Galen Spa, Didim

Whenever I need a reset, I usually turn to one of three things: a facial, a massage, or a long hammam session. Ideally, all three. So during a recent stay at Anda Barut Collection, a sprawling resort set on one of Didim’s secluded bays, a visit to Galen Spa felt like exactly the kind of reset I was already craving.

The hotel’s Galen Spa offers a range of massage and skincare treatments. For skincare, it uses products from Natura Bissé, a well-established Spanish brand. Developed with a science-led approach, the line combines active ingredients such as AHAs and retinol with formulas designed to keep skin feeling comfortable. Beyoncé famously references Natura Bissé’s Diamond Cream in Upgrade U, giving the moisturizer a place in pop culture history.

On to my own facial. I went with the Red Carpet Facial, a roughly 30-minute treatment using Natura Bissé products. Before it began, the meditation through the Mindful Touch virtual reality headset felt futuristic and calming at once. Meanwhile, my esthetician massaged my body with lavender essence to prepare me for the facial.

The session started with a cleanse, then she brushed on the Peel ampoule, a glycolic acid formula. Over the eight minutes it sat, I felt an intense tingling, but no sensitivity set in. After the acid, the aloe vera Radiance ampoule went on and calmed my skin. We finished with the Lift ampoule, which contains collagen and aims to firm the skin.
By the end of a session that left me feeling really good, my skin looked much brighter and firmer. The kind of result that makes you spend a little longer looking in the mirror than usual. I liked that you can buy the ampoules and keep using them at home. Along with the Red Carpet Facial, Galen Spa’s menu includes Diamond Energy, Essential Lift, Antiox Glow C+C, Oxygen Infusion, Repressing Calm Couperose Reparative, and Express Glow Face Lift. And you can pick whichever one suits what your skin needs.

Wondertip: Before your facial, I’d recommend the 45-minute Welcome Massage. This gentle massage loosens the muscles and is sure to leave your whole body relaxed. A swim in the spa’s indoor pool is another lovely way to make the most of your time there.

Altınkum, 354 Sok No:2, Didim
@galen_spa