Euro Trip: From Science to Sunsets!

The journey begins with purpose. Our Production Manager (who also happens to be my wonderful husband, Eddie) and I share a deep passion for sourcing the highest-quality ingredients and working with people who share that same spark. So, when the opportunity to learn in-person from the scientists we collaborate with came up, we knew we had to say yes! And, of course, if you're heading to Europe for work, why not make time for some adventure and cultural exploration too?
After a long 12-hour flight to London, followed by a day of delays, we finally landed in Spain. We kicked things off in the best way possible—tapas, al fresco dining, and an insider look at the production of some of the peptides and proteins we use in our formulations. These incredible ingredients are harvested from plants in a biotech setting and replicate the chemical messengers that work magic for your skin—from brightening to hydration, antioxidant power, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
PRO Travel Hack Alert: Always bring a few Herbal Skin Solutions sample packs with you mid-flight—and extras to gift to the flight attendants! Every single time I’ve done this, they’ve given me a shoutout over the intercom. It’s such a fun way to make connections and, estheticians; it’s a great way to naturally build your social following! I noticed a big spike in our Instagram followers after one flight! Just remember, always give without expecting anything in return—let it be a pleasant surprise when that boomerang of good energy comes back to you!
As for the sample pack, here’s what I like to pack: At least one cleanser (luckily, I had all three, so I could freshen up after the flight and again after the long travel day), and my absolute must-have—the Hydrating Mist! The peptides and hyaluronic acid in it keep my skin balanced, even after hours in the air.

Beyond seeing our products being created with top-notch machinery and expert formulation, we also prioritize ensuring that our ingredients are sourced with mindfulness. The third-party microbiological and in vitro testing we do, along with case studies, ensure that our partners meet the same standards. Visiting these labs and working directly with the scientists in person gave us that extra layer of confidence that everything meets (and often exceeds) our expectations. (Check out the behind-the-scenes footage on my YouTube channel!)

Fast-forward to another travel day, and we found ourselves by the Mediterranean Sea for a photo shoot. Of course, we ran into the hilarious challenge of finding a location where people weren’t sunbathing nude—so, cue hours of editing! But it was worth it to highlight the purity of the Mediterranean waters in our Land & Sea Mineral Mask. And naturally, we took a dip ourselves—thankfully, we slathered on the SPF Primer first. I also brought the Saian SPF Mist for reapplication—perfect for face and body, and super travel-friendly!
Body Prep Tip: Before shooting, I prepped my skin with my favorite daily ritual—dry brushing! It’s the best way to boost lymphatic flow, which is like giving your body a natural caffeine jolt. And after time in the sun and saltwater, I was so grateful to have packed the Hyaluronic Body Crème to keep my skin hydrated.
Next stop: Sardinia! We soaked up the local culture while shooting, and I fell in love with the traditional in-bedroom beauty altars. They’re beautifully simple, with hand-painted pitchers for cleansing. The whole ritual felt like such a romantic, private moment. And, fun fact: Sardinians often look a decade younger than their age, which had me asking around for beauty secrets! Everywhere I turned, people mentioned olive oil and its omega-rich fatty acids—a superstar ingredient in their skincare routines. No wonder Squalane is such a big part of their daily rituals!

Another short flight took us to Pisa, followed by a scenic drive through Tuscany, where we had an exciting few days of R&D meetings at the Italian lab of Giuliano Cortopassi, the brilliant lead Cosmetic Chemist and founder of Dermasystems Cosmetics Lab. Giuliano shared some thrilling data on a formulation we’ve been developing together. This serum is truly special—it harnesses the power of bioactive peptides in perfect harmony with mushrooms to target and eliminate blood-originated pigments that cause dark circles and local inflammation. We’re so excited about this one—keep an eye out for its launch before the end of 2024!

We wrapped up in Zurich, Switzerland, and the thing I appreciated most? The water! Zurich has the most incredible glacial water flowing through over 1,200 fountains across the city. You can refill your bottle anywhere—it’s fresh, clean, and delicious. It reminded me how important access to clean drinking water is, something that should be a human right, but is sadly a rarity in so many places.

Now that we’re back home, I’m feeling extra proud of myself for packing light—we even shared a suitcase! But I made sure to prioritize full-size skincare essentials: the L-Mandelic Cleanser, pH Balance, Squalane, Super Booster Serum, Land & Sea Mineral Mask, Hyaluronic Body Crème, and Healing Cream all came along for the ride.

Speaking of skincare, I’m so impressed by our Super Booster Serum, which launched during this Euro trip. With all the heat and sunshine, my melasma usually flares up, but this serum kept my pigmentation in check. My skin feels clear, bright, and I’m finally confident after a sun-filled vacation!

Final Travel Tip: For glowing skin from within, drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day & add electrolytes. Trust me, hydration is key!

Check out the full travel vlog on my YouTube channel. It’s a little rough around the edges, but I wanted to share this journey to show the care and effort that goes into ensuring your skincare products go beyond professional standards. Travel lights me up in the best way, and learning from other cultures feeds into my creative process —this soulful business is truly my devoted altar. I hope this inspires you too!

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