How do I return or exchange a product?
Please view our Returns Policy for how to return or exchange a purchase.
I purchased your products at an authorised retailer, can I return them to you?
Unfortunately, you cannot return products to us if you purchased from an authorised retailer. Please return them via the authorised retailer you originally purchased from, within 14 days of purchase. For more information, please see our Returns Policy.
What if I received an order with broken items or my package is missing?
If your product was delivered damaged, please contact us at hello@emmalewisham.co.nz and provide a photo of the damage. On confirmation of the damage, we will arrange for the product to be collected, and the damaged product will be replaced.
If your product is missing, please first double check around the property and with your neighbours. If this cannot be found, please contact us at hello@emmalewisham.co.nz, and we will try to track the item through our shipping provider. You can speed up this process by contacting NZ Post directly at www.courierpost.co.nz/track/track-and-trace, or for Australian orders www.auspost.com.au and providing your tracking number and other information requested.
We cannot send a new product until the original has been confirmed missing, and are unable to assist for damaged and missing products outside the 14 day return policy timeframe, and without a photo of the broken or damaged product.
Please view our Returns Policy for more information.
What is the philosophy behind your formulations?
We think about skincare formulations differently. Our formulations are rooted in a deep knowledge of the science and physiology of skin. Our skin is alive and dynamic, and we understand the complex network of processes and activities that sit behind each skin concern. To effectively solve a skin concern, understanding this physiology is essential. We have flipped the standard approach to formulating skincare on its head. We fundamentally think about skin formulations differently. Traditionally, skincare has been developed by starting with a focus on 1-2 singular active ingredients and then determining the potency required to deliver results. The results are typically one dimensional, meaning the formulation is designed to target a singular activity within the skin process behind a particular skin concern. Our formulations are fundamentally different as we’ve moved beyond this approach, where instead of starting with a focus on ingredients, we start with a focus on the physiology of the skin. We determine the complex combinations of multiple active ingredients needed to effectively target the activities within the skin process behind a particular skin concern. This pioneering, skin-first approach, works in synergy with the complex skin process to deliver superior, more powerful results. Developed by scientists and physiologists with over 100 years combined experience, our formulas are engineered with up to 25 meticulously chosen ingredients that individually perform a function, but in synergy work to amplify each other to provide superior results. The most powerful way to interact with the skin is by harnessing nature, therefore we only use natural ingredients, harnessing both bio-identical ingredients found within the skin as well as the specialised, scientifically proven natural plant extracts. These bio-active ingredients work in harmony with the skin to trigger powerful cellular responses that deliver unparalleled results.
Where are Emma Lewisham products made?
Our products are made in beautiful New Zealand, and are packed with powerful and high quality natural and safe ingredients sourced from around the globe.
Are your formulations certified?
You can see which certifications a specific product holds, on its product page. Our products comply with rigorous international standards. Learn more about our ingredients here.
What ingredients don't you use?
All our products are free from: synthetic chemicals, GMO, toxins, fillers, artificial colours, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, DEA, petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicones, formaldehyde, triclosan, and chemical screens. We are free from phenoxyethanol.
None of our products contain microbeads. We only use natural, biodegradable Jojoba wax beads which can be found in our Illuminating Exfoliant.
Our formulations do contain benzyl salicylate, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool in very low concentrations as constituents of our essential oils. It’s worth noting that the EWG (Environmental Working Group) rating for these, refer only to the individual constituents extracted in a lab from the essential oil, or synthetically replications. The ratings are not applicable to our formulas, as we never use extracted or synthetic constituents, only the pure naturally occurring essential oil.
Does Emma Lewisham use essential oils?
Our formulations contain benzyl salicylate, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, farnesol, and limonene in very low concentrations as constituents of our essential oils within our natural fragrances.
What is the pH of your products?
- Skin Reset Serum is between pH 4-5.5
- Skin Reset Eye Crème is between pH 4-5.5
- Skin Shield SPF 30 is between pH 7.5-8.5
- Supernatural Face Crème Riche is between pH 4-5.5
- Supernatural Day Crème is between pH 4-5.5
- Supernatural Vitale Elixir is between pH 4-5.5
- Supernatural Sleeping Mask is between pH 4-5.5
- Illuminating Exfoliant is between pH 4-5.5
- Oil products have no pH value.
Are your products biocompatible?
All of our products are tested to ensure that they are biocompatible - meaning that they have a pH level as close as possible to the natural pH level of our skin. Our skin is an incredibly delicate organ and, just like every other organ, it works best in a certain environment. In our skin’s case, we talk about this environment in terms of a pH level. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with all Emma Lewisham products sitting between 4 and 8 - in line with the optimum pH being just below a 5 (as published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science) and 7 being considered ‘neutral’. The closer the pH level of a product is to that of our natural skin, the more effective it is in gently exfoliating skin cells to keep our skin looking beautifully bright and smooth.
What fragrances are used in Emma Lewisham products?
Our fragrance comes from botanicals – we only use natural oil blends and extracts. No synthetic perfumes or fragrances are used.
Are your ingredients natural and organic?
Emma Lewisham is a natural skincare brand. Developed by scientists and physiologists with over 100 years combined experience, our formulas are engineered with up to 25 meticulously chosen ingredients that are individually efficacious, but in combination work to amplify each other to provide next generation results. The most powerful way to interact with the skin is naturally, therefore we only use natural ingredients, harnessing both bio-identical ingredients found within the skin as well as the specialised, scientifically proven natural plant extracts. These bio-active ingredients work in harmony with the skin to trigger powerful cellular responses that deliver unparalleled results. Except for our SPF which is 98% natural, our ingredients have one essential characteristic: they can be found in nature. The definition of natural by NATRUE who are an International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association who certify natural and organic cosmetics worldwide is classified in 3 ways:
1. Natural ingredients are those to which only physical processes or fermentation have been applied.
2. Derived natural ingredients are the result of chemical processes of natural ingredients.
3. Nature-identical ingredients can be either pigments, minerals or preservatives. They are reproduced in the laboratory but exist in nature.
Emma Lewisham uses predominantly natural and naturally derived ingredients - and one natural identical ingredient (vitamin B3) in our Skin Reset Serum.
For our preservative system we use: Dehydroacetic Acid (and) Benzyl Alcohol. NaTrue certified preservatives for natural and organic cosmetic, ECOCERT & COSMOS compliant, Soil Association approved. Dehydroacetic acid is found in nature in the flowers of the solandra species. Benzyl alcohol is a constituent found in many pure essential oils, and also in fruits and teas.
Can Emma Lewisham products be used on children?
Generally, we recommend using only small amounts of skincare products on young children.
Our formulations do not contain: synthetic chemicals, GMO, toxins, fillers, artificial colours, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, DEA, petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicones, formaldehyde, triclosan, and chemical screens. We are free from phenoxyethanol.
This means Emma Lewisham products are suitable for children, particularly our sun protection (SPF) products. If your child has any allergies or skin conditions we advise you to consult your doctor or pharmacist and show them the ingredient list. You can find a full ingredient list on the product’s information page.
Are your products suitable for pregnant women and for women who are breastfeeding?
Yes. The Emma Lewisham range is generally suitable to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In fact, Emma herself has used these products while pregnant and during breastfeeding.
We recommend patch testing before first use if you want to be cautious. We also recommend you consult with your doctor or pharmacist and show them the ingredient list. You can find a full ingredient list on the product’s information page.
We do use essential oils, but generally only in very minimal concentrations within our natural fragrance.
Are your products gluten free?
We have not formulated to be gluten free, and some ingredients are wheat-derived across our range. For customers with gluten sensitivities we cannot guarantee that the raw materials and ingredients we use across the Emma Lewisham range are gluten free.
We recommend if you have sensitive skin or allergies that you do a patch test first or consult your medical practitioner before using any new skincare product. If your skin is not responding well to one of our products, including irritation, please discontinue use and contact a medical practitioner.
I have a wheat, nut or soy allergy. Can I use Emma Lewisham products?
Some Emma Lewisham products contain ingredients such as cetearyl alcohol (derived from wheat), nut oils (such as tamanu) and soy oil.
We recommend if you have sensitive skin or allergies that you do a patch test first or consult your medical practitioner before using any new skincare product. If your skin is not responding well to one of our products, including irritation, please discontinue use and contact a medical practitioner.
What does Emma Lewisham’s Climate Positive certification mean?
All Emma Lewisham products are Toitū Climate Positive certified. A Climate Positive certification has extra steps required and more rigour compared with a Carbon Positive certification. To achieve Toitū climate positive certification for a product, an organisation:
- Measures all product lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required under the international standard for carbon footprints, PAS 2050, including materials sourcing, manufacture, transportation, storage and disposal
- Estimates its full value chain emissions – from suppliers to customers.
- Sets science-aligned reduction targets for direct and indirect emissions, and must show reductions on a three-year cycle.
- Offsets any unavoidable emissions through the purchase of carbon credits to go beyond neutrality for at least 125% compensation.
- Invests in initiatives that have positive impacts beyond its value chain. This investment is equivalent to 75% of the product/service’s footprint.
Each year, our inventory, management plan and impact investments are independently verified by Toitū Envirocare.
What does it mean to achieve a Toitū Climate Positive product certification?
Toitū climate positive product certification is proof Emma Lewisham is taking science-led, meaningful climate action for a decarbonised future. To achieve Toitū climate positive certification for a product, an organisation measures all product lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required under the international standard for carbon footprints, PAS 2050, including materials sourcing, manufacture, transportation, storage and disposal. Estimates its full value chain emissions - from suppliers to customers. Sets science-aligned reduction targets for direct and indirect emissions, and must show reductions on a three year cycle. Offsets any unavoidable emissions through the purchase of carbon credits to go beyond neutrality for at least 125% compensation. Invests in initiatives that have positive impacts beyond its value chain. This investment is equivalent to 75% of the product/service’s footprint. Each year, the inventory, management plan and impact investments are independently verified by Toitū Envirocare - a New Zealand Government owned certifications provider.
What is a circular model?
A circular economic model is a truly sustainable model and is based on three key principles:
- eliminating waste and pollution
- keeping products and materials in use
- regenerating natural systems
By following these principles we will significantly reduce both carbon emissions and our reliance on the extraction of new raw materials. In beauty, a circular model needs to focus on packaging, meaning the refilling and reusing of our packaging (over and over) before recycling as a final point of call.
The opposite to a circular economic model is the linear economic model, (the one we have inherited) whose principles are take-make-waste. This means taking a natural resource, making it into a product and then discarding it. The linear economic model is not designed to keep materials in use, it is typically a single use model that relies on the constant extraction of new raw materials. This is a model that can’t be sustained. The majority of businesses operate a linear economic model, however, to reduce the world’s carbon emissions and unprecedented amount of waste, we must transition all industries to the circular economic model.
What does it mean to be regenerative?
When we talk about being ‘regenerative’ we are referring to methods of operating that don’t just sustain the current state of the Earth, but actively help to create a positive impact.
As part of our planet positive path, we offset our greenhouse gas emissions by 125% and are actively working towards sourcing 100% of our ingredients from farms using regenerative practices. Regenerative farming practices focus on regenerating the health of our soils by increasing their ability to sequester carbon while simultaneously increasing biodiversity and restoring water quality. These are all essential components for creating a healthy environment where plants, animals and people can prosper. The Rodale Institute, who helped pioneer this approach to farming, estimated that the world could sequester more than 100% of current annual carbon emissions through regenerative farming practices.
We believe becoming Carbon Positive and using regenerative agriculture practices are essential in meeting global climate goals of halving CO₂ emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050 - as set by the United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement.
What is carbon positive?
Carbon Positive (sometimes called Carbon Negative or Climate Positive) means that a business is certified to have gone beyond just neutralising carbon emissions to have an additional ‘positive’ contribution to the atmosphere.
At Emma Lewisham, after reducing each product's carbon footprint as much as possible, we then offset our remaining carbon emissions by 125% through our partners Toitu, to become certified under their Climate Positive programme.
What is the difference between carbon positive, carbon negative, climate positive and carbon neutral?
Different certification agencies choose to use different terminology, however, carbon positive, carbon negative and climate positive all mean that a business is certified to have gone beyond just neutralising carbon emissions to have an additional ‘positive’ contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases from our atmosphere.
Carbon neutral, often called carbon zero, means that carbon emissions released into the atmosphere from a company's activities have been balanced out, or ‘neutralised’, by removing an equal amount of carbon from the atmosphere.
How does a business become carbon positive?
There are two types of carbon certifications - at a product level and at an organisational or business level. We are certified (carbon positive) at a product level.
Certifying to a product level is far more detailed than certifying to an organisational level. It requires measuring the emissions from every ingredient we use in each product and calculates the greenhouse gas emissions caused through the entire life cycle of a product. For example, we know that 3kgsCO2e per 100mls are released into the atmosphere (emitted) during the production of our Skin Reset. For each bottle, this equates to the same amount of carbon dioxide as that responsible for approximately 0.9 litres of Arctic sea ice loss.
In comparison, measuring to an organisational level is less detailed and measures the greenhouse gases that are emitted from all the activities and operations across an organisation.
While many businesses globally have measured their emissions at an organisational level, very few have dedicated the time and invested in the resources to measure their emissions at a product level. Measuring to a product level takes significantly more time but gives a much more detailed and complete picture of where there is the biggest opportunity for reduction and improvement. It also informs our customers of how many emissions are related to purchasing our products.
Emma Lewisham’s certification process involved spending 12 months working with world-leading independent environmental certification agency, Toitū Envirocare, to measure the carbon emissions emitted at each stage of our product's lifecycle. Following this, we implemented an extensive carbon reduction strategy prior to offsetting. Reduction should always come first - in our ideal world, we wouldn’t need to offset at all.
How much are your carbon emissions being reduced by?
Buying an Emma Lewisham refill pod or pouch, instead of buying a brand-new container reduces carbon emissions by up to 74%. So, can you imagine the impact we could have if the entire beauty industry embraced a circular model where refills were the priority? We would save billions, if not trillions of tonnes of carbon each year, and could completely eliminate the billions of units of packaging waste that end up in our landfills, oceans or burnt.
What does the carbon number mean?
The carbon number shows the carbon footprint of a product – it is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by a product (from the harvesting and production of raw ingredients used, to transportation, product packaging and end-of-life). You can see the carbon number for each of our products on it’s product page, under the Sustainability section.
What is a carbon credit?
Every tonne of emissions reduced by an environmental project creates one carbon offset or carbon credit. Companies (or individuals) can invest in these projects through buying carbon credits in order to reduce their own carbon footprints. These environmental projects are certified to be actively removing or reducing GHGs from our atmosphere. Essentially buying carbon credits is the process of investing in green projects in order to balance your own emissions.
What are the types of carbon offset projects? What projects does Emma Lewisham invest in?
Carbon offset projects include:
- Reforestation and conservation - credits based on either the carbon captured by new trees or the carbon not released through protecting old trees.
- Renewable energy - building or maintaining chiefly solar, wind or hydro sites across the world, boosting the amount of renewable energy on the grid, creating jobs, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, and bolstering the sector’s global growth.
- Community Projects (help to introduce energy-efficient methods or technology to undeveloped communities around the world).
- Waste to energy - often involves capturing methane and converting it into electricity. Sometimes this means capturing landfill gas, or in smaller villages, human or agricultural waste.
We have allocated 75% of our carbon offset credits to regenerating New Zealand’s Puhoi Forest Reserves, 12.5% to supporting Gyapa’s Cook Stoves technology in Ghana and 12.5% to Wind Power Project in India.
Why is carbon offsetting important and what role does it play?
We know that carbon is the leading greenhouse gas (GHG) responsible for the human induced rate at which our atmosphere is warming. As humans, we have been accustomed to reasonably stable and predictable climate and weather patterns for thousands of years, however with this warming comes great destabilisation and uncertainty. We are already seeing huge fluctuations in weather patterns, with floods, droughts, hurricanes and fires and these fluctuations in temperature caused by the drastic increase in GHGs in our atmosphere are creating an environment where many plants and animal species are no longer able to survive.
Almost every activity we undertake whether as a business or individual, involves emitting carbon into our atmosphere. While focusing on reducing our carbon must be our first priority, carbon credits allow us to offset what we cannot reduce until we reach the point of being inherently carbon zero.
Isn’t shipping empty containers back to NZ (as part of the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle) creating carbon emissions?
Yes, it does create carbon emissions, however despite the carbon emissions from shipping this material back, we are still reducing the carbon footprint of each product by up to 74%. Which is a significant impact compared to not shipping this back at all and allowing people just to throw it away. We also use the most environmentally friendly way of shipping this back – we always use sea freight, which as you will know, has a much lighter footprint than air freight, and we wait until a ship that is already scheduled to come back to NZ has spare capacity. This means that we aren’t putting an extra ship on the sea just for Emma Lewisham.
Although this is currently the best option, we are always looking to reduce our carbon emissions and once we have growth in overseas markets, we will absolutely look to have manufacturing facilities there so that we can cater to refills within the local market.
I'm a beauty business, what is the best way for me to obtain your carbon positive and circular designed beauty blueprint?
Is recycling my packaging being circular?
Technically, yes - recycling is part of a circular economy. However, a very important point to understand is that globally, almost no beauty packaging is recycled through our kerbside recycling systems. This means that even packaging labelled ‘100% recyclable’ if put in your home recycling bin, most likely ends up in landfill, or polluting our environment.
We believe if beauty brands are going to market their products as 100% recyclable, they must ensure all packaging they are responsible for globally actually gets recycled. This is why we set up the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle, so our customers can send us back their empty packaging and we can ensure it gets sent to specialised recycling facilities.
We believe refills should always come before recycling. Refilling requires significantly less energy and resources, therefore emits significantly less greenhouse gases, so where possible this should always be the first point of call. When measuring the carbon footprint of our products we discovered that by choosing a refill pod our customers reduce the amount of greenhouse gases by up to 74% compared to a brand new container.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
We strive to produce vegan friendly products where possible. However, our Skin Shield Take On The Day Crème with SPF 30 does contain beeswax (cera alba).
Our bees are not killed or harmed for the small amount of wax that we use in this product, nor are they being harmed in any way whatsoever. When honey boxes are taken off the hives, the wax is cut open and the honey is extracted. The wax that is cut off and we use in our formulations – called cappings wax – is technically a waste product of honey extracting. If it wasn’t used, it would just be dumped. The honey boxes are added and removed through the season, but the bees’ home where they live is untouched. Therefore, it is a sustainable practice that is not cruel to the bees as a waste product is being used. The beeswax we use is from New Zealand where the bees are away from city pollution, pesticides, insecticides, herbicide or fungicides.
Do you (or a third party) test your ingredients or finished products on animals?
No, we do not test any of our finished products, ingredients, or formulas on animals. We are PETA certified cruelty-free.
Are you owned by a company that tests on animals?
No, we are a privately owned company. We do not test any of our finished products, ingredients, or formulas on animals.
Do Emma Lewisham products contain synthetic microbeads?
We do not use synthetic microbeads (plastic beads) in any of our products.
What causes do you support?
You can learn about causes we support here.
Do you have a Sustainability Policy?
We absolutely do. You can read our Sustainability Policy here.
What is your product packaging made out of?
Please see our Packaging Sustainability document here.
EU Recycling Information
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Illuminating Face & Body Oil: Box PAP 21 | Bottle 73 (painted glass) | Pump 92 | Cap 90 | Refill pouch 7
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Illuminating Oil Cleanser: Box PAP 21 | Bottle 73 (painted glass) | Pump 92 | Cap 90 | Refill pouch 7
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Illuminating Exfoliant: Box PAP 21 | Bottle 73 (painted glass) | Pump 92 | Cap 90 | Refill pouch 7
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Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Airless pump 92 (PP 5, ABS 7, FE 40) | Lid ABS 7 | Refill pod PP 5, HDPE 2 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
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Skin Reset Serum: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Airless pump 92 (PP 5, ABS 7, FE 40) | Lid ABS 7 | Refill pod PP 5, HDPE 2 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
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Skin Reset Eye Crème: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Airless pump 92 (PP 5, ABS 7, FE 40) | Lid ABS 7 | Refill pod PP 5, HDPE 2 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
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Skin Shield SPF 30 Face Crème: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Airless pump 92 (PP 5, ABS 7, FE 40) | Lid ABS 7 | Refill pod PP 5, HDPE 2 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
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Supernatural Face Crème Riche: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Lid 90 (ABS 7, ALU 41) | Refill pod PP 5 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
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Supernatural Face Oil: Box PAP 21 | Bottle 73 (painted glass) | Pump 90, 95 | Refill pouch 7
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Supernatural Sleeping Mask: Box PAP 21 | Jar PMMA 7 (acrylic) | Lid 90 (ABS 7, ALU 41) | Refill pod PP 5 | Refill pod seal: ALU 41
What is the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle?
The Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle is our refill and recycling programme, to keep our packaging in circularity. You can return your packaging materials directly to us and our in-house team will filter all of these materials. We will first and foremost try to sterilise and refill all viable materials that are returned. Any materials that are no longer capable of being sterilised and refilled (due to wear and tear) will be sent to our specialised recycling partner, Terracycle, to ensure they are recycled and repurposed – and don’t end up in landfill.
Learn more here
Does it cost to take part in the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle Recycling programme?
It costs Emma Lewisham to be part of it, but we absorb this cost as part of our product stewardship, we believe taking ownership as a brand for our waste is the right thing to do. There is no cost passed onto you.
Are all of your products refillable?
Yes - all Emma Lewisham products are refillable. We have two types of refill options - pods and pouches. Most of our products have been designed with a refillable pod that when empty, you simply pop out, replace with a refill, and send back to us to be sterilised and refilled.
Our other products are refillable using our refill pouches and once you have emptied the contents of your refill pouch into your vessel, you simply send these back to us for recycling. The reason some products require pouches is due to the nature of their formulas and the methods needed to keep them fresh and active. We have chosen to use pouches over sending back original vessels for refilling as their much lighter weight significantly reduces carbon emissions. We ensure that every pouch is recycled through our specialised recycling partners.
How do I return my refill pod or refill pouch to you?
Please see our Beauty Circle page here for instructions.
Can I return my Emma Lewisham product box packaging to you for recycling?
All Emma Lewisham outer packaging such as shipping boxes, cardboard packaging or paper tissue should be placed in your kerbside recycling or composted.
Can I still return broken packaging to be refilled and reused?
Please still return any broken plastic packaging to us as although we cannot refill it, we can still ensure it is recycled. The only broken packaging we ask you kindly do not return is broken glass.
What material can I return to you for refilling or recycling?
As a general rule, you can send back any Emma Lewisham product packaging to be refilled or recycled. This includes any of our original vessels, pods and pouches. Any outer packaging such as shipping boxes, cardboard packaging or paper tissue can be placed in your kerbside recycling or composted. We no longer accept empty packaging from other beauty brands as we are advocating for all brands to implement refillable models as a first point of call. If you’re unsure, you can check our lists below.
Accepted material:
● Emma Lewisham plastic bottles, tubes and pods.
● Emma Lewisham glass bottles and jars (please don’t send back broken glass).
● Emma Lewisham lids, droppers and pumps.
● Emma Lewisham pouches and foil lids from pods.
Not accepted:
● Emma Lewisham cardboard/ paper external packaging - please place this in your home/ kerbside recycling.
● Any product packaging from other brands.
AUSTRALIA
MECCA is now the exclusive home of Emma Lewisham products in Australia. As a result of this change, Beauty Circle rewards, returns, and referrals will no longer be accessible for Australian customers.
Why is there only a small difference in price between the original jars and their refillable pods?
This is due to the investment needed to develop our own refillable product moulds, as well as the additional associated cost of shipping empty pods back to us (as this is free for our customers) filtering, sterilising and refilling them.
Despite the refills actually costing us more as a business, we have priced them slightly lower as a small incentive to encourage people to choose this option as it significantly reduces carbon emissions and eliminates waste.
We needed to invest in developing our own refillable technology because unlike most packaging designs, any refillable options currently available on the market are tightly locked under IP by more established beauty brands. The significant investment needed to develop refillable moulds and technology from scratch is a barrier for any small business wanting to become circular. This is why we have chosen not to hold onto this IP, instead making it available publicly so that any beauty brand - big or small - can capitalise on our investment in order to eliminate waste and solve the beauty industry’s unprecedented waste problem.
Why are the new jars larger but their weight has not changed?
We had to make our new jars slightly larger in order to hold the refill pod within them. The refill pod is designed to hold the same weight of product as the old jar so you are still getting the same amount. We also always slightly overfill our pods so you’re actually getting a little extra.
What’s the best way to insert my refill pod? Sometimes I lose a bit of product in the process.
What should I do if I have purchased old packaging but want to buy a refill?
Our Supernatural 72-Hour Hydration Creme, Skin Reset Serum and Skin Shield Take On The Day Crème have all transitioned to packaging with a refillable inner pod. If you have previously bought these products, please purchase a new refillable jar and then moving forward you can simply purchase refill pods. You can send your old packaging back to us free of charge through our Beauty Circle initiative to ensure it is recycled.
Why do you no longer accept other beauty brands’ packaging?
You may know that we used to accept other beauty brands' packaging to be recycled. We no longer accept these as we are advocating for all brands to implement refillable models as a first point of call.
Are you still offering discount vouchers for returning empties?
Going forward, instead of providing discount vouchers for returning empties, we have built this incentive into the lower price of purchasing refills. Refills actually cost us more to produce than our original packaging due to the investment needed to develop our own refillable product moulds, as well as the additional cost of shipping empty pods back to us (as this is free for our customers) filtering, sterilising and refilling them.
However, despite the refills actually costing us more as a business, we have priced them slightly lower as a small incentive to encourage people to choose this option as it significantly reduces carbon emissions and eliminates waste.
Are your products nano-particle free?
The term nano-particle is used to refer to a small particle with all three dimensions less than 100 nanometres. We do have nano-particles in our Skin Shield SPF 30 products, as it allows us to create formulations with little or no white cast on the skin (depending on your skin type).
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), nano-particles in sunscreen are safe and do not penetrate the skin, meaning it is unlikely they cause any harm when on the skin.
Are your SPF & sunscreen products tested?
Our SPF products are tested to the Australian/New Zealand AS/NZS 2604 standard, which is based on the international ISO 24443 for broad spectrum testing, and ISO 24444 for in-vivo SPF testing.
This means they are scientifically verified as delivering SPF broad spectrum protection, given you confidence that you're getting a high level of protection.
What is the shelf life / expiry of SPF or sunscreen products?
In general, the expiration of a product depends on its formulation and how you store and care for it.
For sunscreen/SPF products, make sure you always check and adhere to the expiration date. All Emma Lewisham SPF products are tested and verified against SPF standards – but you should also ensure it’s being stored in a cool, dry place with the lid closed.
We recommend you use Emma Lewisham sunscreen/SPF products within 6 months after opening (this is what the small “open lid” symbol with the number “6” on your packaging means).
How should I store my products?
We recommend storing Emma Lewisham products out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark place. Lids should always be closed after use and the bottle stored upright.
What are the products' shelf life / expiry?
Emma Lewisham products are formulated with unique blends of naturally derived ingredients from around the world. We believe it’s important to have the freshest products possible, so ingredients are at their peak and have maximum effectiveness.
In general, the expiration of a product depends on its formulation and how you store and care for it.
We recommend you use Emma Lewisham products according to the “period after opening” symbol on our packaging – this is a small “open lid” symbol with the number “4” or “6” on your packaging. The number corresponds to the number of months you generally have to use the product after you first open it – so our Skin Reset for instance, should be used 4 months after opening.
A good rule of thumb is that, just like food, skincare should be seasonal, because fresher ingredients are the most effective.
Our products generally have a 24 month expiry date, which is the final date at which it can be used – provided it has been stored correctly. You can find the expiry date printed on the packaging.
As a rule of thumb:
Moisturisers should be used 6 months after opening.
Serums should be used within 4 months after opening. This is because they contain high performing ingredients that can lose their effectiveness over time.
Oils can last for 12 months depending on how they’re stored – they should be kept in a cool, dark place, otherwise they can go rancid if stored incorrectly.
How long does one bottle last?
On average our 30 ml products will last up to 3 months with daily use. Our 50ml and 100ml products should last longer.
Of course, this depends on the product dosage and frequency – for instance, if you choose to use the Skin Reset twice a day, it will run out more quickly.
How many weeks coverage are in The Emma Lewisham Essentials minis?
On average The Essentials minis should last you for between 2-3 weeks of a daily usage.
Of course, this depends on the product dosage and frequency – for instance, if you choose to use the Skin Reset twice a day, it will run out more quickly.
What is the weight/volume of your products?
Full Size Products
Skin Reset Serum – 30ml
Skin Reset Eye Creme - 15 ml
Illuminating Oil Cleanser - 115 ml
Illuminating Exfoliant - 100ml
Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème – 50ml
Illuminating Face and Body Oil - 115 ml
Supernatural Face Oil – 30ml
Supernatural Face Crème Riche – 50g
Supernatural Blemish Serum - 30ml
Skin Shield SPF 30 – 50ml
Emma Lewisham Essential Minis
Skin Reset Serum – 7ml
Illuminating Oil Cleanser - 15 ml
Illuminating Exfoliant - 9ml
Supernatural Vitamin A Renewal Face Oil – 3ml
Supernatural 72-Hour Hydration Crème Riche – 9ml
Skin Reset Eye Crème – 3ml
Brighten Your Day Crème – 9ml
Eye Crème – 3ml
Do you have any products with SPF?
Yes, our Skin Shield Take On The Day Crème is an SPF 30 product. This was formulated by an internationally recognised expert on sun protection.
Our SPF 30 products are tested to the Australian/New Zealand AS/NZS 2604 standard, which is based on the international ISO 24443 for broad spectrum testing, and ISO 24444 for in-vivo SPF testing.
This means they are scientifically verified as delivering SPF broad spectrum protection, given you confidence that you're getting a high level of protection.
Do you provide samples?
We do not currently provide samples. However, please see if there is a stockist near you where you should be able to try a tester.
Are your products non-comedogenic?
Yes, all of our products are non-comedogenic.