The £100 ESPA facial that works hard to help you relax

The treatment

ESPA Advanced Skin Radiance Facial, £100 for 90 minutes at One Spa.

Why go?

If the changes in temperature are making your complexion look as grey and saggy as an old vest, get along to this spa, where they’re offering the latest from luxury product range ESPA. This facial, according to my therapist, Ishbel, is just as pampering as their other treatments, but “more thorough”.

Our spy says

A visit to One Spa is always heavenly. I feel that all the deeply ingrained gunk on my face is already half dislodged (sorry for the glamour speak) after using their thermal suite – a hammam, saunas, aroma steam room, various tropical rainshowers and outdoor Jacuzzi pool – even before I’ve made it to the treatment room (I never bother with their swimming pool, lovely though it is. Too strenuous).

I arrive in the waiting area and flip through a few magazines before Ishbel comes to collect me.

While she lets me choose the scented oils that she’ll use as part of this experience, I spot a tray on the side, which features a Clarisonic cleansing brush, a pot of white clay, two teardrop-shaped shards of smooth rose quartz and some folded towels. Clues.

My face is cleansed with a potion that contains moringa oil and liquorice before being scrubbed clean with a sonic brush and Optimal Skin ProCleanser, which contains jojoba beads.

Freshened up, my skin is then gently massaged with the cool rose quartz, then a light mask is applied, and I’m given a gentle scalp rub (you can have this dry, if you’re going out afterwards, or, for those who want some deep conditioning, they’ll use ESPA’s Pink Hair and Scalp Mud).

The first face mask is removed with hot towels and replaced by a thicker, menthol-scented one (the white clay), which instantly cools the skin. While this solidifies, my arms, hands and décolleté are massaged with gentle strokes, then Ishbel uses her still-oiled hands to loosen the sides of the mask.

Voila, and it’s lifted off in one movement. I want to applaud, but I’m too relaxed for that kind of enthusiasm. After being anointed with their Skin Radiance Intensive Serum, I’m done.

The results

My skin is more elastic and thoroughly cleansed – just like a new vest, straight out of the packet.

• The Sheraton, 1 Conference Square, Edinburgh, 0131-221 7777, www.onespa.com