GOODNESS FROM THE OUTSIDE IN
WORDS Liam Stretch PHOTOS Supplied
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and we don’t often think of it as such – Emma Lewisham’s mission is to get us to treat our epidermis with respect, and in turn, our bodies.
Her skincare range, Emma Lewisham, came about following a discussion with a doctor about what she was using on her skin when she was looking to start a family. He revealed to her that ingredients in some traditional products like hydroquinone were toxic and harmful to the body. Hydroquinone is banned in several countries, and New Zealand is lagging behind on the regulation front.
“It was really clear to me at that point that I did want to move to wearing cleaner, natural skincare because I did believe there was a credible link to what we use on our skin being linked to our health,” Emma says.
Used to using premium cremes and serums, Emma was looking at natural products on the market like argan oil and shea butter but realised they would not deliver the same results.
This set her on the journey of Emma Lewisham skincare, to prove to the beauty industry and consumers that it is possible to produce luxury skin products that perform without compromising health. This struck a chord with Ballantynes. The store’s beauty buyer Caroline Fallow said that the reputation and quality of the products were big draw cards.
“Emma reached out earlier in the year about the range. I loved the concept behind the brand and how concise the line-up was; it seemed very results-driven and easy to understand what to expect from each product. Over the next couple of months, I saw so much positive feedback online about the efficacy of the products I couldn’t hold off any longer – it just seemed like the perfect time to launch and support a local New Zealand brand,” Caroline says.
The range has a palette of clean skincare options available. All products are free of any nasty bits and include a natural preservative, while other green brands often use synthetic alternatives. A commitment to sustainability is bolstered by eco-friendly packaging, ethical sourcing of ingredients, and a recycling programme – The Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle. Caroline said this provided further reason for Ballantynes to stock the brand.
“I feel sustainability is very much a part of the journey Ballantynes is on; internally, we are constantly refining the way we operate to lessen our impact on the environment. It is an ongoing learning experience, so to work with companies that place sustainability at the forefront of their brands is hugely inspiring.”
The scientifically proven results also are a significant selling point. Upon independent testing, the products not only rivalled synthetic brands but outperformed them in some metrics – Skin Reset won an international award for best serum last year. Caroline says this reputation preceded the product range and they have sold much of the opening order.
“It seems as though our customers already know and love the range, so for it be available now at Ballantynes seems like the perfect fit.”
With more products to come, Emma is also taking on other challenges. “My next step is to push to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to review and update our outdated banned ingredient list,” Emma says.