The team at Emma Lewisham didn’t set out to follow beauty—they set out to rethink it. Recognising an opportunity to help reshape the industry itself, they chose from the beginning to think differently—always in pursuit of truth, excellence, and something meaningfully better. Now, a vision years in the making, the brand is recognised by the highest authority in science, Nobel Laureate Dr. Peter Agre, for their scientific rigour and dedication to sustainable practices.
In a milestone for the brand, Emma Lewisham has earned the recognition of Nobel Laureate Dr. Peter Agre, a globally acclaimed American physician and molecular biologist awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003.
He may seem like an unlikely voice in the world of skincare, but his credentials bring an authority that transcends the beauty world. In an industry so often shaped by trends and fleeting fixations, Dr. Agre offers something of real weight and gravitas—an endorsement rooted purely in merit.
Across decades of distinguished scientific contribution, Dr. Agre has never lent his name to a beauty brand. Emma Lewisham is the first. That he chose this founder-led company from New Zealand speaks to the pioneering contributions it’s making to the field.
The science behind the recognition
The Nobel Prize represents the highest honour of scientific achievement in the world, awarded only to discoveries that transform humanity’s understanding of life itself.
Dr. Agre’s discovery of aquaporin proteins unveiled something so profound that it redefined an entire field of science. These unique proteins are how the body moves water across membranes, forming an intricate system that allows the body to control where and how much water is distributed throughout our tissues. It’s caused many to refer to them as the ‘plumbing system of cells’, for their ability to finely tune hydration and, as such, ensure our bodies operate effectively.
His work is a landmark revelation in cell biology. The impact of this discovery has extended far beyond medicine. Aquaporins have become central to breakthroughs in neuroscience, kidney and eye health, plant biology, and even sustainable agriculture, influencing our understanding of hydration, resilience, and cellular mechanisms across all living systems.
Dr. Agre’s work revealed a critical principle: the human body operates through intelligent, interconnected systems—not isolated mechanisms. It is this same systems-based thinking that underpins Emma Lewisham’s formulation philosophy.
Rethinking beauty from the inside out
While much of the beauty industry traditionally focuses on isolating and heroing single ingredients, Emma Lewisham approaches skin through the lens of biology itself.
What emerged was the same insight Dr. Agre uncovered in his Nobel Prize-winning discovery: skin is not governed by one pathway, one trigger, or one solution—but by a complex, interconnected network of processes operating simultaneously.
This fundamental thinking shapes everything Emma Lewisham does, leading them to formulate differently by creating products that work the same way the skin does. Every product contains up to 25 evidence-based active ingredients at proven concentrations, designed to work across the skin’s multiple biological pathways all at once. Not one ingredient doing one job. A system, designed for a system.
A milestone in beauty innovation
Dr. Agre has credited Lewisham’s leadership in the industry for its thoughtful approach to rigorous formulation development and unwavering dedication to ethical and sustainable innovation in beauty.
“I recognise Emma Lewisham’s genuine commitment to scientific thinking and dedication to sustainable practices,” says Dr. Agre. “For me, what’s most appealing about Emma Lewisham is their way of thinking, curiosity, and genuine authenticity in their work. I’ve enjoyed meeting and spending time with Emma, witnessing first-hand her commitment to solving problems while running a business that operates with real ethics and responsibility. Their work is anchored in science, using it as a force for good.”
Dr. Peter Agre’s acknowledgment follows that of Dr. Jane Goodall, who personally endorsed Emma Lewisham in 2021—another first for a beauty brand—and said, “I sincerely hope that the beauty industry can follow Emma Lewisham’s lead. I believe they are paving the way for the future.”
The ethics earned Dr. Goodall’s recognition; the science now has Dr. Agre’s. Together, they reflect a rare alignment—acknowledgement from two of the most respected minds of our time.
Founder statement
“Curiosity has always been a driving force in my life—it’s what led me to question the status quo and pursue solutions where others saw limitations. At Emma Lewisham, that same spirit fuels everything we do. To be recognised by Dr. Peter Agre—a scientist whose groundbreaking work reshaped how we understand the natural world—is incredibly meaningful. He embodies the kind of purpose-driven innovation we aspire to, and his acknowledgement reinforces our mission to lead with both scientific excellence and ethical responsibility.” —Emma Lewisham.
In its upcoming product pipeline, Emma Lewisham will launch a new innovation incorporating Peter Agre’s pioneering work on aquaporins.
www.emmalewisham.com
