We asked your favorite industry pros for their insight on the top summer spa treatment for beauty and wellness.

What are the skin and body benefits of thalassotherapy?

Philippe Therene, project development coordinator, Universal Companies: Thalassotherapy is the use of seawater and seaweed for beautification and therapeutic purposes. The sea itself contains around 60 minerals and trace elements and the majority of them are essential to the human organism. Through the osmosis process, bathing in seawater and seaweed brings these essential minerals to the body and skin.

Christine Dunn, national director of education, Pevonia Natural Skincare: Thalassotherapy stems from the ancient Greek words “thalassa” for sea and “therapia” for treatment. Curated by our spa ancestors for relieving ailments like body aches and pains, it improves circulation, helps treat cutaneous abnormalities, and assists in wound healing and repair. Because of the negative ions thalassotherapies provide, treatments can also benefit those suffering from depression and anxiety.

Irina Mark, president, BelleCôte Paris: Healing sea minerals can dramatically improve the complexion and balance skin’s metabolism, leading to more rapid cell turnover. Seawater, enriched with minerals and trace elements like magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc and proteins, help restore the skin’s natural chemical balance and systemically revitalize, detoxify, heal and cleanse. Marine mud provides deep hydration, oxygenation and relief from conditions like acne and eczema, as well.

Related: Thalassotherapy 101: The Benefits of Seawater in the Spa

Describe your ideal thalassotherapy treatments.

Beth Ann Maloney, spa trainer, Swissline by Dermalab and Thalgo USA: A warm seawater bath with jets positioned to the exact right spots on the body, then a Thalgo MMA warm marine mud wrap, with a scalp massage. It also works well with a full body massage or a hydrating body wrap.

Michael Nenner, executive vice president, Gurney’s Resorts: Our Sea & Salt Glow Body Scrub clears away dead skin, increases cell turnover and boosts circulation with an invigorating body polish. The experience incorporates salt and sea elements with organic seaweed, leaving skin buffed, restored and glowing.

Dunn: My ideal thalassotherapy treatment would be one that layers the atoligomer: a prepared sea salt scrub to exfoliate; customized water for removal; a wrap in a warming cocoon of micronized algae powder reconstituted with atoligomer water; and completed with a moisturizing veil of natural body lotion, also with an atoligomer infusion.

Mark: Our Triple Collagen facial features an excellent algae-derived protein source that brings elasticity and a visible lifting effect to the skin, increasing firmness and reducing wrinkles. The mask portion relaxes and hydrates the complexion, revealing a fresh, more youthful appearance. The Black Mud Nourishing Mask is another favorite, as the unique combination of seaweed and healing mud from the Dead Sea treats oily skin and acne without over-drying.

Therene: Because seaweeds concentrate thousands of times the amount of minerals found in seawater, their application to the skin is extremely beneficial. So, ideal thalassotherapy treatments involve bathing in real or reconstituted seawater (a hydrotherapy tub is ideal) with dry or live seaweed added in. Seaweed masks make for wonderful face and body treatments; they can be administered through body wraps and reconstituted seaweed pastes.

What treatments pair well with thalassotherapy?

Mark: We love vitamin C serums and other antioxidants that combine to bring deep healing properties to the skin. Another wonderful application for thalassotherapy is to combine it with massage: A therapeutic hydromassage using lavender and chamomile oils will soothe and soften the skin while leaving the guest feeling calm and relaxed. A rejuvenating seaweed peel, containing algae and laminaria extract blended with mandelic and lactic acids, creates an exfoliation treatment that renews and revitalizes the skin. Exercise performed in seawater has benefits that extend beyond that of regular activity, and it’s easier on joints and ligaments, especially for people who experience pain during typical exercise. Combining thalassotherapy with relaxing yoga or Pilates is a perfect pair as well!

Dunn: You can opt for any body detoxification wraps, mud masks, seaweed masks, marine salt scrubs, charcoal facial masks, lymphatic massage and, of course, anything that is sourced from the ocean for a fuller experience.

Therene: Thalassotherapy treatments can be administered on their own or in conjunction with light therapy, microdermabrasion, oxygen or cryotherapy. Seaweed body wraps can be combined with massages. Thalasso baths in a hydrotherapy tub, where sea salt and liquid seaweed are added, can be enhanced with underwater pressure massage.

Nenner: We recommend combining thalassotherapy with our Halotherapy Himalayan Dry Salt Massage. Salt therapy is known for improving respiratory concerns, skin conditions and overall well-being. The treatment begins with a dry salt exfoliation followed by a massage in the spa’s Himalayan Salt Room.