Emma Lewisham Skincare

Niche Beauty: Emma, if you had to describe your new cleanser in three words?

Emma Lewisham: Transformative, redefining, and active.

NB: That sounds like more than just cleansing. What makes this cleanser so different?

Emma Lewisham: That’s exactly the point – it’s not “just” cleansing. Traditionally, cleansing has always been treated as a step where we remove something from the skin. We deliberately challenged that. For us, effective skincare begins with the very first step. Why shouldn’t cleansing actively improve the skin? Our Crème Cleanser contains what we call “wash-on actives,” delivering serum-like benefits while you cleanse. We sometimes describe it as a “reverse cleanse.” It’s not only about what’s taken away, but also about what remains on the skin.

NB: How did you approach the development?

Emma Lewisham: We didn’t look at what already existed – we started with the skin itself. We identified three key pillars: hydration, reactivity, and the microbiome. Our belief was that if you strengthen these fundamentals simultaneously, you elevate the skin as a whole. To achieve this, we sourced some of the most advanced technologies globally and translated them into a formulation that feels like a luxurious experience – a cream that melts into a silky gel on the skin. The result is a cleanser that not only delivers immediate results but also enhances the performance of everything that follows in your routine.

NB: What is the most common cleansing mistake people make?

Emma Lewisham: Many people unknowingly work against their skin. Cleansers that strip or irritate can create the feeling of a deep clean, but they disrupt the skin’s natural balance. When the skin barrier is compromised or inflammation is present, the skin simply can’t function at its best. I often compare it to asking an elite athlete to perform at their peak while carrying an injury. What was particularly interesting during our testing phase was how many people saw significant improvements just by changing their cleanser – less redness, less dryness, fewer blemishes. And that’s with a formulation that feels incredibly gentle.

NB: Is there one skincare step you would never skip?

Emma Lewisham: SPF, without question. Protection may not feel as exciting as treatment, but it’s one of the most powerful things we can do for long-term skin health. That’s why it was so important for me to create an SPF that people genuinely enjoy using – not as a chore, but as a pleasure.

NB: What’s the best skincare advice you’ve ever received?

Emma Lewisham: A question that has stayed with me: “What skincare would your skin choose?” It shaped our entire philosophy. Instead of following trends, we listen to the skin – to what it truly needs to function at its best.

NB: Is there a small daily habit that makes a big difference to your wellbeing?

Emma Lewisham: My morning walk. That quiet time before the day really begins gives me clarity. And also my skincare routine. I see it as a ritual – not a task, but a moment to care for myself with intention.

NB: Are you more of a minimalist or maximalist when it comes to skincare?

Emma Lewisham: In my routine, I’m a minimalist – but only because our formulations are maximalist. We don’t build products around single hero ingredients. Instead, we develop complex skin systems that activate multiple responses within the skin. That means one product can deliver what would otherwise require several. I believe the complexity should sit with us, not with our customers.

NB: Is there anything in skincare innovation that excites you right now?

Emma Lewisham: Absolutely. We’re currently working in collaboration with a Nobel Prize laureate, using his discovery to unlock a new level of hydration. But more broadly, we think less in terms of individual ingredients and more in systems – how ingredients work together.

NB: What’s something people might not know about your brand?

Emma Lewisham: That we don’t design our products by looking at other brands. Every formulation begins with the skin – its physiology and underlying processes. If you focus too much on the market, you risk losing the perspective of the skin. We prefer to start with a blank canvas and let the skin guide the process.

NB: What excites you most when you think about the future of the brand?

Emma Lewisham: Our customers. When people tell us they feel more confident, more comfortable in their own skin, or that they no longer feel like they’re fighting it – that’s incredibly powerful. Skin may be visible, but its impact goes far beyond the surface.

NB: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in skincare?

Emma Lewisham: In our evolving understanding of the skin. Today, we can work much more precisely with it – rather than against it. In the past, there were often trade-offs: efficacy at the expense of skin health. Now, we can achieve both. That’s where the real opportunity lies.

NB: And finally – what can we expect next?

Emma Lewisham: Before any formulation leaves our lab, I ask myself a simple question: Does this truly reflect why I founded this brand? Only if the answer is a clear yes do we bring it to market. What I can say is that we’re working on innovations that challenge some long-standing “gold standards” – solutions that deliver better results, without compromise to the skin.

Thank you!