Best beauty treatments in Britain

Top beauty treats to renew and refresh

As well as top restaurants and superb shops, Britain also has a lot on offer when it comes to giving yourself a bit of tender loving care. When you feel you've deserved a treat, pop by one of these renowned spas and retreats across Britain to revitalise your hair, body and skin, and leave you feeling fabulous.

St. David's Marine Spa

This spa in the Welsh capital's St. David's Hotel is considered the best in Cardiff. Offering innovative spa treatments and therapeutic experiences, Marine Spa has been awarded Platinum standard by Thalgo and Gold standard by Espa. The spa offers marine treatments which use Thalgo Marine products, containing natural ingredients of the purest form from marine and plant sources; one of the best treatments being the Purity Ritual Facial, which uses active marine ingredients and vegetable milks to hydrate and restore the skin to an intense state of refreshment. Or, try the Extreme Comfort Facial, which is a soothing warm facial mask with concentrated Algomega (algae extract and milk thistle seed oil) to relieve dry or sensitive skin. Whichever treatment you choose, you can be sure it will follow the spa's 'melody' of 'calmness, serenity and peace of mind.'

Organic treatments

If it's an organic treatment you're after, then you want to be assured it uses certified organic ingredients. We're picky with what we put into our bodies, so we should be just as concerned about what we put on it (particularly as products can claim to be organic, even if they only contain one per cent organic ingredients). Sail Lofts Ocean Spa in Cornwall offers a range of relaxing organic treatments using Spiezia's fully certified 100 per cent organic handmade products — all of which are made on Organic Gear Farm in Cornwall. Organic treatments using these products, such as the Relax and Rejuvenate facial, will leave you feeling relaxed from the Indian Ayurvedic massage technique. The previously mentioned Marine Spa also offers superb organic treatments, using the Terre & Mer organic range. Their facial, for example, uses organic lavender oil, orange blossom, organic almond shell, olive leaf and algae — the ultimate combination of organic luxury.

Blue Fish Spa

The Blue Fish Spa in England's picturesque Lake District uses the holistic and organic product range Li'Tya, which is based on ancient Australian Aboriginal healing philosophies — a far cry from your usual spa treatment. Using Aboriginal inspired pressure point massage, treatments such as the Deep Ocean Renewal Facial, which uses marine collagen, kelp and mother of pearl extracts, will leave you deeply relaxed and with a healthy glow. The kelp will benefit the skin by keeping it looking soft and glowing, while the marine collagen has anti-aging benefits on more mature complexions.

Flower facials

Everyone loves flowers, but had you ever considered enjoying them as part of a beauty treat? The luxury skincare range Chantecaille is known for its high concentration of natural botanicals, making facials using these products a beauty experience like no other. Their flower facial at the Chantecaille Healing Spa in London combines lymphatic drainage with a botanical healing mask, with the added treat of rose petals placed over the skin to nourish and refresh. Neal's Yard Remedies, with therapy rooms around Britain, also offer floral inspired treatments, including the Pure Radiance Wild Rose Facial and Nourishing Orange Flower & Jasmine Facial. These aim to hydrate and repair your skin in the gentlest way possible, using the company's signature organic products, including organic almond oil, Rehydrating Rose Toner and Chamomile Cleanser. You'll be left feeling as fresh as a daisy!

Oxygen facial

A popular beauty treatment among A-list celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Madonna, the oxygen facial is an anti-aging and skin-nourishing treatment using purified air — and luckily, it's widely available in Britain. Claiming immediate results, the oxygen facial infuses hydrating serum into the skin and uses a machine to pump out pure oxygen, leaving the skin with a healthy glow and less-visible wrinkles. The Chelsea Day Spa and The Sanctuary in London offer this skin-plumping face treatment — will you indulge? This treatment is over within an hour, so it's recommended as a quick-fix beauty solution before a night out, to give you a healthy glow.

Blythswood Square Spa

For a sophisticated beauty experience, with products made from organic raw ingredients, visit the spa at Blythswood Square hotel in Glasgow. Opt for a Turus facial, Turus being the Gaelic word for journey, to take you on a blissful journey of relaxation. This spa's Turus treatments use the highest quality organic home-grown Scottish ingredients, such as organic milk thistle extract, aloe vera and lavender — the ultimate treat from Mother Nature. Alternatively, try the L'Experience Anne Sémonin Intensive Face & Back Therapy for a truly reviving experience; pure extracts from the apricot kernel, known as 'liquid gold', are used to restore the skin, while you lie on warmed bubbling seaweed — quite a unique experience.

Champneys Spas

Champneys day spas and retreats make Britain's famed spa chain, with locations including Bath, Milton Keynes and Henlow, to name a few. Using the renowned product ranges Carita and Elemis, Champneys spas offer the utmost in relaxation and luxury. With must-have facial treatments including eye brighteners, personalised facials and sculpting facials, there is indeed something for all skin types and beauty needs. Using the famed Decleor holistic products, packed with essential oils, vitamins and minerals, each treatment begins with an acupressure facial massage and products tailored to your skin's needs.

Luxury hair treatments

If it's glossy and thick locks you're after, then look no further than the renowned Micro Mist hair treatment at London's Inanch hair salon. This revolutionary treatment uses mist which is generated by ultrasound to penetrate the roots and give a new lease of life to dull or frizzy hair. Alternatively, book in for a Phyto hair and scalp treatment, which uses active ingredients derived from plants, which is particularly beneficial to those suffering with dandruff or dry hair.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary, in London's Covent Garden, is a spa exclusively for women. It offers some of the best facial treatments in Britain, with the intention always being to care for the client's needs. The Sanctuary even offers a Skin Spa, specifically designed to cater for all your skin and facial requirements. A popular treatment is the Vitamin Facial, which uses electrical currents to penetrate Vitamins A and C to into the skin to encourage the stimulation of collagen, resulting in a youthful complexion. Likewise, the Sanctuary Prescription Facial, which includes a herbal compress massage, aims to give your complexion a treat while you drift off to sleep.

Thermae Bath Spa

A list of top beauty treatments in Britain is not complete without mentioning the spa-tastic offerings of the city of Bath. The Thermae Bath Spa is a day spa with Britain's only natural thermal waters, which were first discovered in 863 BC. Enjoy these natural thermal springs just like the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Georgians did, but be sure to make time for a spa treatment too. Choose a treatment that makes the most of the natural thermal waters, such as Watsu. This soothing therapy involves being held by a therapist in the mineral waters as they manipulate your body into a series of relaxing postures. If this doesn't float your boat, then why not try the Rainforest Showers or Hydro Massage?  The Exfoliating Vichy & Hydro Massage, for example, uses extracts of olive oil, aloe vera scrub, almond oil and Atlantic sea salts, while natural water showers are guided to massage, cleanse and stimulate your body. You'll leave feeling squeaky clean!