Last Updated on August 21, 2026 by Eve Dawes
This Emma Lewisham review started as my first experience with the New Zealand skincare brand, but I’m now four weeks into consistently using both the Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Elixir and Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème, so I can finally share my before and after photos and actual results. I don’t do Botox, so I’m always testing topical alternatives for fine lines and wrinkles, which is what initially drew me to the Vitale Elixir. Living in the Las Vegas desert has also made me genuinely picky about sunscreen, and the Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème has now become my regular SPF. I’m also covering the Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum in this review, since it’s one of the products that first put the brand on the map.
So, does Emma Lewisham skincare actually work and is it worth the price? My four-week results weren’t quite what I expected. I haven’t seen a noticeable improvement in my fine lines or firmness, but I have noticed changes in my skin’s hydration, texture, radiance and overall appearance that I wasn’t necessarily looking for. Here’s my honest Emma Lewisham review and before and after results after four weeks of twice-daily use.
This article contains affiliate links and gifted items which do not affect the price.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Elixir: A Real Alternative to Injections?
This is the reason I wanted to write this review. Emma Lewisham Vitale Elixir is positioned as a topical alternative to anti-wrinkle injections, and in independent in vitro testing, it’s shown to reduce the frequency of muscle contractions that contribute to fine lines and wrinkles within 24 hours, alongside an instant filling effect and support for firmer, smoothed skin structure. It also uses a proprietary Neuropeptide Relaxant Complex and a peptide encapsulated in 24 carat gold particles to help it work more effectively.
Besides the filling and relaxing effect, it absorbs really easily and doesn’t pill under makeup. It’s one of those skincare products that instantly makes your skin feel silky smooth and hydrated.
Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum
Alongside the Vitale Elixir, the Skin Reset Serum is one of the products that built this brand’s reputation in the first place. The Reset Serum is formulated to even skin tone and brighten, using ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, and it’s a good entry point if you want to try Emma Lewisham skin care without committing to the full Vitale Elixir price point first. I haven’t personally tried this as I opted for the Elixir as I thought that would be better for my skin as anti-aging is more of a priority to me than brightening (I’m in my mid forties).
Emma Lewisham Vitale Elixir Results After 4 Weeks
I used the Supernatural Vitale Elixir consistently twice a day for four weeks, applying 2–3 pumps each time, and I experienced no irritation, redness or breakouts from the Elixir or SPF.
So did it visibly reduce my fine lines and wrinkles in four weeks? Honestly, no. I can’t see a meaningful difference in my forehead lines, crow’s feet or other fine lines in my before and after photos, and I haven’t noticed my skin feeling noticeably firmer or plumper either.
Where I have noticed a difference that isn’t actually where I was expecting it. My skin feels more hydrated and the texture around the sides of my nose feels smoother, but the biggest change for me is how my skin looks overall. It appears more radiant and even, with less visible redness in my four-week photos.
One particularly unexpected difference is the chickenpox scar on my forehead. I wasn’t testing the Vitale Elixir for scarring and I’m not claiming that it treats scars, but when I compared my before and four-week photos, the mark appears noticeably less obvious to me. I’ve included a close-up so you can make your own judgment rather than taking my word for it.
As always with skincare before and after photos, lighting matters. Even photos taken in the same place can look different depending on the time of day, camera exposure and angle. I’ve left my skin unedited and included the photos so you can look at the results for yourself. For that reason, I’m more confident saying my skin looks more radiant and feels smoother and more hydrated than making a definitive claim about a change in redness based on photography alone.
Four weeks also isn’t where I’d expect the story with an anti-aging serum to end. I’ll continue updating this review if I notice further changes with longer-term use, but at this point I wouldn’t tell you that the Vitale Elixir visibly reduced my wrinkles. My results have been much more about overall skin quality, hydration, texture and radiance.
Emma Lewisham SPF 50: One of the Best Australian Sunscreen Brands
This was love at first use! Living in the desert means SPF isn’t optional for me, it’s survival, and this sunscreen impressed me from my first application. It uses 20% zinc oxide for broad spectrum mineral UVA and UVB protection. It’s also dermatologically tested, TGA certified, meaning it’s passed Australia’s notably strict sunscreen testing standards, among the toughest in the world, and was named a winner of the Oprah Daily Sun O-Award.
Beyond sun protection, it also supports collagen production, which as a 46 year old I appreciate, and helps skin hold onto moisture longer term. Plus it contains a biopeptide that mimics the effects of retinoic acid to help reinforce the skin barrier over time.
However, my favorite part is how it makes my skin look! It has a golden beige color which means no white cast, and it left my skin with a beautiful bronzed glow without being shimmery. It also doesn’t pill under makeup, win-win!
Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Review After 4 Weeks
Four weeks later, the Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème has actually replaced my previous everyday SPF. I still love the finish and how hydrating it feels, and I haven’t experienced any pilling, greasiness or dryness, even when wearing it throughout the day. I also haven’t noticed the tint transferring, although I don’t apply it close enough to my clothing to really put that to the test.
The one thing I’d keep in mind is the color. I find the mineral formula has a slightly pink tone on my skin. I like how it looks on me, but if you already have a particularly rosy or red complexion, the shade may not be the most flattering option for you.
Would I repurchase it? Yes. Between the finish, hydration and the fact that I genuinely enjoy wearing it every day, this has been the standout product for me in terms of becoming part of my regular routine. For me, the best sunscreen is ultimately one I’ll actually want to put on every morning, and this one has passed that test.
How to use Emma Lewisham skincare
The skincare collection is pretty streamlined which I appreciate and it makes finding the right products for you easy rather than a lengthy mission. You can filter by skin type or skin concern, and ff you’re still not sure where to start or which ones are going to work the best for you, The Essentials is a great place to start as it contains 7 travel size versions of their best sellers so you can try them all before committing to the full size versions.
I’m a big believer in using a whole skincare system rather than mixing brands as often they’re designed to work synergistically. Emma Lewisham skincare is a 4 step system, so you’ll want to choose a cleanser, treatment, moisturizer and SPF.
Emma Lewisham Skincare Fundamental Routine
Morning & Evening Ritual:
- Step 1: Massage your face with cleanser and/or exfoliate. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Step 2: Massage 1-2 pumps of the treatment serum or oil that addresses your specific skin concerns, whether that’s acne, aging, dark spots, etc (mine’s fine lines and wrinkles) over your face and neck.
- Step 3: Gently apply 1 pump of Skin Reset Eye Crème to your eye area.
- Step 4: Massage 1 pump of moisturizer onto your face, neck and décolletage in the morning and evening.
- Step 5 Morning only: Apply Mineral SPF 50 liberally to face and neck 20 minutes before sun exposure.
Where Is Emma Lewisham Made?
Emma Lewisham is a New Zealand founded and based skincare brand, though their SPF is specifically TGA certified in Australia, which is part of why it stands up so well among Australian sunscreen brands despite the brand’s New Zealand roots.
My Emma Lewisham Review After 4 Weeks: At a Glance
Products tested: Supernatural Vitale Elixir + Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème
Testing period: 4 weeks
Vitale Elixir use: Twice daily, 2–3 pumps
Fine lines & wrinkles: No noticeable improvement
Firmness & plumpness: No noticeable improvement
Hydration: Improved
Texture: Improved, particularly around the sides of my nose
Radiance: Improved
Skin tone: Looks more even in my before and after photos
Irritation or breakouts: None
SPF: Has replaced my previous everyday SPF
Would I repurchase? SPF: Yes. Vitale Elixir: potentially, once I’ve worked through the other serums I’m testing.
Is Emma Lewisham Worth It? My Verdict After 4 Weeks
After four weeks, my overall opinion of Emma Lewisham hasn’t really changed: I’ve had a positive experience with the brand and both products I’ve tested, but my results with the Vitale Elixir are more nuanced than simply saying it erased my wrinkles. It didn’t.
I haven’t seen a noticeable improvement in fine lines, firmness or plumpness after four weeks. What I have seen is better hydration, smoother texture in some areas and skin that looks more radiant and even overall. The unexpected change in how noticeable the chickenpox scar on my forehead appears in my photos was interesting too, although that’s an observation rather than something I’d attribute definitively to the serum.
Would I repurchase the Vitale Elixir? Potentially. I have a substantial testing pile of serums to work through first, so realistically it wouldn’t be anytime soon. However, it’s at a price point where I’d consider buying it again, particularly compared with two of the anti-aging serums I already love that cost more than $500.
The Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème is an easier yes for me. It’s replaced my previous everyday SPF, I love its hydrating finish, it doesn’t pill or feel greasy on my skin, and I’d repurchase it. My only caveat is its slightly pink tone, which I think is worth considering if your complexion is already particularly rosy or red.
I wouldn’t choose between the Vitale Elixir and SPF as though they’re interchangeable products. A serum and an SPF moisturizer serve completely different purposes, and sunscreen is an essential part of my morning skincare routine regardless of which serum I’m testing. If you’re building a routine, I’d choose the best serum for your individual skin concerns and an SPF you’ll actually wear consistently rather than treating it as an either/or purchase.
So, is Emma Lewisham skincare worth it? Based on my first four weeks, I think the formulas I’ve tested justify considering the brand if it fits your skincare goals and budget. Just don’t expect me to tell you I saw a dramatic wrinkle transformation when I didn’t. For me, the most noticeable results so far have been healthier-looking radiance, hydration and overall skin quality rather than visible line reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Emma Lewisham is a science led, sustainability focused skincare brand from New Zealand, known for formulations backed by independent testing rather than just natural marketing claims
It’s not a direct replacement for injections, but independent in vitro testing shows it reduces the muscle contractions behind fine lines within 24 hours, along with an instant filling effect, making it a credible topical option for anyone avoiding Botox.
Yes, their SPF 50 is TGA certified, meaning it meets Australia’s strict sunscreen testing standards, while also supporting collagen production and skin barrier health beyond just sun protection.
It’s formulated to even skin tone and brighten using ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, and is one of the products that first built the brand’s reputation.
After using Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Elixir twice daily for four weeks, I noticed improvements in hydration, radiance and some areas of skin texture, but I didn’t see a noticeable reduction in my fine lines or improvement in firmness or plumpness. Skincare results vary from person to person, and I’ll continue updating this review if my results change with longer-term use.
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