supernatural taint serum.

“I absolutely love all of our products for different reasons, but the product that holds a very special place in my heart is the Skin Reset Serum,” Emma confessed.

‘It was our base product that I developed in direct response to being unable to find a science-backed natural brightening product, and has since been independently proven to outperform some of the most recognized products on the market.’

Model Shanina Shaik is a fan of the brand, along with countless A-listers

“I absolutely love all of our products for different reasons, but the product that holds a very special place in my heart is the Skin Reset Serum,” Emma confessed

THE FOUNDER’S REGIME’

Emma changes her routines based on the seasons and always listens to what her skin needs. She currently follows a strict morning and evening routine for the New Zealand fall.

Morning

‘In the morning I start by cleansing with our Illuminating Oil Cleanser. Never underestimate the importance of cleansing in the morning, it’s so important to remove the excess oil and dead skin cells that have come off your skin overnight,” said Emma.

‘Having a clean foundation really helps your other products do their best. I use an organic cotton muslin cloth to remove my cleanser, which acts as a gentle daily exfoliator. Then I apply our latest formulation innovation (officially launching on April 30).

‘Then I apply my Skin Reset Eye Crème, followed by my Skin Reset Serum. Regardless of the season, I always finish my morning routine by applying our Skin Shield SPF30.”

‘In the morning I start by cleansing with our Illuminating Oil Cleanser. Never underestimate the importance of cleansing in the morning…’, said Emma

Evening

‘For my evening routine, I start with the Illuminating Oil Cleanser, followed by our Illuminating Exfoliant three nights a week, which I like to leave on for 15-20 minutes to let the AHAs and BHAs work,’ said Emma.

‘I then apply our new formula, followed by my Skin Reset Eye Crème and our advanced Supernatural Face Crème Riche. Then I finish with our Supernatural Face Oil. When my skin feels like it needs some extra TLC, I use our Supernatural Sleeping Mask.’

Think about it

Emma’s top five makeup products are: ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation, Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation & Concealer Stick, ILIA ‘NightLite Bronzing Powder’, Westman Atelier ‘Eye Want You’ Mascara and ILIA ‘Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm’.

“You will never find me on a flight without my Supernatural Sleep Mask in my carry-on,” said Emma

trip

Emma’s travel skincare secret is the Supernatural Sleeping Mask.

“Flying is incredibly drying on the skin because you have to sit in intense air conditioning for so long (especially if you’re flying long distances),” she said.

‘So when it comes to skin care, it’s all about keeping your skin as nourished and hydrated as possible. You will never find me on a flight without my Supernatural Sleep Mask in my carry-on luggage.”

EMMA’S DIETARY RULES FOR GLOWING SKIN

“I really make it a priority to nourish my body with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Emma.

‘I avoid gluten and refined sugars, I drink plenty of water and believe that holistic wellness practices such as exercise, meditation and other stress relief tools have a huge impact on our overall health and wellbeing.

‘Brightening skin is a nice bonus that comes from a healthy lifestyle.’

”I avoid gluten and refined sugars, I drink plenty of water and believe that holistic wellness practices such as exercise, meditation and other stress relief tools have a huge impact on our overall health and wellbeing,” said Emma

SKIN CARE FAUX PAS

Emma says the biggest mistake when it comes to having the healthiest skin is not wearing SPF every day.

“UV rays are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cause of premature skin aging,” she said.

‘In addition to applying SPF every day (even in winter), I wish more people would realize that real beauty is an inside job.’

THE ‘EMMA EFFECT’

Emma says the success of the business is threefold.

‘Firstly, we formulate skin care fundamentally differently, taking a skin physiological approach instead of an ingredient-based approach. Developed by physiologists for the complex physiology of the skin, our patented Physiology Synchrony Unlock (PSU) Method™ mirrors the way the skin works,” says Emma.

‘Secondly, there is the unparalleled independent scientific testing, which validates the performance behind each of our products. Our natural formulations are at the forefront of scientific innovation, and we are truly breaking new ground and bringing new discoveries to market, such as a living probiotic for the skin.

‘Thirdly, we are truly a thoughtful, innovative and passionate brand that is leading the transition of the skincare industry to a more sustainable one. As a registered B Corporation and the world’s first certified climate-positive and 100 percent circular skincare brand, we prove that being sustainable and taking responsibility for everything we produce is not only possible but also prosperous. Our sustainability achievements have earned us personal support from Dr. Jane Goodall.”

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