Patrik Erne, host at BLUME. Baden, is the creative mind behind Aqua Salus, a unique body lotion that uses mineral-rich Baden thermal water as its main ingredient.
The idea was born from Patrik’s long-standing fascination with the 47-degree warm spring water, which has been renowned for its healing properties and soothing effect for centuries. What used to be an experiment soon turned into a certified organic skincare series. How did he go about that and what is the story behind the name Aqua Salus?
In this interview, Patrik Erne shares these and other exciting insights.
Patrik, how did you come up with the idea of creating a body lotion with Baden’s thermal water? And what makes Aqua Salus so special?
The skin is the largest organ of the body, and for thousands of years, people have sought out the health-boosting and healing effects of this special water. So, my key question was: How can our guests take a piece of this soothing care home with them? That’s how the idea for Aqua Salus was born.
What did your first attempt at making a lotion look like, and when did you realise it could work?
All I can say is: thanks, Google! I searched online for formulas, sourced the right ingredients, and started mixing and testing my first batches at home. The next step was giving the prototypes to our staff to gather feedback.
It took about six months to get from the first Google search to the finished product. Beyond the formula, many other questions arose: How do we protect intellectual property? How do we register the brand? How do we determine shelf life?
What challenges did you face when trying to produce the lotion on a larger scale?
The biggest challenge was finding a suitable manufacturer. Eventually, we found a partner who could scale up production.
Another issue was dealing with sulphur, as our thermal water is high in sulphur content. We had to figure out how this would affect the production of the lotion and how we can ensure a stable formula.
Why did you revise the formula after ten years and switch to recycled tubes?
Firstly, due to regulatory reasons: together with our manufacturer, we have made sure that our lotion meets EU standards.
Secondly, sustainability matters to us. That’s why we decided to switch to tubes made from recycled materials.
The name Aqua Salus was inspired by the Roman goddess of health and well-being. What does the name mean to you?
In the Atrium of BLUME., there is a large mural featuring an angel and the words ‘Aqua Salus’. Roughly translated, this means, ‘Health through water – water heals.’
Additionally, in our Ladies’ Salon, there is a painting of the Roman goddess Salus, who represents healing and well-being. That’s how our brand name was born – inspired by history and the healing power of water.
