Reduce Reuse Re-purpose

Reduce

It’s heartbreaking how many manufacturers use excessive packaging to retail their products. Sometimes it’s required for safety but in the cosmetic world it’s often done to artificially inflate a products perceived value. The personal care business and the cosmetic world share some of the same mind space when it comes to retail so you find that same behavior bleeding over.

We get it. Who doesn’t love a pretty box with lots of textures and colors and pizzazz? Shinny shimmery glittery things sitting on a shelf capture anyone’s attention. But there is a cost to that and it’s one we all end up having to pay if we fall into that trap. There is an environmental cost with all that excess packaging in addition to the sting in the buyers wallet. Most people think of landfill load after consumer purchase. But that is not the only environmental impact. Take a moment and imagine all of the processes and chemicals that go into one package and then think of the downstream impact of all of those chemicals. The cascading effect grows exponentially.

Over a decade ago, we decided to ignore the market trend of excess and do our own thing. While we can’t get away from packaging, Très Spa uses minimal, recyclable, and/or or reduced packaging for the products. At one point we even made our own paper until it got to much to do. Our gift collections are not tiny sized either. They are full size or travel size and the box is just right to hold all of the product together.

And when we ship your order to you, the box is only large enough to hold your order together. We spend a little extra to get sturdy boxes rather than relying on over-sized flimsy boxes packed with cushions.

Reuse

We can reduce our carbon footprint by reusing packaging. We get the handiness of a tube for certain applications like deodorants. But we get tired of seeing so many tubes entering the recycle program. We wondered what if we made a stick to refill the tube. So we did. Now you can actually reuse the tubes by purchasing the stick refills. Just clean your tube and pop in a new one. We are currently evaluating other products for a similar concept or a buy a “bulk” refill option.

Re-purpose

Some of our packaging can be re-purposed for other things. We intentionally do not glue labels on our gift packaging so that it can easily be re-purposed for a multitude of other storage needs. They fold flat for easy storage as well. Once you’ve used them to the point of falling apart, they can go into your recycle collection bin.

Posted on MarchOctober by Très Spa

Sustainability

We all share one birthright, our position as stewards of the environment. No matter what your position is in life, you own this birthright and the duties and responsibilities that go along with it. What you do matters and the choices you make every day make a difference. Something as simple as how you care for and nurture your skin is one of them and who you choose to support with your purchasing power can have a profound impact. At Très Spa, we take our stewardship responsibility seriously. We focus on all of the little things that go into creating and distributing superior skin care products. We are always striving to make adjustments and improvements to advance our management skills. Sustainability is deeply rooted in our guiding ethos.

Sustainable ingredients

Our quest for sustainability starts with all of the ingredients that go into each product. If you can plant a seed, grow it, harvest, and re-grow it: it’s sustainable. So from the very beginning we made the decision to use botanical ingredients. The oils we use are cold pressed from nuts and seeds that have been grown and harvested responsibly. The scents come from pure essential oils that are cold pressed, steam distilled, or extracted. You will never find artificial fragrances in any of our products. As we have grown and evolved we made the commitment to become full vegan as well as supporting organic growers.

With the exception of a couple of preservatives required for product safety, you won’t find synthesized compounds or nearly natural or nature identical ingredients in our products. We only create authentic natural products.

What you also wont find in our products are chemicals that have been shown to have deleterious effects on delicate environments.

Many products have actually been banned from areas of the planet due to the adverse downstream effects they have. The most notable are certain Sun Screens and Bug Repellents. *If you want an environment friendly bug repellent, you should check out our Hiker’s Heaven line.

At Très Spa, we design our products to be so gentle on the planet that you could stand in the middle of the most delicate remote area of the planet and freely use our products without harming a single living organism. With the exception of bacteria. Soap (this includes our shampoo) has been shown to kill many forms of harmful bacteria. Our products come from nature and are easily absorbed back into nature.

Responsible packaging

We have to put the products in something. In a perfect world, you would be able to stop by and fill up your bottle, jars, and bags but that is not realistic. So we do our best to make the best possible choices that meet the challenges of our customer needs. The organic soaps and organic shampoo are wrapped in recycled paper. All of our white paper labels are printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper. Our packaging can be recycled, reused, and even re-purposed. You can even purchase refills for our stick products. Quite a few of our customers are international travelers so our products need to be travel ready, hence the PET bottles.

We continue to evaluate and make improvements when we can, making Très Spa even better.

Conservation in creation

As a creator of products, it is our responsibility to make sure we are mitigating the effects of manufacturing by controlling the downstream impact. With over a decade of experience we have fine tuned our vendor selection and our processes to minimize waste. In addition, we offset our carbon footprint through charitable donations.

Posted on AprilAugust by Très Spa

Introducing a Fresh New Look for Très Spa Skin Care Packaging

Our New Skin Care Packaging

Tres Spa Organic Silky Skin Dusting Powder “Papa’s got a brand new bag!”

We are thrilled to announce our latest innovative change in our skin care packaging, The Rice Paper bag. We fell in love with these chic little gems and after some design experimentation it did not take long for us to discover the profound impact they could have for a minimalist approach to packaging and lowering the overall carbon footprint. .Another benefit is that I can now offer some products in a bulk bag that I could not do before. Passing a huge savings to you.

Change requires adjustments

We do admit, it is an adjustment but we think the planet is worth it for us to adjust our ways of interacting with our skin care packaging. So does the Très Spa tribe that have begun to transition with us. You can still use a jar or a dish of your choice, simply scoop out the product and put it in whatever container works best for you personally. We have tested the bag in the shower and find it stands up just fine. The label may wash away a bit so there is that. We tested pouring and scooping and digging in with our hands. *All of them work but the favorite one for me is to get my hands in it.

Sometimes you have to weigh the compromise

The bag we now use to package our skin care is a combination of rice paper and a poly sleeve. Plastic in any form is not a perfect solution from an eco-biodegradable position, but it is one that provides a safe clean protection for Très Spa to be able to deliver high quality natural skin care to you. Since it is not susceptible to biological degradation, the product inside can remain safe from micro organisms that would otherwise attack it.

Of course, in a picturesque world you would swing by my place peddling your bicycle and toting your mason jar to fill up from my stainless steel pot. Lovely to think about but not very realistic in a scalable way at the moment. *Yes I have done this very thing as a special request for very select customers.

Package Face Off

Here is a 10 point side by side comparison of the new bag verses the old jar for skin care packaging. It’s some of the things we consider before making a change. While it’s not the bicycle and the mason jar, it is a big step forward. Feel free to comment below to let us know what you think.Did we miss any important points? Which do you think is better?

Rice Bag vs. Plastic Jar

Tres Spa Organic Face Cleanser Coal and Kelp

It is gusseted so it stands up like a jar would.
It seals water tight to protect the product and the zipper allows for resealing once opened.
Bags can be heat sealed after filling so they are more resistant to tampering.
The bags are FDA approved food grade
The bags are fairly transparent allowing you to see the product and how much is left so you can re-order in time
The bags make it very easy to mix the product up just by giving it a little squeeze. *n fact, this is very relaxing and therapeutic. Like one of those Worry stones and stress balls, Try it and you will see what I mean.
The bags do not block UV rays so the shelf life may be shortened if the package is exposed to sun light on a regular basis. Since our products are created in small batches and we practice JIT manufacturing, shelf life has never been an issue. We don’t make things to sit in a warehouse on a shelf for years or to sit in a window display..
The bags require less space and are collapsible as the product is used up.
Only two materials used, Rice Paper and a Poly (PET LLDPE) sleeve barrier.
The bag is a single use item and not really recommended for reuse. I suppose you could if you really wanted to but who would do that?
Both are classed as recyclable and the downcycled material can be used for a variety of items from lower grade materials (food grade plastics post recycle could be used for cosmetic packaging, house cleaner bottles, or even poly fill for winter jackets for example). You can learn more about PET HERE

Tres Spa Sweet Stuff Body Scrub

The jar holds its form and never changes.
The jars seal as well and as long as you had the cap it is very easy to reseal after opening.
Jars can be sealed but the liner does not always work. You can use a heat shrink plastic band to protect from tampering, but then that is more plastic required.
The jars are only cosmetic grade but the plastic is used in food grade packaging as well.
The jars block your view so you have to either open the jar or make a guess as to how much product you have left.
The jars still need to be mixed, but you have to dig in to get to the bottom.
The jars do block some UV rays so the shelf life is extended. Since our products are created in small batches and we practice JIT manufacturing, shelf life has never been an issue. We don’t make things to sit in a warehouse on a shelf for years.
The jars never change shape.
The jars are made of thick walled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), polypropylene lids with liners which are three-ply and have low-density foam cores between two solid layers of low-density polyethylene,
The Jar can be cleaned out and reused at the consumer end. But how many people do that? For health and safety, I cannot take them back.
Both are classed as recyclable and the downcycled material can be used for a variety of items from lower grade materials (food grade plastics post recycle could be used for cosmetic packaging, house cleaner bottles, or even poly fill for winter jackets for example). You can learn more about PET HERE

We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

The information provided at Très Spa is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of the individual contributors, nor anyone else connected to Très Spa can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.

Nothing on Très Spa’s site or included as part of any project or product of Très Spa, should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.

Posted on AprilAugust by Très Spa

Mix It Up Before You Use It

Why Do I Need To Mix It Up Before I Use It?

Mix it up or shake it up, chances are you might need to give your Très Spa product a stir before using. Not all things, but some things like the body scrubs and the aromatic mists may separate when they are resting on the shelf. No need to panic. It’s perfectly normal.

Squeeze To Mix

Tres Spa Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub Sometimes, like with the body scrubs and the organic face cleanser, you need to mix it up. That is because the products do not contain any artificial stabilizers or suspenders to “hold it all together”. They come together like a handshake. When they are resting the heavier items may fall to the bottom while the oil rises to the top.

Our purely natural products have a combination of plant oils and botanical ingredients. They don’t all weigh the same. So, when the oil gets warm, heavier items may fall to the bottom and lighter oils lift to the top. No biggie, you just stir it up a little. (it’s like using fresh handmade Almond milk or Cashew milk in your coffee or tea, without the guar gum, you gotta’ stir it up a little.)

Shake It Up

Très Spa Aromatic Mist – Sacred Smudge

If you have an Aromatic Mist from Très Spa, you’re going to want to shake it up before you spray it. Oil and water don’t mix. That is just a physical fact that will never change. Some things can be used to help the two get along and seem to mix better but that is as far as well can go naturally. Certainly there are synthetic chemicals that can help force the situation, but that is not us. We use only plant based ingredients and we tend to take a more gentle approach to nature. Trying to force things is just…. well… not natural.

So keep it natural, simple, elegant, and eco chic. Shake that bottle and give that bag a little squeeze when needed.

Posted on JuneAugust by Très Spa

The best way to keep cool and dry

What is the best way to keep cool and dry when the heat goes up?

Keep cool and dry even when the heat is up. We all feel a little heat from time to time. Either it is the climate outside or the pressures inside. Something happens and our temp goes up. Given the right conditions, so does our sweat. It’s time like this it may seem impossible to keep cool, calm, and dry. It can really become a problem. Sweating can leave you feeling sticky, slippery, and downright uncomfortable. Add any kind of rubbing action under these conditions and that friction is probably going to lead to some serious irritation. The best intervention to avoid this situation is to have advanced preparation.

Sweating is a natural thing and, for most of us, you should not try to stop the body from doing what it does naturally (dangers of antiperspirants). There are those who suffer from Hyperhidrosis, which is severe and may require medical intervention to help normalize sweat gland production. But how can the rest of us keep cool and dry naturally when the heat gets turned up? Depending on what’s getting you hot, try these techniques to help bring you cool comfort when you need it the most.

The top technique to keep cool and dry in any situation

I would never encourage the use of antiperspirants on a regular basis. But they are designed to stop you from sweating and as far as I know there is nothing in nature that can do that. The number one option for a person who wants to be in harmony with nature is to use nature to help ease the effects. Protect yourself with a natural hydrophobic layer of protection. The one thing I recommend to anyone and everyone, no matter what the circumstances is so simple even a baby understands: Powder up before you leave your home. No matter what the weather or what the life circumstance, you will never regret powdering up before you power up for your day.It is the best intervention you can do to keep cool and dry.

It wont stop you from sweating but it will help to create a barrier so you can dry faster and feel cooler. You can read more about what powders are best and how they work here.

For stress induced situations:

Practice: If you know you are going to be in a stressful situation ahead of time, like a presentation in front of an audience, rehearse as many times as you can beforehand. It’s not enough to read a presentation, you need to stand up and speak the words even if no one is in the room with you. Something triggers in your mind as you hear the words you speak.

Meditation: If you adopt a regular habit of meditation, then you will be able to center yourself no matter what the turmoil is around you. A practice of only 10 minutes a day can have a profound impact on your overall sense of well-being and your ability to handle stressful situations.

Watch the caffeine: I’m not one to say walk away from coffee; I love my coffee. However, if you are under stress, reducing your coffee consumption might prove helpful.

Introduce Herbal Teas: Among your daily beverage choices, add an herbal tea that has botanicals that help to relieve stress and anxiety. Look for organic herbal blends that have chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, passion flower (my personal favorite), and, of course, green tea. All of these herbs have relaxing qualities to them.

Carry a high quality Aromatic Mist with you: Aromatics can alter your state of mind and the general energy around you. Ever notice how no one can ever frown when they smell a strong citrus? It’s more than just a coincidence that Lavender causes so many to relax. Not to sound like I’m bragging, but we happen to have quite a collection of different blends at Tres Spa. Check out our Aromatic Mist category.

If the climate has you in a sweat

Sometimes it’s just plain hot out and this causes you to sweat more. What can do you do to naturally keep cool and dry? Sure, it’s easy to keep cool if you’re in front of a fan or tucked inside in the air-conditioning. But that’s not always possible and not a natural way to control your body’s temperature. So how do you beat the heat?

Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is important any time of year but even more important in hot conditions. You sweat more so you need to replenish those fluids. Sweat is your friend. In fact, it is your natural air conditioner. Sweat on the surface of your skin catches a breeze. The water interacts with the air to give your skin a cooling feeling. I know it can be hard to get enough water when you don’t like the taste of it, so try some life hacks to help you out.

Dress for the occasion: Drape yourself in lose fitting flowing clothes that breathe well. Loose clothes can help create a natural air-conditioning effect because they ride over the surface of the skin and don’t cling too tight.

Mist yourself: It may sound like you’re tossing gasoline to the fire, but you aren’t. I know you want to dry out, but sometimes the fastest way to dry out is to cool off first so use a high quality mist to spritz over you. That moisture will catch even the slightest of breezes and cool you off. Another positive side effect is you will smell really, really, really good and so will your surroundings. Especially if you are using one or the Très Spa multi-purpose skin safe Aromatic Mists.

Keep a cloth handy: Running a cloth under cool water and applying it to your body’s heat points will instantly cool the body. Most common points are the back of the neck, the inside of the wrists, the inside of your elbow, behind your knees, on your ankles, and on the tops of your feet, to name a few.

Take your time: When the heat is on, this is the perfect time for you to slow it down a bit. Take your time and try not to be in such a rush. Channel your inner sloth and make each movement purposeful and slow.

Category: Articles