Oskia is a skincare brand that first started appearing in my skincare routine about 10 years ago. I’ve had intermittent obsessions with several of their products, including the Renaissance Cleansing Gel and Micro Exfoliating Balm.
Although the brand has been around since 2009, it has kept a reasonably level profile, thanks to the deliberate approach of founder Georgie Cleeve. Known for her aversion to noisy marketing, Cleeve focuses on creating meticulously formulated products that address specific skin concerns. Space NK became a key retail partner over a decade ago, making the brand available to Irish consumers..
In 2023, Oskia partnered with The Castle Spa at Dromoland Castle. I was invited to try a treatment, and chose the Renaissance Vitamin Body Glow (€180), which uses one of my favourite Oskia products: the Renaissance Body Scrub (€59), a rich, enzyme-infused scrub with a soufflé-like texture.
Visiting The Castle Spa at Dromoland is an experience. Tucked away in the lower floors of the main castle, the small spa offers a serene pink-hued retreat. There are six treatment rooms, along with an Amber and Quartz Crystal bed for hot massage. The treatment menu offers bespoke face and body treatments from niche, high-performance brands, including Oskia, Seabody and Dr Barbara Sturm.
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My therapist Patricia explained that the treatment would begin with a pink Himalayan salt scrub for my entire body, followed by a velvet clay body mask, which also includes a full-body massage during application.
After a few minutes of being methodically exfoliated, I started to unwind. The clay mask was applied, which felt soothing after the slight tingling from the scrub. Just under an hour later, Patricia turned up the lights to ease me out of my trance and advised that I give myself “a good rinse” to remove all remnants of the scrub and clay mask. “Your skin will feel like silk after,” she said. The change was remarkable. My skin was baby soft, smooth and hydrated despite no creams being applied.
I walked up the stairs without realising I was still in my robe and had left all my belongings behind. I returned to reception, suitably mortified. The therapist at the desk laughed and said, “It happens all the time, don’t worry. It’s because you’re so relaxed.” I couldn’t argue with that.
This week I’m loving ... Remi Daily Anchor Morning Scalp Serum
Designed to strengthen hair from root to tip and help prevent breakage, Remi Daily Anchor Morning Scalp Serum (€52, available at remiscalp.com) is a water-based product that won’t weigh down the hair or leave residue behind. Created by Irish trichologist Claire Fullam, it has a pipette applicator for easy dispensing on to the scalp, where it can be gently massaged into dry or damp hair every morning.
