Indulge with Aromatherapy Associates

I had a brief encounter with Aromatherapy Associates during my travels to Europe years ago, and had fond memories of delicately-scented baths and wonderfully relaxing aromas.  So, when I heard that Aromatherapy Associates is now available in Asia via Sephora.sg, I was stoked!  I had the opportunity to get to know the brand and their products better through an intimate session recently, and experienced their products first-hand through a luxurious massage at The Fullerton Spa.  After all, Aromatherapy Associates first made a name for itself in the luxury spa business, so what better way to get acquainted than at the very beginning?  Aanndd…. it was heavenly!

Aromatherapy Associates was founded more than 30 years ago on the philosophy of enhancing the state of our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through the therapeutic effects of essential oils.  I must admit, other than the random home fragrances and candles, I am a big skeptic when it comes to using essential oils on the body for health because there are just so many ungrounded “tips” being handed out by marketers.  So it was really refreshing to meet a company whose founders both trained under one of the earliest practitioners of aromatherapy; and takes a very artful and scientific approach towards working with natural oils and plant extracts.

What I appreciate about Aromatherapy Associates is that they pride themselves on using some of the highest concentrations of pure essential oils in their products, as much as 30% per bottle.  There is no industry standard or governing body when it comes to essential oils, and unfortunately concentrations are never printed on product labels.  So it is comforting to know that Aromatherapy Associates takes care that each ingredient has a positive role to play.  For example, they use regenerative Damask rose water instead of plain water; and vitamin and omega-rich plant oils such as jojoba, evening primrose and arctic strawberry seed oil, and shea and murumuru butters as carriers as these have a natural affinity with essential oils, helping them to work to their best potential.  Their products are free of mineral and sulphonated oils, GM ingredients, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), petrolatum, propylene glycol, parabens, animal derivatives, and synthetic colours or fragrances.  Aromatherapy Associates also does not support animal testing and does not use ingredients that have been tested on animals.

There are over 100 products to choose from, addressing specific needs and skin types and encompassing skincare, body care, home and travel.  There is even a skincare collection for men!  I had the pleasure of trying out one of their best selling  Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection, and it really is a wonderful way to experience the best of Aromatherapy Associates.  Several of you had spied this on my Instagram feed when I first received this, and left me enthusiastic comments, so I know this is truly an Internationally-loved product!  The box contains 10 x 3ml vials of Aromatherapy Associates’ award-winning blends of natural oils, ranging from relaxing and de-stressing to reviving, and even blends for decongestion, skin soothening, and spirit uplifting.  There is also a very special blend called Inner Strength, which was created by founder Geraldine Howard to help her through a very difficult phase of her cancer treatments.  Today, 10% of all proceeds from Inner Strength goes towards the Defence Against Cancer Foundation, which is researching a new cancer vaccine treatment.

Aromatherapy Associates is now available online at Sephora.sg [shop here unaffiliated link], so you may browse away at your own leisure!  If you’d like to experience the products for yourself, I would recommend you to head over to The Fullerton Spa where there is a large selection available.  Of course, whilst you are there, why not book yourself a relaxing massage using Aromatherapy Associates oils too?!  There is really no better way to unwind….!