As a fruit, an orange is a refreshing summer treat. As a color, it’s warm, bright, and invigorating. When used as an ingredient in spa treatments, it’s a veritable miracle worker—a relaxing trip to a sunny spot, a refreshing dip in the fountain of youth, and a tasty treat all rolled into one. “Orange extracts can be perfect ingredients for spa treatments, not only due to their wonderfully refreshing scent but also due to their numerous benefits,” says Pevonia International corporate educator Melissa Morris. “Orange contains essential vitamin C necessary for collagen formation. Moreover, it is also an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and works at addressing lines, wrinkles, and photodamage. It is also anti-inflammatory and restores balance in the skin.”
Sweet orange oil, meanwhile, reduces stress and acts as a skin tonic because of its gentle astringent properties, says Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, ESPA’s vice president of operations in the U.S. “The essential oil captures the freshness of newly peeled oranges,” she says, adding that ESPA’s Restorative Bath and Body Oils contain sweet orange oils, known to be an antidepressant. ESPA at Acqualina (Miami Beach, FL) uses ESPA’s Signature Body Oil in its Revitalizing Orange Journey ($295, 2 hours), a poultice body treatment infused with orange peel made daily by the spa team using local citrus. “Orange oil can help calm and comfort,” says Garcia-Tunon. “It’s effective in relaxing the mind and body and improving concentration. It is also anti-inflammatory and antiseptic on the skin, as well as a digestive aid.”
Another anti-inflammatory ingredient is neroli, a bitter orange flower that is also hydrating, healing, and calming to the skin. When used in aromatherapy treatments, it balances the mind and improves concentration. “It requires more than one ton of petals to produce just one kilogram of essential oil,” says Garcia-Tunon. “Subsequently, it is one of the most expensive and precious essential oils.” In aromatherapy, neroli is used for soothing, uplifting, and relaxing. It also helps to stimulate the growth of healthy new cells, and therefore has rejuvenating effects on the skin. It is particularly useful for dry or sensitive skin.
Orange’s mood-boosting qualities give the fruit a starring role in the Spring Renewal Massage ($140, 50 minutes) at Three Springs Spa at Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Austin, TX). It promotes relaxation using long strokes and Epicuren Orange Citrus Body Butter to nourish, tone, and renew the body. “The orange is invigorating, and the smell of citrus promotes a positive mood,” says Shana Ominsky, spa and wellness director. “It’s an uplifting scent, and the client leaves with both body and mind invigorated and rejuvenated.”
In addition to its de-stressing and restorative benefits, orange’s collagen-building, packed-with-vitamin-C properties make it perfectly suited to facials. Its anti-aging properties work well to correct uneven skintone, sunspots, and post-blemish marks. For these reasons, Jurlique uses citrus unshiu peel extract, also known as satsuma mandarin peel extract, in its Purely White Skin Brightening Essence, a brightening treatment product featured in the Purely White Brightening Facial ($125, 75 minutes) offered at Votre Beaute (Sherman Oaks, CA). “This is a wonderful natural alternative to skin lightening, as it inhibits the production of melanin,” says Lisa Polley, Jurlique’s director of education and business development. Jurlique blends the citrus unshiu peel extract with kakadu plum extract, a rich natural source of vitamin C, as well as ascorbyl glucoside, or stabilized vitamin C, and African birch extract, which is a powerful antioxidant and skin-firming agent. The blends boost the vitamin C delivery, which helps treat pigment irregularities. “Vitamin C is a tyrosinase inhibitor,” says Polley. “Tyrosinase is an enzyme found in the cells that releases melanin pigment and causes the darkening effect when stimulated by UV light. Regular use of vitamin C topically reduces melanin production while also promoting collagen synthesis.”
At DayDreams Day Spa (Lakeland and Brandon, FL) clients can opt for Pevonia Botanica’s Luminous “C” & “Sea” Mask ($100, 55 minutes). The repairing facial combines high-potency vitamin C and hydrating seaweed, followed by a cooling mask infused with orange extract. When performing a treatment in which orange is a featured ingredient, Morris suggests serving a healthy orange-infused beverage, like Spalasium’s Renew Vital-I-Tea, which contains orange peel.
Resorts in citrus-heavy states, like Arizona, Florida, and southern California, have an added advantage when it comes to offering treatments containing orange, as many spa-goers enjoy services featuring indigenous ingredients. Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms (Phoenix, AZ), which features orange in six of its treatments, still maintains part of the property’s original orange grove. Guests can smell the sweet scent from the grove and then bask in its benefits inside the spa. “We offer our signature neroli services year round as part of our menu, and the front desk staff is trained to suggest these treatments for clients looking for something unique to the area,” says spa coordinator Meghan Zazzarino.
Similarly, Florida’s Ritz-Carlton Spa Orlando revels in its state’s signature fruit. The spa butler serves old-fashioned freshly squeezed orange juice, and there is even a full-time citrus consultant who offers spa guests advice and homecare remedies, such as the recipe for a citrus spice bubble bath. As for services, guests can luxuriate in the Citrus Indulgence Manicure ($40, 30 minutes) and Pedicure ($65, 45 minutes), which use mandarin and tangerine. The Citrus C Facial ($150, 50 minutes), which uses products from Éminence Organic Skin Care, gives skin a vitamin-rich burst of citrus with mandarin to promote hydration and vitamin C to promote collagen stimulation. “Orange is one of the favorite fruits in the world,” says spa director Suzanne Holbrook. “The very smell of it reminds clients of happy moments and brings happy thoughts to mind. That is why it is used in our spa menu. It gives a relaxed feeling and works as a mood lifter.” The bottom line is, adding orange-inspired services to your menu will most certainly prove to be a fruitful endeavor for both you and your client.
Offer your clients a little zest for life with these products infused with this feel-good fruit.
A Natural Difference Zesty Orange Moisturizer: Combined with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, this moisturizer repairs and restores the skin. (888) 568-3150; www.anaturaldifference.com
BioAge Dermocosmetics Passion Fruit & Orange Tropical Fruits Water: This extract combines passionfruit and toner to help combat oily skin while moisturizing. (877) 288-9116; www.bioagecosmetics.com
Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser: Formulated with fruit extracts and orange oil, this cleanser helps clients achieve a radiant appearance. (800) 433-6650; www.bioelements.com
CBI Laboratories Orange Blossom Cleansing Milk: Orange aromatics and mild pH-balanced surfactants gently cleanse and nourish the skin. (800) 822-7546; www.cbiskincare.com
CellCeuticals Extreme Defense: This daily treatment contains antioxidants and essential oils, including orange, to fight against aging. (888) 695-0335; www.cellceuticalskincare.com
Deserving Thyme Mega Moisturizing Body Butter: This shea butter is blended with Mandarin orange essential oils, tangerine, and vanilla. (888) 468-4963; www.deservingthyme.com
Éminence Organic Skin Care Mandarin & Rooibos Antioxidant Masque: This mask contains rooibos tea, Mandarin orange essence, and zinc to heal and nourish the skin. (888) 747-6342; www.eminenceorganics.com
Fleur’s Delight Scrub Flowers and Fruit: This scrub containing apricot kernel powders, coconut shell, date kernel, and orange blossom water, removes dead skin cells. (800) 227-8051; www.fleurs.com
GlyMed Plus Physician Elite Vitamin C Serum: Ideal for use post-procedure, this serum is packed with essential oils, including Mandarin orange oil, to soothe skin. (800) 676-9667; www.glymedplus.com
Jurlique Orange Pure Essential Oil: This oil relaxes and calms the senses, and its orange essential oils are especially beneficial for oily skin. (800) 854-1110; www.jurlique.com
Ilike Organic Skin Care Pumpkin & Orange Mask: This mask renews dehydrated and aging skin with orange, pumpkin, herbal oils, and honey. (888) 290-6238; www.szepelet.com
Kimberly Parry Organics Smooth Organic Body Oil: This all-over body oil is blended with essential fatty acids, sweet orange and vitamin E to smooth and hydrate the skin. www.kimberlyparry.com
Kneipp Herbal Body Wash Orange & Linden Blossom: Made with orange blossom extract and essential oils, this body wash was designed to calm the nerves while leaving the skin moisturized and freshly scented. (800) 937-4372; www.kneippus.com
Novena Maternal Skin Care Organic Fruit Face Wash: Made with organic ingredients such as organic orange fruit extract, this face wash cleanses even the most sensitive skin of pregnant women and new mothers. (855) 4-NOVENA; www.novenamaternity.com
OM4 Citrus Bamboo Resurfacing Scrub: Ideal for the treatment of large pores and ingrown hairs, this scrub combines bamboo; fruit acids of lemon, lemongrass oils, lime, and neroli; and detoxifying tangerine. (877) 898-MALE; www.om4men.com
Pevonia Botanica Micro-Emulsion Massage Oil Anti-Stress: This tension-relieving oil contains geranium, orange, and safflower oils to help calm the nerves. (800) PEVONIA; www.pevonia.com
Pino Orange Lemongrass Massage Oil: This oil features the aromatic scent of orange blossom combined with lemongrass, creating an invigorating experience for fatigued clients. (866) 446-5930; www.pinospa.com
PremierSpa Essentials Hand Treatment: Infused with apple extracts, collagen, grape, lemon extracts, olive oil, orange, and vitamin E, this treatment moisturizes dry hands. (877) 366-5274; www.premierlash.com
Sanítas Skincare Orange Pomegranate Body Lotion: This lotion is formulated with essential fatty acids and vitamins to relieve dry skin and add moisture. (888) 855-8425; www.sanitas skincare.com
Yon-Ka Paris Vital Defense: Made with Mandarin orange peel oil, this moisturizer is complete with anti-aging, anti-pollutant, and antioxidant properties. (800) 533-6276; www.yonkausa.com