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My 9 Things: What Aesop’s chief customer officer, Suzanne Santos, packs to practice self-care while traveling

Suzanne Santos, chief customer officer and the woman with the inside scoop into what Aesop consumers want and think, talks skincare must-haves and the intersection between beauty and the luxury travel industry. | By Leanne Philip | August 3, 2023

What do a luxury beauty brand and a premier hotel collection have in common? More than you think. Just ask Suzanne Santos, chief customer officer (and the company’s very first employee!) of Aesop, the Australian skin and hair care brand celebrated for its top-tier ingredients and minimalist design philosophy.

Says Santos, “Aesop was created by a curious mind … so naturally we [find] ourselves connecting with those who love to travel.” Noting the brand's partnership with Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (debuted in 2022), Santos adds, “[Aesop’s] formulations are the dependable, delightful and distinctive ‘constant’ for our customers, creating exquisite routines whether we are traveling for business or leisure. This aligns us well with Waldorf Astoria, who have an unwavering commitment to excellence and offer an exceptional guest experience.”

Now that we know more about the intersection between the beauty industry and luxury travel, it’s time to dig deep into the hard questions — namely what are Santos’ top travel skincare tips?

Santos’ number one tip: “A healthy, balanced lifestyle is vital if the products you apply topically are to be truly effective.” She continues, “the Purifying Exfoliant Paste and Blue Camomile Hydrating Masque work for most skin types and rapidly respond to the rigors of travel.”

The balance Santos looks for in her skincare routine is also key when choosing where to stay. "Arriving at a hotel where the amenities are chosen for excellence makes a huge difference. The rooms are set up for living and not wanting." She continues, "[I had the] opportunity to stay at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam last year and [it] was absolutely noteworthy. From the sincere welcome through to the ongoing attention and care, the hotel excelled."

Which is exactly why Waldorf Astoria and self-care devotees will be thrilled to find Aesop bathroom amenities (including the Classic Shampoo and Conditioner, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and more) in-room and available on-property. So, here’s to a rejuvenating and restful stay — no matter where your travels take you. Oh, and still not quite sure which products to pack for your trip? Keep reading for the nine items Santos always packs to practice self-care while traveling.

Cleanser

Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser is an absolute must when I’m traveling, particularly for seeing off the effects of pollution and pollen. It’s just a reliable, beautiful product, and it contains lactic acid which is wonderful for a mild exfoliation. The product puts in all the effort for you. I might leave the cleanser on my face for a few minutes, use that time to stretch and allow the product to work, then wash it off in the shower.

Book

I always bring two well-selected books when I travel, as it can be challenging to find a great bookstore last minute. There’s nothing more painful than being on a plane or jet-lagged and you can’t get into whatever book you’ve chosen.

Toner

A 3.3-fluid-ounce (100-milliliter) B & Tea Balancing Toner is a surprising addition to a travel bag to compensate for the reality of excess eating and drinking and disrupted sleep, all of which affect the skin. B & Tea allows me to act quickly and aid the skin with active ingredients and one splash. The important thing is how to use your toner: Splash it directly into your hands, and pat onto the skin. There is no pause, and you can quickly follow with a hydrator and get out the door.

Moisturizer

Parsley Seed Antioxidant Intense Serum always meets the needs of my skin as I travel to multiple different cities. I want weightless hydration, and this serum offers weightless hydration with a punch.

Stretching equipment

Traveling with a roller ball has been amazing — it compensates for our body's stagnation after a long-haul journey and is so simple. You can stand against a wall and roll out your back; it’s such a small but effective thing to do and gives instant relief. Resistance bands are also absolutely lifesaving. Again, an insignificant item that packs so well and allows you to start the day with a good stretch, even if you don’t have the energy to go down to the hotel gym. Five minutes is all it takes.

Eye serum

Exalted Eye Serum is another essential for me. It’s a potent yet lightweight serum with vitamins B, C and E, and delivers targeted hydration to the area surrounding the eyes and helps to even the appearance of skin. Without exaggeration, I could happily go away for a few days and put this serum all over my face and be very comfortable. If I was really narrowed down by my in-flight carry-on space, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

Body cleanser

Again, if I had to narrow it down to even more essentials, I would happily pack just Exalted Eye Serum and a few body care items. Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is ideal because it always brings me renewed energy.

Editor’s note: this product is available in-room at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

Fragrance

You can’t leave home without perfume. I find if I wear Hwyl Eau de Parfum, it doesn’t matter what the climate is or what time of day it is, it’s timeless and just makes you feel good, so it’s particularly well suited to travel. Perfume embodies who you decide to be when you walk out the door, who you decide to be when you’re traveling, and right now Hwyl provides that for me.

Body balm

Equally, Rind Concentrate Body Balm is a travel essential. The citrus aroma from the pink grapefruit, orange and lemon ride is truly uplifting, and also has cooling properties, which is ideal if you find yourself in a warmer climate.

Editor’s note: this product is available in-room at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

Leanne Philip is a content marketing manager at Hilton. She has written for numerous print and digital platforms, including Travel + Leisure, The Atlantan and Barneys New York.