Spa Ziwi’s Pure Oxygen Facial

‘I emerged from this hour-long pampering looking refreshed and feeling good, and it’s not just from the technical aspects of the facial’

FORGET the aromatherapy candles, mood lighting, and soothing music. More than ambience, what we ultimately look for in a spa treatment is something that works and is reasonably priced. When we leave the spa with our exfoliated, massaged, and moisturised skin, we want to look as good as we feel.

I showed up at Spa Ziwi’s Tampines branch with a face clogged with more than a year’s worth of debris (“When was your last facial?” “Ummm...”) My skin was so dry that it resembled a shriveled canvas, and the pores were so large and puckered one could see them with the naked eye. Add to that the red blotches on my cheeks, probably the result of clogged pores.

A beauty consultant at a makeup counter had once shaken her head in dismay and chided me for not taking proper care of my face. I half-expected a reproachful look from the pleasant woman at the reception, but no such putting down happened. This was a safe place, an area that exuded benevolent vibes where blackheads come to die in the soft hands of an expert esthetician.

The Pure Oxygen Facial: For a Face Worthy of the Camera
I came to try the oxygen facial, a treatment that, based on literature I’ve read online, promised smooth, dewy skin worthy of high-definition TV exposure.

The session began with a de-stressing massage, followed by a gesture of goodwill—senior esthetician Ivy offered to clean up my brows—then proceeded with cleansing, removal of blackheads, and a scrub.

The next step is what defines the oxygen facial. Pure medical oxygen and water were introduced to the skin using a high pressure spray. The pressure is strong enough for the oxygen to penetrate the pores yet is not too powerful that it causes discomfort. In some areas of the face, it felt a little like being airbrushed while in others it felt like being right next to a very strong misting fan.

Afterwards, my skin tone was even and hydrated, my red spots were no longer visible, and my enlarged pores were gone. The biggest difference, however, was in how my skin felt. It was softer and suppler. And it was now able to absorb product better.

For my very dry skin, the spray was followed by a hydro massage, where product was applied through even, flowing strokes. Afterwards, an ampule of hydrating fluid was spread with an ultrasonic machine. Finally, I was left to rest for 20 minutes with a cool, minty mask. Products from the French skincare line Bio-C-Ziwi, where the spa gets its name, were used all throughout.

I emerged from this hour-long pampering looking refreshed and feeling good, and it’s not just from the technical aspects of the facial.  With a lesser esthetician, there’s a feeling of being rubbed with marinade like a chicken being prepared for the spit. Ivy’s 10-odd years of experience and the esteem with which she regards her clients made me feel my face was receiving the royal treatment. The way she administered the facial made me think she loved my face more than I did. Even I don’t touch my face that way.

So for how long will I have this this fresh, dewy look? Managing Director Jennifer Lim says the effects of the facial--barring all-nighters, drinking, and smoking—lasts from 7 to 10 days. She recommends getting a treatment once a week at least six times to rehabilitate the skin. Afterwards, maintenance can be once in two weeks or once a month.


Spa Ziwi offers the pure oxygen facial for the unit price of $150 and a package price of up to $2,250 for 15 sessions.

The writer tried the Spa Ziwi Tampines Branch in Blk 406, Tampines St 41#01-29; near Tampines MRT; tel. nos. 6785 7611/ 6786 7641