Sustainable beauty is shaping the future of skincare, and The Body Shop has always led the way in this category. And, when the brand relaunches an icon, it is never just about skin. It is about values, responsibility and care for the planet.
This September, the Spa of the World™ collection made its much-awaited return. I was lucky to experience it at the extraordinary Bila House in Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
It was a warm, peaceful Tuesday morning when I set off from my little cottage in the NSW Southern Highlands. The three-and-a-half-hour crawl through peak-hour traffic left me a little more than frazzled, but that quickly changed the moment I arrived.
Bila House, designed by Silvester Fuller and Jamie Durie, is known as Australia’s most sustainable home. It blends into the landscape using recycled materials, solar energy and water-saving design. It was the perfect backdrop for The Body Shop’s celebration of sustainable beauty and the ultimate way to show that indulgence and integrity can be happy partners.
From the moment I arrived, I felt as if I had stepped into an eco-luxe retreat. The 360-degree view of Pittwater and the soft scent of essential oils — the Spa of the World™ collection, each product showcasing the brand’s dedication to clean, ethical and sustainable beauty.
A Day Devoted to Calm and Conscious Living
We began with yoga and breath work on the rooftop garden. The Sydney spring sun warmed my shoulders, as we moved through various asanas and deep breathing exercises before floating back downstairs to the spacious living area. There, a soothing foot scrub using Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil deepened my relaxed state even more. And… just when I thought the day couldn’t get better, a sound healing therapist showed up!
The sound therapy took me to the deepest meditative state I think I’ve ever experienced. I don’t quite recall walking downstairs to where a massage table was set up, but I do remember feeling cocooned, supported and thoroughly relaxed the second I lay on the bed.
The next thing I knew, the therapist was waking me and presenting me with a gorgeous basket filled with all the products from the range, a fluffy white towelling robe and some gorgeous sheepskin slippers from EMU Australia.
I felt light, restored and thoroughly spoilt as I joined the group for a sushi and sashimi lunch out on the balcony. The calm, the food and the sunshine created a moment that felt perfectly in tune with the day’s theme of sustainable beauty and wellbeing.
The afternoon included a sauna and ice bath, followed by a peaceful matcha tea ceremony. The day ended with a performance by Prinny Stephens and her guitarist Daniel, who sang Indigenous songs from around the world. As the sun dipped over the water, I thought about how powerful it is when self-care, sustainability and culture come together.
Luckily, I didn’t have to drive home and lose that feeling by fighting traffic. My best friend lives nearby, so I stayed the night and drove home early before the peak hour traffic could spoil this serene feeling. That night, my bestie and I watched the sunset from her balcony and I shared the goss on what felt like one of the most thoughtful beauty launches I’ve attended.
Sustainable beauty in The Body Shop Spa of the World™ collection
Spa of the World™ brings The Body Shop’s legacy of ethical beauty to a new generation. The range focuses on naturally inspired ingredients, fair-trade sourcing and recyclable packaging. Each formula turns daily skincare into a ritual that honours both your body and the planet.
Japanese Camellia Body Cream
This light cream uses camellia oil, a centuries-old beauty secret from Japan. It leaves skin soft and smooth while celebrating sustainable ingredient sourcing.
Hawaiian Kukui Body Cream
Kukui oil is rich in essential fatty acids that support the skin barrier. Its sourcing upholds traditional Hawaiian cultivation and protects local biodiversity.
Tahitian Tiare Body Wash
This body wash combines coconut oil and Tiare flower. The ingredients are harvested with care to protect their environment. It cleanses gently while promoting sustainable beauty practices.
Bulgarian Peony Body Wash
Peony extract provides a mild cleanse and a fresh floral fragrance. Every ingredient is chosen for its traceability and respect for nature.
Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil
Cupuaçu butter from the Amazon exfoliates and deeply hydrates. Its fair-trade sourcing supports rainforest communities and encourages sustainable farming.
Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil
A nourishing blend of coconut oil and Tiare flowers. It gives skin and hair a radiant glow and supports local producers through ethical sourcing.
“Self-care should feel indulgent but still be accessible,” says Fiona Lancaster, Head of Marketing and Product at The Body Shop. “With Spa of the World™, we’ve created a collection that delivers spa-like experiences at home. High-quality, naturally inspired ingredients help people feel restored in their own space.”
The Future of Sustainable Beauty
Sustainability is no longer optional in beauty. It is essential. Global reports from Vogue Business and Women’s Health confirm that people now expect transparency, traceable ingredients and biodegradable packaging from every brand.
The Body Shop has led this movement since 1976, when Dame Anita Roddick founded the company in Brighton, England. The Spa of the World™ relaunch continues that legacy.
