Spa Trends in the UK

Stress and ageing are revealed as our top concerns when visiting a spa, but when it comes to looking younger and keeping calm we can alleviate both by simply keeping our bodies hydrated.  So advise the UK’s leading spa managers and therapists as revealed in the 2013 UK Spa Trend Report compiled by luxury spa skincare house [ comfort zone ]. The Report identified the following areas of growth within UK spas.

Water-full Facials - UK spa therapists named dehydration as the biggest skincare problem they see and as a result there has been a surge in the number of professional treatments and skincare products delivering hydration.

The Energy Shot - Spas say their relaxation rooms are busier than they have ever been with many spa guests falling asleep for hours at a time.  This has lead to spas introducing more secluded sleep facilities that range from warming veiled tepidariums and therapeutic waterbeds to outdoor hanging pods in the fresh air. To counter tiredness, spas have been introducing more uplifting and revitalising body treatments incorporating energising ingredients such as spirulina (known as the algae of life) and essential oils to overcome anxiety such as ginger, lemon and eucalyptus.

DIY Spa - First it was express treatments, next is DIY Spa.  For a time poor, budget conscious generation we’re choosing to spa at our own pace.  ‘Use of facilities’ is included free of charge in most spa packages and many people are taking advantage of this by making full use of the heat and ice experiences on offer.

Luxury Organic - Organic products are voted as being big in spas for 2013.  However, we’re talking luxury organic products that not only deliver exceptional skincare results but can also compete with the top retail products on shelf.

Apothecary Spa - As we live longer, spa is playing its part in helping us to maintain healthier lives by becoming a complete lifestyle package.  With this comes the arrival of apothecary style brands to complement health, fitness and nutrition programmes.  These apothecary brands offer both dietary supplements and topical skincare treatments to improve body functions and healthy skin working from the inside out and outside in.

VitaBella DIY Face Mask Treatment

DIY facials have come a long way from those slightly despicable-smelling pharmacy-bought sachets of our youth (go on, admit it - remember that uber-drying, cracking effect? There you go..)

VitaBella Face Mask Treatment is the very latest - an all-natural, soft fabric mask. It’s super hydrating, delivering active ingredients direct into the dermis thanks to pure Aloe Vera gel (which contains 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins, FYI). 

In user trials, skin hydration and moisture content was increased by more than 20% within the first hour, and we can vouch for the terrific skin-softening restults. 

The mask contains all the usual suspects – Hyaluronic Acid (doesn’t everything, nowa-days?), potent antioxidants and a host of vitamins and minerals; but it also adds a skin-softening proteins and repairing Argan Oil.

It's the perfect antidote for sun-sensitised skin – this one’ll be making the cut onto our ever-growing holiday packing list. 

24k Gold Facial

Your beauty girl-about-town has some juicy news for you, facial fans. Hot off the Japanese trend-wagon, we spy Victoria Beckham has been enjoying gold flake-enriched facials.

Finally: the secret to Vicky B’s age-defying success? We’ll take three…

Lucky ladies in NYC can head to The Spa @ Equinox for their iconic 24 Carat Gold Facial, but for the Londoners amongst us, there just isn’t a suitable alternative.

Unless you DIY it…

Jamela Skin Care have just launched 24k Gold Collagen Face & Neck Masks, £37.50, which use pure mineral gold infused with high-strength natural plant collagen and turbo-powered anti-oxygen. The result is a rapid collagen and elastin synthesis, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst firming and hydrating the skin.

The addition of gold means the plant collagen is absorbed at 10 times the rate of a traditional face mask. So our BFF metal is more than just a pretty face, then.

Jamela recommends wearing the mask for up to a whopping 5 hours – that’s our afternoon taken care of, then..

Biodroga launches new Golden Caviar Mask

If we may be so bold, the down-side of a fabulous facial (and yes, there truly is one), is that one must watch the inevitable decline of said fabulous results with every moment that goes by.

But all is not bleak, facial fans. Lady C was excited to learn that German skin-whizz brand Biodroga are launching a new Golden Cavier Mask, £34.80, to rival the results delivered at The May Fair’s treatment by the same name, £99 for 60 mins.

The rich cream mask contains precious caviar extract and vitamins that penetrate deep into the dermis to intensely nourish skin, boosting moisture levels and balancing skin’s lipids to fortify its barrier function. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed, and the subtlest deposits of shimmering pigments deflect light for a thoroughly flawless finish.

It’s not a facial, but it’ll tide you over until you can see you therapist. And who doesn’t love a bit of DIY?!