Spa Product Trends

Organics

Organic ingredients, products and treatments are more and more becoming the norm, with offerings such as vegan manicure and pedicures and indigenous-ingredient body treatments popping up in many facilities nationwide. Green spa design, which includes the incorporation of recyclable building materials and systems that conserve water and energy, also has become a hot trend. The Green Spa Network, is one organization that is working to develop and help businesses implement more environmentally friendly practices, including how to sustain staff and business resources.

Spa guests are becoming far savvier when it comes to the products we put on our skin. Though organic is still a huge catchphrase, many consumers have begun realizing that just because it says "organic" on the packaging, it isn't necessarily 100% pure. The flipside to this is that if products are truly organic, results still speak volumes so, unless it actually works, investing in an expensive organic face cream will be deemed pointless. Knowing that 100% organic is not always achievable or affordable, spa-goers will become more concerned with whether or not manufacturers are focused on "sustainability" or creating "locally sourced" products. We may become more willing to compromise on "green" when it comes to "preen," but the consequences of our purchases will remain top of mind.

Over the past 35 years, jojoba has blossomed from an obscure desert shrub found in Arizona and Mexico, to an agro-industrial complex supplying a constant stream of botanical efficacy to the cosmetic industry worldwide. Jojoba is uniquely similar to the natural oils found on human skin. Jojoba ingredients are now supplied by more than a score of manufacturers with links to jojoba farms in as many countries, on almost every continent. Jojoba is a cosmetic ingredient of the future; it is natural, botanical, renewable resource with excellent tactile properties and a special affinity to human skin. For years I have used Jojoba oil as a massage oil for clients with sensitive skin, and you will be seeing more of it.

Blue the new Green?

Blue will replace green as the environmental movement's color. Climate change has quickly become the driver of environmentalism and people worldwide understand that climate is all about the seas and the sky - both blue. Watch for green to become a subset of blue which is coming to denote the much larger emerging spirit of good-citizen ethics.

Nutriceuticals

Beauty beverages, nutriceuticals, gourmet skincare are all sharing common ingredients. The boundary between what we put on and in our bodies to look beautiful has clearly blurred.

This trend started last year with spa goers starting to drink vitamin water. Sequence XO introduced Radiance a phyto-nutrient instant beverage powder that helps restore the natural vibrancy of your skin. Green tea also gained resurgence in popularity with the introduction of Chi Tea a liquid green tea extract which provides you with all of the powerful anti oxidants of 15 cups of green tea in one great tasting beverage. Watch for green tea to be repositioned as a beverage for brain health.

The beauty foods trends will release new product launches in both food and personal care. In addition, there will be a new nutricosmetics which will be orally ingestible products that have the primary purpose of providing beautification of hair, skin, and nails.

The idea of using food-based ingredients in beauty treatments is certainly nothing new. Cleopatra reportedly bathed in milk to keep her skin smooth, and Helen of Troy is said to have used olive oil as a moisturizer. More than ever, we’re seeing beauty companies capitalize on our food-obsessed culture by launching new products made from trendy food ingredients.

In February, Tarte will launch a new collection created from a blend of five antioxidant-rich “super fruits” including: acai, goji berries, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate. This formulation will provide just as many benefits for your skin as they do for your health.

In 2008, there is a possibility probiotics could find its way into chocolate. Chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut has new technology to create a probiotic chocolate bar, while Procter & Gamble may introduce its new Align Daily Probiotic Supplement.

In 2007 Spavelous took a look at fresh and fruity facials, and holiday spice body treatments. Look for this trend to gain in popularity in 2008 as more spas will start to use fresh ingredients in their indigenous spa treatments.