Inspired by beauty rituals and ingredients around the world, The Body Shop unveils four Spa Wisdom collections for those who want to have a touch of paradise in the comfort of their home.

The WMN Team tried Spa Wisdom Japan, inspired by the bathing rituals of the Land of the Rising Sun to relax the body and the mind.

The Spa Wisdom Japan Ritual:

1. Get your body ready with Japan Adzuki Bean & Rice Washing Grains to remove dead skin cells and reveal smooth, refined skin.




Karyl: Exfoliation removes old skin cells and unclogs pores, which makes it a key step before starting any skincare ritual. The product itself contains a blend of both fine and coarse grains that are designed to exfoliate and cleanse your skin. I used an ample amount of the grains and gently massaged them into my skin in a circular motion before dampening the grains with a bit of water. Don’t be surprised when the grains foam and turn soapy. While I wasn’t completely sure if the product was a dry or wet exfoliant, I discovered that the best way to apply it was first as a dry exfoliant then to rinse it off with water.

The grains themselves aren’t too harsh on the skin, but rough enough to exfoliate so it’ll leave you feeling smooth and clean after one use. Also, the product has a light natural scent and contains sesame oil that moisturizes that skin. I’d recommend it for daily use-the grains are gentle on the skin and perfect for giving it a natural everyday glow.

You may also soak in the bath using Spa Wisdom Japan's Yuzu and Green Tea Bathing Salts.



Jillian: An alternative to soaking in a bath is using the salts as an all-over body scrub. It's more practical, especially in homes without bathtubs. The most striking thing about it is the relaxing scent of green tea that helps you sleep better; it also stays on your skin until you wake up the next day. It definitely helped me calm down after a stressful work week, and it exfoliated my skin better than a loofah! Since the grains are like iodized salt, it really gets to every nook and cranny of your body. When I rinsed off right after, I couldn't help but touch my baby-smooth skin!

Skincare Tip: Only use it as a scrub about twice a week, and never on broken or acne-covered skin, as the grains may tend to be a bit too rough especially when rubbed directly on the skin's surface (Take note not to use too much pressure when scrubbing!). As a soak, this is also ideal for a pre-pedicure footbath.

2. Feel your skin become soft, smooth, and subtly scented as you apply Japan Adzuki Bean & Rice Shower Gel.



Monina: Nothing is better than having to take a bath especially in Manila’s warm weather. So with this in mind, it was a treat to lather on the Japan Adzuki Bean & Rice Shower Gel. Simply pour it onto your favorite loofah or bath sponge and scrub away. The product will leave your skin feeling smooth, with the subtle hint of its irresistible fragrance.

3. After drying, apply Yuzu & Rice Body Milk, a delicate moisturizer containing yuzu and rice extracts, renowned for their hydrating and skin-protecting properties.



Karyl: Keep your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed by making sure to moisturize whenever you can. The Body Shop’s Yuzu and Rice Body Milk is perfect for the job because it’s easy to apply, absorbs quickly into the skin, and has a relaxing light floral fragrance. All you have to do is spray an ample amount of the product onto your skin and massage it in with your fingers using long circular strokes. With natural ingredients like sesame and soya oil which help to moisturize and soften skin, you definitely won’t have problems using this product everyday.

4. To feel refreshed and rejuvenated, complete your ritual with a spritz of the uplifting Apricot & Rice Finishing Mist.




Monina: After your Yuzu & Rice Body Milk treatment, cap off the entire Japanese spa ritual with this finishing Mist. What makes it special is it's enriched with aloe vera, honey, tea seed oil, Argan oil, Japanese apricot, and yuzu fruit extract to moisturize and help care for your skin.

Home Spa Tip: Use this as a room spray to set the mood of your Japanese spa experience.

It's really up to you to decide how you want to use the products - you may use just one of them in combination with your existing beauty routine, or you may skip a step and replace it with something else. It's all a matter of going with what answers your needs to relax, beautify, and achieve your own brand of Zen.

The Spa Wisdom Collection is available in four variants: Spa Wisdom Morocco, Africa, Polynesia, and Japan.

- Jillian Q. Gatcheco, Karyl Coseto, Monina Eugenio
PHOTOS: MITCH MAURICIO