Sothys, a luxury spa brand based in Brive, central France, is owned by the Mas family and run by brothers Christian and Frederic Mas. The brand prides itself on its French roots and has a genuine focus on the production of high quality, professional skincare and expertise.
The company was originally established as a Parisian beauty institute in 1946, but in 1966 it was acquired by Bernard Mas who had a family history in cosmetics. Mas’ goal was to expand its global presence, range and availability.
Today, Sothys distributes products exclusively through professional spas worldwide, spanning a total of 20,000 facilities in 130 countries.
Developing products specifically with therapies and therapists in mind is something that CEO Christian Mas feels is a key selling point. “Our expertise comes from the treatment," he says, adding that inspiration comes from its 70 years of experience in the field, what the team sees every day and from travels abroad.
“When we create a new product, we always think about the professional side first. The retail is the final touch but it doesn’t work alone. Ultimately, for us, it’s how we fine-tune treatments.”
The essence of family is core to Sothys’ image and this is something that Mas also truly believes makes it stand out in a market dominated by large corporate brands. He says: “It’s very important for our partners to be able to know the owner of the company, it maintains a human relationship and creates a relationship of trust. People need to feel safe about what they buy and where they put their money and as a family company we’re respected in that way.”
Quality is of utmost importance too and it won’t compromise this through extensive mass production. All products are made in its original factory in Brive and are subject to meticulous quality checks and controls.
At the very heart of Sothys’ ethos is nature as a source of inspiration. This is embodied in the Les Jardins Sothys – 4 hectares of stunning botanical gardens on the edge of a lake and the Dordogne Valley in Auriac.
Open to the public since 2006, the gardens were originally designed by Bernard Mas and offer a multi-sensory experience of nature with a series of intimate enclosures. “By losing yourself there, you will feel harmony, serenity and calm”.
The family relies on the garden to provide inspiration and guide their company’s creations. What’s more, the organic flowers, plants and vegetables are used in formulations – it’s even developed a special Bernard Mas Sothys rose to use in a premium skincare line. As its tagline reads: “beauty is our passion, nature is our soul”.
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Sothys, a luxury spa brand based in Brive, central France, is owned by the Mas family and run by brothers Christian and Frederic Mas. The brand prides itself on its French roots and has a genuine focus on the production of high quality, professional skincare and expertise.
The company was originally established as a Parisian beauty institute in 1946, but in 1966 it was acquired by Bernard Mas who had a family history in cosmetics. Mas’ goal was to expand its global presence, range and availability.
Today, Sothys distributes products exclusively through professional spas worldwide, spanning a total of 20,000 facilities in 130 countries.
Developing products specifically with therapies and therapists in mind is something that CEO Christian Mas feels is a key selling point. “Our expertise comes from the treatment," he says, adding that inspiration comes from its 70 years of experience in the field, what the team sees every day and from travels abroad.
“When we create a new product, we always think about the professional side first. The retail is the final touch but it doesn’t work alone. Ultimately, for us, it’s how we fine-tune treatments.”
The essence of family is core to Sothys’ image and this is something that Mas also truly believes makes it stand out in a market dominated by large corporate brands. He says: “It’s very important for our partners to be able to know the owner of the company, it maintains a human relationship and creates a relationship of trust. People need to feel safe about what they buy and where they put their money and as a family company we’re respected in that way.”
Quality is of utmost importance too and it won’t compromise this through extensive mass production. All products are made in its original factory in Brive and are subject to meticulous quality checks and controls.
At the very heart of Sothys’ ethos is nature as a source of inspiration. This is embodied in the Les Jardins Sothys – 4 hectares of stunning botanical gardens on the edge of a lake and the Dordogne Valley in Auriac.
Open to the public since 2006, the gardens were originally designed by Bernard Mas and offer a multi-sensory experience of nature with a series of intimate enclosures. “By losing yourself there, you will feel harmony, serenity and calm”.
The family relies on the garden to provide inspiration and guide their company’s creations. What’s more, the organic flowers, plants and vegetables are used in formulations – it’s even developed a special Bernard Mas Sothys rose to use in a premium skincare line. As its tagline reads: “beauty is our passion, nature is our soul”.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Thomas Klein
Senior living, family resorts and urban retreats are all on the cards for Canyon Ranch says COO and president Thomas Klein. Katie Barnes finds out more
Trends: Spa Foresight™ 2018/19
Spa Business’ predictions for the future include vegan spas, blue light antidotes, home wellness and plastic-free facilities
Interview: Dietmar Mueller-Elmau
The owner of Germany’s Schloss Elmau tells Spa Business why music, culture and spa feed the mind and soul
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Living Earth Crafts has distinguished itself with furniture for the spa industry that combines high design with seamless functionality. Brian Paris gives us insight into the company’s stylish new introductions
Event report: GWS 2018 - Bella vita
An Italian inspired Global Wellness Summit featured fashion, food, fitness and spa… and cameos from Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey. Spa Business gives its highlights
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Spa is the fastest growing sector of the US$4.2tn global wellness economy according to the latest GWI research
Event report: WTA Conference
What do wellness travellers want? And what issues need to be addressed as the wellness tourism sector grows? Anne Dimon reports from the inaugural meeting of the Wellness Tourism Association
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Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
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