Over the past few years, consumers have become more aware of the environmental impact of their beauty purchases and the services they choose to support. This growing consumer awareness has translated into a simple question: what are we putting on our skin? In this post, we feature an extract from our annual Longevity bookazine edition, where we feature leading luxury South African spas committed to sustainable beauty therapies.
Beauty Spas Trailblazing Luxury Sustainability
The Saxon Spa in Sandhurst
Located in Johannesburg, The Saxon Spa provides guests with the ultimate luxury, green, and pampered experience:
- Subtle Energies Skincare: An aromatherapy range inspired by Ayurveda, the products are ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and made without parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic ingredients. The anti-aging formulations work harmoniously with the body and the environment.
- Topia Water System: The water purification and dispensing system promotes clean, sustainable hydration, while reducing single-use
- Locally made amenities and spa products: The spa has collaborated with local producers to create a bespoke range of spa amenities, celebrating indigenous ingredients and craftsmanship. These proudly South African products are developed with minimal environmental impact and presented in sustainable packaging wherever possible.
- Other products: LEVY Switzerland is a pioneering stem cell-based skincare range offering advanced anti-aging technology and clinical results, while maintaining a commitment to clean, cruelty-free formulations. ZENTS is a mindful luxury brand offering ultra-hydrating body therapies and scent experiences, using organic, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Signature treatment: Himalayan Signature Journey from the Soul
This one-and-a-half-hour treatment features Soul by Saxon, the spa’s signature line. It was developed with skincare experts and handcrafted using locally sourced African botanicals. Formulated to nourish, protect, and rejuvenate, the range is free from harsh chemicals and aligns with a natural, sustainable ethos that honors both skin and the environment. Visit the website for more information about the spa.
Spier Spa
The Spier Spa is designed to rejuvenate and restore, with treatments inspired by the indigenous botanicals of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world’s most biodiverse biome. Thousands of healing plants and herbs call this region home, and many of them grow on Spier’s farm.
The range of all-natural treatment products was specifically created for the spa experience in consultation with Spier’s resident phytotherapist, who is on hand to personalize your wellness journey, using remedies rooted in African tradition.
What to expect
Treatments focus on calming inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and encouraging cell renewal.

Spier’s overarching sustainability policies include:
- Water-wise landscaping: The Spa Garden is planted with indigenous, drought-resistant flora to reduce irrigation needs.
- Conscious amenities: Spa treatments use natural, locally sourced products that are free from harmful chemicals and made from Cape healing herbs grown and harvested according to a regenerative philosophy.
- Greywater reuse: Recycled water from other areas on the farm supports irrigation, helping to conserve potable water.
- Waste separation: Waste generated at the spa is sorted for recycling, composting, or reuse as part of Spier’s zero-waste-to-landfill.
Signature treatment
The Cape Herbal Bath House is all about detoxification and deep relaxation. You start with a warm exfoliation using fresh snowbush and herbal salt, drawing out toxins and preparing your body for the next step. Then you’re wrapped in a cozy linen blanket and treated to an aromatic herbal bath and scalp massage. The experience ends with a luxurious shea butter massage and a nourishing platter of farm-fresh food, perfectly paired with a glass of Spier’s organic wine. Visit the website for more information about the spa.
Terre Paisible
Terre Paisible is a unique luxury wellness destination, combining a beauty spa’s appeal with medical science.
With a confluence of advanced aesthetic treatments, luxury facilities, and expert practitioners, in the tranquil surrounds of the Cape’s Franschhoek Valley, Terre Paisible Medical Rejuvenation & Spa offers guests a transformational journey to optimum well-being and vitality.
Peaceful land
With its name meaning “peaceful land,” this luxury wellness destination promises guests a sensory reset, with absolute privacy and deep relaxation. Within easy reach of other Cape Winelands hotspots and a 50-minute drive from Cape Town, it’s tucked away between olive groves and vineyards on a working boutique farm, home to Terre Paisible’s award-winning collection of terroir-driven fine wines and extra-virgin olive oils.
Led by top professionals such as Dr. Marlé le Roux and international consultant Tania Malan, wellness plans are crafted using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. This allows the team to create bespoke programs that consider each guest’s genetic makeup, gut health, hormone levels, and overall physiology. Visit the website for more information about the spa.
Editor’s note: While there are many spas in South Africa, this article reviewed only luxury spas with a deep commitment to nature-based therapies.
Main photo credit: Spier Spa
Read About The Latest In Sustainable Beauty
The definition of “clean beauty” appears to differ among brands, but it’s not just about what goes into the bottle, but also how it’s made, used, and eventually – ideally – recycled or biodegraded.
As such, here’s the ultimate green beauty guide to help make your skincare choices a little cleaner.
GRAB A COPY OF OUR LATEST LONGEVITY
This luxury spa article is extracted from our “Back to the Earth” edition. Get a copy to read more.
From expert insights with Dr. Zach Bush, Dr. Ash Kapoor, Oscar Chalupsky, Dr. Ela Manga, Dr. Maureen Allem, Dr. Anushka Reddy, Dr. Des Fernandes, Dr. Craige Golding, and many more, this issue explores everything from food, clean beauty, sustainable living, fashion, travel, and other mindful choices.
While available nationally in Southern Africa at your nearest Woolworths, Exclusive Books, and selectively at Superspar, Pick’n Pay, Airport lounges, and your local garage shop, you can also buy a digital copy at Zinio.com.


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