Some people find themselves working in beauty through artistry, but Alanna Tran found it through science. After studying biology at UC Berkeley and formulating products at Biossance, L'Oréal, and NYX Cosmetics, she realized there was a gap she couldn't stop thinking about: why should makeup undo the work of skincare? Her answer is BiotechBeauty, her clinically tested, acne-safe, microbiome-conscious makeup brand built for people who love beauty but don't want to compromise their skin in the process.
We caught up with Alanna to talk about the shower rituals that double as brainstorming sessions, the surprisingly unglamorous work behind every product launch, and why making time to care for yourself isn't something you earn after crossing everything off your to-do list.
What does your go-to shower ritual look like?
I don’t reserve “everything showers” for special occasions. I love taking one almost every day! My shower is one of the few places where I’m not looking at a screen or trying to solve a problem. I’ve learned that I show up as the best version of myself in workout classes, in business, and socially when I’ve taken the time to reset through my self-care rituals.
If I wore full glam that day, I’ll start with the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser to melt away my makeup. I follow with the Banu Chamomile Jelly Gentle Hydrating Cleanser to remove any remaining oil and leave my skin feeling soft. I especially love Banu because the brand formulates specifically for acne-prone skin and conducts finished-formula testing with acne-prone participants. That’s something I deeply appreciate as both a cosmetic chemist and someone with acne-prone skin! After using it for the past few months, my skin looks calmer and more hydrated than ever.
Next, I use the OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner, which leave my hair silky and easy to style. Once a week, I’ll incorporate either the Redken Acidic Color Gloss or the Glaze Supergloss in Cherry Glacé to add shine and refresh the rich color of my hair.
I also think the shower is the perfect place to meditate and engage your senses, so I love incorporating fragrance. My current go-to is the Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki Body Wash. Once a week, I’ll add the full NERRĀ body-exfoliating ritual for perfectly smooth, glowy skin.
Somehow, I almost always leave the shower with a new idea. It’s usually when I finally create enough quiet time for one to come through.
What’s the one product you swear by and why?
I know I’m biased, but BiomeBounce® Plumping Moisturizer is genuinely the product I swear by. Almost everyone in my life has a bottle on their bathroom counter, so if I’m staying over, I know my skin will be well taken care of!
I created it because, as someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I needed a moisturizer that could support and strengthen my skin barrier without feeling heavy or congesting my pores. I use it morning and night, right after showering, and before applying my makeup. It gives my skin that healthy, bouncy glow that instantly makes me look more rested and refreshed.
Pull back the curtain for us... what moment or spark set you on the path to creating what you’re building now?
For years, I felt caught between being someone with acne-prone skin and someone who genuinely loved makeup. Makeup gave me confidence and a creative outlet, but so many of the products I loved would leave my sensitive skin irritated or cause breakouts. Being told to “just stop wearing makeup” never felt like a viable solution for me.
Studying biochemistry at UC Berkeley and later working as a cosmetic chemist showed me how much smarter products could be formulated. My experience at Biossance, L’Oréal, and NYX Cosmetics also taught me that science, performance, and the emotional joy of beauty didn’t have to exist in separate worlds. BiotechBeauty grew from the belief that makeup should never require you to compromise your skin health, and that it could deliver beautiful color while actively supporting sensitive and acne-prone skin.
What’s something most people don’t see about the work that goes into your brand?
Most people see the finished product on a shelf, but they don’t see the years of formulation work and scientific validation behind it. We don’t just choose ingredients that sound good in marketing; we clinically test our finished formulas under dermatologist supervision, including with sensitive and acne-prone participants and across diverse skin tones.
Behind every launch are countless rounds of formulation, stability and packaging-compatibility testing, supplier documentation, claims substantiation, production planning, and tiny decisions that ultimately determine how the product performs. Because BiotechBeauty is still a small, founder-led brand, I can go from discussing a formula with a clinical research organization to reviewing test data, answering customer DMs, managing inventory, and pitching a retailer… all on the same day. The final product may look effortless, but it represents thousands of very intentional, often unglamorous decisions.
Tell us one Gntl thing you do for yourself.
I make time to nourish myself every day, whether that means working out or cooking for myself and the people I love—even when my inbox is full and it feels like there are a hundred things I should be doing instead. Running a company keeps me in my head constantly, and intentional movement and nourishment bring me back into my body. They remind me that I’m a person before I’m a founder, and that taking care of myself isn’t something I have to earn by finishing every task first.
