New Zealander Emma Lewisham set out to create a circular, climate-positive brand focusing on natural skincare with evidence to back it up. Her eponymous line, available at Net-a-Porter, is the first beauty brand endorsed by Dr Jane Goodall. The brand’s range is designed to be refilled, with refill products boasting a 74 percent lower carbon score than their original vessels. Emma Lewisham’s commitment to sustainability extends to a returns program that focuses on refilling rather than recycling. The brand was the first beauty brand globally to be certified Climate Positive, meaning they offset more carbon emissions than they produce, covering everything from energy use to supply chains.
Rowse, founded by former model Nuria Val, promotes plant-based beauty with a purpose. The brand offers sensorial formulas for different skin concerns, showcasing the power of plants for skin health. Nuria Val and her co-founder, Gabriella, were inspired by their love for nature and plants, with their first product, the Winter Body Oil, made from plants that grow in extreme winter conditions, ensuring skin care during colder months. By working with nature and the changing seasons, Rowse has created a more earth-friendly formula, emphasizing the purity and efficacy of plant-derived oils in skincare.
In their efforts to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly brand, Emma Lewisham experiments with intriguing materials to achieve a natural and plastic-free store. The brand features products such as the mycelium desk, made from panels that can be regrown at any time, and curtains made from algae. In addition, Emma Lewisham incorporates large stone plinths sourced from local quarries near their Somerset studio, along with pineapple leather in their display cabinet. By utilizing renewable materials and prioritizing natural, eco-friendly alternatives, Emma Lewisham is committed to sustainable practices throughout their brand.
Rowse’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their tagline, “plant-based beauty with a purpose,” emphasizing the use of plant-derived ingredients in their products. Nuria Val and her co-founder prioritize the power of plants in skincare, creating formulas that cater to different skin concerns while promoting a connection to nature. By extracting oils from plants based on their unique properties and seasonal variations, Rowse showcases the beauty and efficacy of natural ingredients in skincare, offering consumers a more sustainable and earth-friendly alternative.
Both Emma Lewisham and Rowse recognize the importance of adopting circular, carbon-positive business models in the beauty industry. Emma Lewisham’s range is designed to be refilled, with refill products offering a significantly lower carbon score than their original vessels. The brand’s Climate Positive certification reflects their commitment to measuring and offsetting emissions throughout their operations, setting a high standard for sustainability in the beauty sector. Similarly, Rowse’s focus on plant-based beauty aligns with their commitment to creating environmentally conscious products that prioritize natural ingredients and promote skin health while reducing their impact on the environment.
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, brands like Emma Lewisham and Rowse are setting a new standard for sustainable, eco-friendly practices. By prioritizing natural ingredients, renewable materials, and ethical sourcing, both brands are proving that beauty can be both effective and environmentally conscious. Emma Lewisham’s commitment to a plastic-free store and use of renewable materials, along with Rowse’s emphasis on plant-based beauty and sustainable formulas, showcase a growing movement towards more sustainable practices within the beauty industry. With consumers increasingly seeking out eco-friendly and ethical options, brands like Emma Lewisham and Rowse serve as trailblazers in the shift towards a more sustainable beauty industry.
