Dec. 8, 2022

Your next spa treatment could include a facial with bespoke, made in Canada products, thanks to a collaboration between Seneca and Toronto-based luxury skincare line Céla.

Students from the School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry (BSAC) helped come up with the unique formulas for Céla’s anti-aging facial oil and moisturizer as part of applied research projects conducted through the Seneca Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS). 

The products are being made with a botanical blend of ingredients grown in Canada, such as cranberry seed oil, Labrador tea and fleabane. They will be used in spa treatments and available for purchase.

“It’s been an extremely positive experience,” said Celine Tadrissi, founder of Céla and the Owner and Director of Hamman Spa by Céla. “Seneca’s researchers are unique because they can bring a formula to a level where it can be reproduced by a manufacturer.” 

Sonal Kamath, Professor, BSAC, oversaw the applied research projects for the facial oil in 2021 and the moisturizer in 2022. She is quick to credit the research assistants from BSAC’s Cosmetic Science graduate certificate program who did the heavy lifting — from sourcing raw materials to creating the final formulas.

“Applied research provides an opportunity for students to shine and help partners achieve their goals,” said Ms. Kamath. “Our partnership with Céla has been really fulfilling and our students have benefited from Ms. Tadrissi’s expertise.”

Anita DiNardo, who graduated from the Cosmetic Science program in 2021, agrees. She researched hundreds of plants to find the best ingredients and conducted the necessary lab work to create a Canadian-sourced, environmentally friendly product that met Ms. Tadrissi’s specifications.

“I learned so much,” said Ms. DiNardo, who is now an Associate Scientist at Estée Lauder Companies Inc. “It allowed me to gain experience as a formulator and grow my confidence. Had I not had this opportunity, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now.” 

Ms. DiNardo showcased the Céla applied research findings for parliamentarians and senior federal officials representing Seneca at the Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan) On the Hill event in Ottawa on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Her presentation outlined the challenge of creating an anti-aging face oil with sustainable, Canadian-sourced ingredients — highlighting everything from developing formulas to making packaging recommendations. 

Ms. DiNardo, Ms. Kamath and Ms. Tadrissi are all excited for the official launch of the Céla facial oil, which will be available in the first quarter of 2023. It will be packaged in a luxurious, red glass bottle with a gold lid in homage to the key Red Maple bark ingredient. The moisturizer will follow and is scheduled to go into production in mid-2023. 

Recently, Ms. Tadrissi gave various beauty publication editors a sneak peek at facials featuring the soon-to-be launched products. 

Best of all, a sequel is in the works: Ms. Tadrissi and Seneca are now in discussions about a new research project featuring Canadian seed-to-skin ingredients.

“The neat thing about this innovative project was to create an end-to-end Canadian supply chain,” Ms. DiNardo said. “In doing so, we were able to showcase what Canada has to offer to the cosmetic industry in terms of raw materials, research and development talent and manufacturing capabilities.”