Costa Rica’s new Estée Lauder Skin Longevity Institute turns back the clock on aging

Unexpected. That’s the first thought that springs to mind upon hearing that Estée Lauder has opened its first Skin Longevity Institute in the Americas in Pérez Zeledón, a wildly lush, remote patch of Costa Rica teeming with coffee farms.

But then one learns that the Institute, centered around the brand’s age-defying Re-Nutriv skin-care collection, is located at the hyperluxe Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, and the Lauder alliance starts making perfect sense. After all, Pérez Zeledón is adjacent to one of the world’s five “Blue Zones,” recognized for a high concentration of centenarians and an extraordinarily healthy lifestyle.

“Hacienda AltaGracia has always been a destination for transformative well-being experiences rooted in nature, culture and purpose,” says Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, vice president of well-being at Auberge Resorts Collection. “With Estée Lauder’s cutting-edge Skin Longevity science and luxurious Re-Nutriv treatments, we’re elevating our commitment to longevity-focused wellness in an entirely new way.”

Opened in fall 2021, the Instagram-perfect property comprises 50 spacious one- and two-bedroom casitas along with multiple restaurants, pools, hiking trails, horse stables and lounging areas, all spread out over 180 verdant, rainforest-y acres. But it’s the singularly stunning spa and wellness facility, dubbed Casa de Agua, that’s the real showstopper.

Drawing focus? A light-filled, glass-walled pool and hot tub atrium, featuring sky-high ceilings adorned with massive flower boxes. Spacious heated marble beds stand at the ready, and once guests are slathered with custom-crafted, herb-infused muds, they hop on up and bake for a bit before rinsing off in the adjacent showers and heading to the treatment rooms for services.

For the Institute, Lauder has crafted a menu of Skin Longevity face and body treatments, each preceded by a comprehensive AI skin analysis that enables aestheticians to craft a bespoke regimen of Re-Nutriv serums and creams for guests.

There are four types of Age Reversal facials, ranging in length from 45 minutes to over an hour: the skin-plumping, massage-heavy Sculpting; the purifying, pore-refining Renewal; the brightening and clarifying Glowing; and the barrier-boosting Strengthening.

Also under the Age Reversal umbrella are two combo face and body treatments: the 120-minute Energy Ritual, weaving together hot stone and lymphatic drainage massage, and the 90-minute Advanced Contour Ritual, designed to lift, tone and sculpt.

Though Lauder began masterminding the Skin Longevity Institute at AltaGracia over a year ago, it was formally launched this past May. And to kick it off in stellar style, the brand imported two New York City beauty and wellness superstars: facialist Crystal Greene and energy healer-mind coach Manjit Devgun.

According to Justin Boxford, global brand president for Estée Lauder, Greene and Devgun are part of the brand’s Longevity Collective, a hand-picked consortium of scientists, doctors, and lifestyle and wellness experts.

“Manjit’s distinctive approach to longevity and well-being through breathwork, energy healing and mindfulness practices adds an important dimension to the longevity lifestyle conversation,” he says. “Crystal Greene, who is now our global Re-Nutriv skin-care ambassador, was introduced to us by our longtime brand ambassador, Carolyn Murphy. Crystal’s signature facial techniques and approach to beauty from within, combined with our luxury Re-Nutriv skin care, provide the ultimate transformative experience grounded in our skin longevity science.”

So far, so good; Garcia-Tunon says the response among AltaGracia guests to the new Lauder face and body treatments has been “overwhelmingly positive,” and the $175 Re-Nutriv Ultimate Facial Massager has been flying out of the spa’s gift shop.

For “holistic” (that’s basically code for “inclusive”) nightly rates of $1,550, the health-centric resort offers guests all meals and nonalcoholic beverages, wellness and adventure experiences per a daily calendar and ground transportation to Pérez Zeledón Airport. Prior to arrival, guests are assigned their own “dedicated Compa” to act as a liaison and experience designer throughout their stay.

If all goes as planned, AltaGracia guests return home with some of that “Blue Zone,” live-forever fairy dust sprinkled on them.

“Consumers across generations are seeking out exclusive experiences to improve their overall well-being — mind and body,” says Boxford. “Longevity is the new luxury.”