Hema

About HEMA

HEMA is a Dutch variety store chain founded in Amsterdam on 4 November 1926 by Arthur Isaac and Leo Meijer. Most of what it sells is made for the chain under its own name, often with in-house designs, and it operates stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. Since February 2026 it has been wholly owned by the Van Eerd family. HEMA cosmetics in our database include nail polish, lip balm, hand and day creams, eye and brow pencils and toothpaste.

A variety-store mix

Nail polishes, lip balms and hand creams lead the 19 HEMA products we list, which also include day cream, eye and brow pencils and toothpaste. Reflecting the nail polishes, four ingredients tie for the top spot after water at 8 products each: CI 77891, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER and WHEAT AMINO ACIDS.

Fragrance is declared in only 5 formulas (26%). Denatured alcohol (ALCOHOL DENAT.) appears in 4 (21%) and silicones in 1 (5%); none contains parabens.

Pigments, polish and own brands

In polishes and pencils, colours are listed as CI numbers – CI 77891 is titanium dioxide – and a '+/-' or 'may contain' block covers the whole shade range. HEMA designs its products in-house but has them made for the chain, so a repackaged item may come with a revised list.