What better place to rediscover your equilibrium than the stunning Spa at the Goodwood Hotel in the stunning South Downs? Surrounded by 12,000 acres of historic parkland, it might be best known for its motorsport and horse racing heritage — but step into its tranquil spa sanctuary and it’s a different world. I skipped along to the countryside a few weeks ago, with the intention of enjoying 24 hours of self care, and that is exactly what I did – partly thanks to the extraordinarily beautiful weather but mostly down to the staff and professionalism of the Soa therapists and hotel staff.
I arrived with the intention of experiencing the latest facial designed to restore balance using British brand, Elemental Herbology products. Founded on the ancient philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the ethos is both simple and powerful – true skin health is achieved by aligning the body and mind through the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Recently named Best Natural Spa Brand in the UK at the 2023 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards, Elemental Herbology is more than a skincare label. It’s a conscious movement — ethical, plant-powered, cruelty-free, and sustainably packaged — with a focus on intelligent wellness for women at every stage of life.
I was booked in for the Metal Longevity Facial, featuring the newly launched Pause & Renew Serum, an advanced formulation specifically created to support skin through perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal imbalances. As someone navigating the unpredictability of these very changes, the treatment felt both timely and tailored.
Before the facial, my therapist guided me through an elemental consultation — a brief but illuminating ritual that determined my dominant element. Unsurprisingly, I was aligned with Water: the element of reflection and restoration. But the treatment itself centred on Metal, the element linked to the skin, and symbolic of refinement, clarity, and letting go — a perfect metaphor for this phase of life.
The facial began with the Vital Cleanse, followed by the Cell Nourish Serum, packed with vitamins and antioxidants to revive dull skin. A cooling Water Soothe Mask delivered instant hydration and calm, before the Pause & Renew Serum was gently massaged into my skin using rose quartz rollers. The effect was both grounding and transformative.
What set this facial apart wasn’t just the skin benefits — though my complexion emerged noticeably firmer, dewier, and more radiant — but the emotional release that accompanied it. Long, sweeping massage strokes, tension-melting acupressure, and the aromatic cocoon of essential oils (lavender, geranium, frankincense, and patchouli) created a full-body sense of serenity.
What sets this apart from other facials are the ingredients which nod to natural science and traditional wisdom and they are designed to target specific hormonal shifts such as loss of elasticity to inflammation and hot flushes.
Elemental Herbology’s Pause & Renew treatment isn’t just a facial. It’s a ritual of release, designed to honour the physical and emotional shifts that often go unspoken in the world of beauty. And at Goodwood, where stillness is cultivated with intention, it’s given the space it deserves.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability, ethics, and holistic healing makes it a natural partner for spas seeking to offer more than surface-level indulgence. It’s a thoughtful rebellion against rushed routines and age-denial messaging — offering instead a way to tune in, rebalance, and embrace the next chapter with grace.
Discover Elemental Herbology here
Pause & Renew Serum (£60)