We were lucky to catch up with Alanna Tran recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Like many of us in middle and high school, I struggled with really bad acne and relied on the popular solutions at the time—salicylic acid face washes, witch hazel astringents, and benzoyl peroxide spot treatments. These products stripped everything from my skin, leaving it red, irritated, and inflamed. In high school, I discovered how makeup could cover my redness and irritation, so I began wearing it daily. Makeup boosted my confidence, but most makeup wasn’t designed for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Almost immediately after applying foundation, I’d feel painful acne bumps forming under my skin. I felt stuck in a cycle: covering breakouts with makeup that worsened my skin, then trying to undo the damage at night with harsh skincare. Frustrated and exhausted, I wondered why makeup couldn’t support my skin instead of hurting it.

In college, while on the pre-med track at UC Berkeley, I studied human biology and biochemistry. During courses on skin physiology and topical drug delivery, I kept thinking, “What if makeup could do more than sit on the surface? What if it could improve skin health?” By my final year, my experience as a chemistry lab TA and biology lab research assistant had taught me to approach challenges methodically. That’s when I decided to pivot from medicine and create science-backed makeup that’s good for our skin.

After graduation, I joined Biossance as a cosmetic chemist, where I learned how biotechnology could power sustainable skincare. One of the key ingredients I worked with was sugarcane-derived squalane, a sustainable alternative to squalene, which was traditionally harvested from shark liver oil. This was an eye-opener for me—realizing how innovation could replace harmful practices with environmentally responsible solutions.

I then went to business school at USC Marshall and earned my Master’s in Marketing while working full-time at L’Oréal as a global product marketer for NYX Cosmetics. At NYX, I learned how to take a product from concept to launch and connect with diverse consumer needs.

These experiences gave me the confidence and clarity to create something new. BiotechBeauty was born to bridge the gap between high-performance makeup and skin health. Using biotech-powered ingredients, our formulas are clinically shown to support the microbiome and skin barrier. Our goal is to create makeup that not only looks amazing but also improves your skin as you wear it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a founder with a scientific background, my approach to product development is rooted in research and clinical testing rather than chasing trends. At BiotechBeauty, we prioritize science and data to create products that are both high-performing and safe for the skin. Our final formulas undergo rigorous clinical trials using advanced methods like transepidermal water loss measurements and microbiome sequencing, ensuring our claims are backed by objective, measurable results.

If you love makeup but also care deeply about skin health, BiotechBeauty is for you. We lovingly call our audience “Healthy Hotties.” Being a Healthy Hottie is about more than outward beauty—it’s about caring for your health internally, mentally, and even at the cellular level. Our products nourish the skin microbiome and support the barrier, enhancing natural beauty instead of covering it up.

I, like many of our consumers, value brand transparency and was frustrated by its absence in the beauty industry. That’s why BiotechBeauty is built on clinically proven claims and open communication about ingredients and processes. Our consumers are driven by science and innovation, seeking products that use biotechnology to deliver real results. They appreciate effective, clinically tested formulas that prioritize skin health through cutting-edge ingredients like lab-made actives and microbiome-friendly technologies, as well as our commitment to sustainability with cruelty-free, vegan formulations and environmentally-conscious packaging.

Our debut product, BiomeBlush Multi-Stick for Cheeks and Lips, represents a fresh approach to skincare-makeup hybrids. Unlike traditional makeup, ours is made with over 83% skincare ingredients, far exceeding the typical 15-35% in cream blushes. Packed with prebiotics, postbiotics, and polypeptides, it supports the skin barrier and microbiome while delivering a dewy, blendable flush of color. It’s makeup that truly nourishes your skin rather than relying on filler ingredients.

Our BiomeBounce Plumping Moisturizer Serum complements this by providing a skincare-focused base or stand-alone treatment. Featuring prebiotics, postbiotics, ceramides, vegan collagen, and fermentation-derived squalane, it strengthens the skin barrier and supports microbiome health. In just 14 days, users see visibly stronger, healthier skin, making it the perfect foundation for a glowing, makeup-ready complexion.

At BiotechBeauty, we don’t just add skincare ingredients for marketing—we design products to deliver on the promise of healthy skin and high performance. Your makeup should be as beneficial as it is beautiful, and that’s exactly what we’re here to provide.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building BiotechBeauty’s social media presence has been an exciting learning process. One of our standout initiatives is Formulation Fridays, an educational video series where I break down topics like microbiome health or biotech ingredient benefits alongside visuals. These videos make complex scientific concepts accessible, helping consumers connect with our products and technology on a deeper level.

We’ve also embraced trending formats to highlight common beauty challenges and how our products solve them. By blending education with creativity, we’re building a community that values transparency and innovation.

For those starting out, my advice is to stay open to experimentation. Your audience might surprise you, so listen to what resonates and don’t fear failure. Most importantly, let your mission shine through—authenticity is what truly connects with people.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Leading a team at BiotechBeauty starts with transparency and empowerment. I ensure every team member understands their impact on the brand’s mission and encourage fresh perspectives. I welcome collaboration across departments and seniority levels, as some of our most innovative initiatives have come from interns bringing outside-the-box thinking.

I also prioritize giving my team visibility across projects to help them see the bigger picture of what we’re working toward. For instance, our science communications intern recently helped organize and lead a photoshoot on set, which gave her firsthand experience in connecting our scientific messaging with our creative vision.

Regular communication, celebrating successes, and fostering a supportive environment are key to maintaining high morale. I also emphasize flexibility and empathy, understanding that when people feel valued and supported, they do their most inspired work. High morale is built on trust, respect, and a shared sense of purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.biotechbeautyus.com/
• Instagram: @BiotechBeautyUS and @Alanna_Tran
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biotechbeauty

Image Credits

Jason Kent (@JasonKentPhoto)