Product Innovation
spa-kit.net
Industry suppliers tell Lauren Heath-Jones about their latest product, treatment and equipment launches
Immersive wellness company Sensync has partnered with Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina in Hawaii to launch a virtual reality Deep Brain Massage that promises to “displace guests from the burdens of their mind and unlock new approaches for relaxation and restoration”.
The treatments take place in The Vessel which offers a series of nature-themed journeys – such as Ocean Cove, Crystal Cave and Floating Clouds – ranging from 20-80 minutes based on guest preference.
It’s one of the first experiences to deliver state-of-the-art stereoscopic visuals, spatial audio, scent, vibroacoustics, sense of body position, wind and temperature effects in unison. The Vessel does this while also collecting real-time physiological data such as respiration, heart rate and electrodermal activity and it then adjusts the treatment accordingly and the information is shared with guests as a map of their journey to show how they react to different stimuli.
The journeys are designed to help ‘reset’ customers’ brains to achieve a state of tranquility. The idea is that their focus is pulled away from goal-directed thoughts, allowing a much needed restoration from cognitive fatigue to take place.
Sensync founder Alex Theory says: “The Deep Brain Massage relies on the push-pull relationship between the two competing types of attention (bottom-up and top-down) which define all human interactions with the world around us.”
spa-kit.net keyword: SENSYNC
Naval architect Jean-Michel Ducancelle has designed a solar-powered floating hotel suite aimed at offering an eco-friendly and nomadic place for travellers to stay.
The Anthénea pod was conceived as a luxury suite for hoteliers to offer their guests, but could be used as a floating spa or treatment suite.
The 50sq m (540sq ft) pod is divided into three spaces: a day space, a night space and a relaxation area, and the roof of the relaxation area can be opened to reveal a solarium. All interior features are said to be made entirely from sustainable materials.
Speaking about the pod’s eco credentials, Ducancelle says: “I am passionate about the idea that tomorrow’s habitat will absolutely have to be eco-friendly and be put at the heart of our natural environment.”
The pod is priced from US$535k (€490k, £434k).
spa-kit.net keyword: ANTHENEA
Sequential Skin, a startup focused on personalised skincare and diagnostics, has launched an at-home diagnosis tool that could be used in spas as a retail line or even to personalise treatments.
Developed by Dr Albert Dashi and Dr Oliver Worsley, the Sequential Kit features an adhesive skin patch that collects ‘material’ from the skin’s surface, which is then used to generate a skin profile.
The skin profile, which can be accessed via the Sequential app, includes information on the user’s genetics and microbiome, as well as personalised product recommendations from product specialist, Pétronille Houdart.
“Your genetics and skin microbiome define your skin,” says Dr Worsley, “We want to empower consumers with this knowledge, and recommend the best products for their skin so they can be confident the product is suitable for them.
“Personalisation is necessary in skincare. A one-size-fits-all approach is not good enough for the demands of consumers’ skincare needs.”
spa-kit.net keyword:SEQUENTIAL
Professional spa brand ESPA has expanded its line of essential oil Signature Blends for the first time since the company was founded in 1992.
The 100 per cent natural Positivity Blend is made of pure essential oils and was formulated by a team of biochemists, skin experts and aromatherapists.
Designed to inspire self-confidence and boost optimism, the blend contains a ‘harmonious’ blend of jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium to uplift, while bergamot and sweet orange essential oils enhance mood.
Daniel Golby, general manager at ESPA, says the addition “harnesses potent aromatherapy actives to provide a burst of happiness”.
The blend is available as a bath and body oil, as well as a shower gel and a pulse point oil.
spa-kit.net keyword:ESPA
BC Softwear, a supplier of luxury linens, is rolling out its new SmartKnit towel range, as an eco-aware alternative for spas.
Made from an 80:20 blend of natural cotton and polyester, the towels have been independently verified by the UK’s Laundry & Technology Centre, to have a 5 per cent reduction in water consumption compared to regular towels, a 9.2 per cent reduction in drying time and save up to 8.5 per cent in energy when being cleaned. BC Softwear also claims they absorb up to 65 per cent less oil than traditional towels and that they’ve been created using a process called reactive dyeing, which uses 60 per cent less water than traditional dyeing.
Barbara Cooke, CEO and founder of BC Softwear, says the range is “designed to conserve energy and reduce costs right across your business”.
She adds: “With the introduction of SmartKnit BC Softwear can provide sustainable solutions from the hotel bedroom to the spa treatment couch.”
SmartKnit is part of the company’s SmartSoft collection, which also includes eco-friendly bathrobes and linen.
spa-kit.net keywords: BC SOFTWEAR
Thalion, a marine skincare specialist, has launched a new product range, called Algo Energie, to re-energise fatigued skin.
Aimed at urban dwellers over the age of 25, the range features two products; an Energetic Vitamin Complex and Radiance Booster Cream and is designed to target the physical signs of ageing by detoxing, rebalancing, energising, repairing and protecting the skin.
“The pressures of modern life, combined with environmental factors, such as pollution, digital pollution and poor diet, can have a negative impact on the skin, leaving it dull and tired,” says Laëtitia Têtedoux, marketing and communication director at Thalion.
Both products are formulated with a trio of vitamin-rich ‘super’ seaweeds: seaweed taurine, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and encourages hydration; spirulina, an antioxidant that boosts elasticity and promotes tissue regeneration; and chlorella, which detoxifies and encourages cell renewal.
“Algo Energie, Thalion’s latest innovation, is an intelligent concept that uses vitamin-rich ‘super algae’ to replenish the skin and protect it from these stressors,” Têtedoux adds.
spa-kit.net keyword: THALION
Skincare brand Pevonia has launched its No Rinse Body Wraps, two eco-conscious body products, designed to deliver potent skincare benefits while conserving water.
“Ingredients in our latest innovation are 100 per cent absorbable, eliminating the use of water – one great step towards the conservation of this precious resource,” says Maritza Rodriguez, global VP of marketing and communications at Pevonia.
An intense skin treatment, the wraps are designed to be used as part of a 50-minute professional treatment and are available in two options: the Cactus & Agave Vita Repair Body Wrap and the Crepe-No-More De-Ageing Body Wrap.
They feature potent ingredients, such as cactus, blue agave extract, longan fruit seed extract and marine collagen, that can be absorbed into the skin.
spa-kit.net keyword: PEVONIA
Skincare brand Voya and equipment supplier Gharieni have joined forces to develop three treatments combining Voya’s signature organic seaweed products and Gharieni’s MLX Quartz bed – a treatment table inspired by the healing properties of warm sand at the beach.
“The MLX Quartz bed works in synergy with our seaweed to give the guest optimum results and to create a truly mindful journey,” says Clair Davidson, head of sales for Voya. “Both the quartz and the seaweed aid detoxification and improve lymphatic flow, thereby promoting healing. When combined, this creates a powerful boost to the skin and body. The Quartz bed also has specialised heating methods that allow the vitamins and minerals found in Voya seaweed to be better absorbed.”
The treatments include a pressure point massage; a wrap and a facial; and a massage, wrap and facial combining all three with an aim to boost overall wellbeing and promote lymphatic drainage and body balance.
spa-kit.net keywords: Gharieni • Voya
Comphy, a provider of spa linen, has launched a product line designed to aid restful sleep.
Called Sleep by Comphy, the line consists of a weighted blanket and a sleep kit which can retailed by spas, used to enhance treatments (especially those focused on sleep health), or supplied as an in-room amenity for hotel spas.
The sleep kit consists of a soy candle, aromatherapy bath salts and a linen spray, formulated with natural sleep-inducing ingredients, as well as a Comphy pillowcase, a soothing meditation playlist, and an online sleep quiz. Meanwhile, the 10lb weighted blanket is designed to contribute to a more restful sleep.
Jessica Carrington, Comphy’s director of sales, says: “The sleep kit and weighted blanket are ideal complements to our spa partners’ sleep treatments.
“The weighted blanket is an amazing addition to the sensory experience of a deep relaxation massage or sleep treatment.”
spa-kit.net keyword:COMPHY
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson
