Valued beyond jewellery, pearls have also been used in wellness rituals for centuries. Here’s how you can tap into their ancient healing powers at leading resort spas.
The use of pearls in beauty and wellness rituals dates back centuries, with origins in ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Ayurvedic practices. Pearls have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years and were ground into a fine powder, to be used both topically and internally, for their power to enhance beauty, promote healing, and provide a radiant complexion.
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In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, known for her legendary beauty, was said to have used crushed pearls in her beauty regimen and in Indian Ayurvedic practices, pearl powder, known as Mukta Pishti, has been used for its cooling and calming effects on the body. It is believed to balance the Pitta dosha – a combination of fire and water elements – and promote overall well-being, enhancing both physical and mental health.
Today pearls are used to brighten skin, hydrate and nourish, thanks to their essential amino acids; soothe irritated skin and redness, and even to detoxify.
BDMS Wellness Clinic, Thailand
Located at Laguna Phuket, BDMS Wellness Clinic has recently launched the indulgent 30-minute Pearl Facial Treatment. This luxurious facial begins with a gentle cleansing using marine mineral-infused products, followed by exfoliation with crushed pearls for a radiant glow and a soothing mask with seaweed extracts and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and revitalisation, providing calmness and relaxation from inside and out by the end of the session.
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Lon Retreat & Spa, Australia
Located in Point Lonsdale on The Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria Lon Retreat & Spa is an adult-exclusive day spa and accommodation, hidden away on a hill with views of the ocean and lighthouse. The property’s spa capitalises on the healing properties of pearls with its Ocean Goddess treatment, which includes a Pearl Infused Remineralising Mask enriched with active ingredients to regenerate skin cells.
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This all-encompassing 120-minute journey begins with a skin-softening salt exfoliation followed by the pearl mask. Whilst cocooned, you’ll also enjoy a Subtle Energies cleanse, exfoliation, mask and scalp massage. Finish your journey with private steam, full body hydration and a facial massage using precious oils of rose and jasmine to restore sensory balance.
Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Macau
As indulgent a treatment as you’re likely to find in the city, the Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Macao offers a host of pearl-based treatments in collaboration with Black Pearl, including the Gold and Pearl Ceremony. This ritual is the supreme indulgence for the face, body and soul and includes a pearl and mineral salt body exfoliation followed by a massage with gold-infused oil. This ceremony concludes with a facial treatment of gold and pearl designed to create flawless skin and a body that is illuminated and nourished.
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For a little extra indulgence, add on an alginate mask infused with high concentrations of gold, pearl, collagen and hyaluronate. Choose from the 24K Eye Lifting Complex System, the 24K Miracle Facial Mask or the Hair Mask for Keratin Recovery and Repair.
The Ritz-Carlton Bali, Indonesia
One of the island’s most luxurious wellness enclaves, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, at Nusa Dua’s The Ritz-Carlton Bali provides a luxury retreat amid a lush garden. The 60-minute Shine Renewal is a uniquely designed treatment using the lustre of pearls and features a soothing massage with a combination of palm and thumb pressure, using a sensual blend of pearl extract to bestow an iridescent shine and reveal radiant skin.
Safflower oil is also used for its hydrating and nourishing anti-oxidant properties, giving guests the ultimate de-stressing massage.
Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, UAE
The indulgent anti-ageing Luminance Pearl Facial by Experience Spa at the Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman gives spa-goers lustrous skin that will leave them shining like a pearl. This is a luxurious anti-ageing, brightening and firming face treatment that uses pearls, diamonds, powerful antioxidants, oligopeptides, vitamins and special skin-friendly active ingredients to bring out the skin’s best complexion.
