Meet Alanna Tran | Founder, CEO & Chief Scientist of BiotechBeauty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alanna Tran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alanna, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents’ unwavering support. From investing in my education to encouraging me to pursue any career path that my heart called me to—and ultimately inspiring me with their work ethic to launch my own startup—they showed me that the world is full of possibilities and that each of us has the power to make a unique impact.

Beyond my parents’ sacrifices and support, the most important factor behind my success has been a steadfast passion for my work and the purpose driving it. My journey has been anything but linear, yet my desire to create something authentic and meaningful has fueled me through late nights, endless revisions, and the inevitable bumps along the way.

BiotechBeauty is so much more than just a business for me; it’s a heartfelt purpose shaped by my journey in the beauty industry. My passion for the science behind cosmetics inspired me to pivot from my pre-med track during my junior year at Berkeley to embark on a career in the beauty industry. That same enthusiasm helped me land my first role as a cosmetic chemist at Biossance, where I immersed myself in understanding how biotech can power sustainable, efficacious skincare. Then, I craved the creative aspect of the industry, which led me from the lab bench to L’Oréal’s global marketing team, where I got to blend my scientific knowledge with innovative marketing ideas. Ultimately, it was this passion that inspired me to take the leap and start my own company, driven by the vision of filling the gap in the market for clean, sustainable makeup that acts like clinical-grade skincare. My scientific roots and creative drive allowed me to see beauty formulation through a unique lens, something I now embrace as one BiotechBeauty’s greatest strengths.

As I look ahead, I’m motivated by the opportunity to keep pushing boundaries and redefining what clean beauty can be. BiotechBeauty has been a labor of love, shaped by a commitment to science, sustainability, and authenticity, and I’m grateful for every challenge that’s brought us closer to this vision. My journey with BiotechBeauty reminds me daily that while passion may ignite the spark, it’s resilience, purpose, and the support of an incredible community that truly fuel the path forward. I’m excited for what’s next and to continue building something that not only enhances individual beauty but also makes a positive impact on our planet.

What should our readers know about your business?
BiotechBeauty was born out of a personal mission: as someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I wanted makeup that not only looked beautiful but truly supported skin health. Our approach blends high-performance color with active skincare, driven by bioengineered ingredients that we rigorously test for measurable results. I’m particularly honored that we won the Beauty Tank pitch competition at Makeup in LA and received the TroyLabs pitch competition grant this year. These affirmations underscore the value of what we’re building. They validate BiotechBeauty’s science-driven, sustainability-focused mission and inspire confidence that our approach resonates with our community.

Unlike many “clean beauty” brands that rely on low, marketing-only levels of “good-for-you” ingredients, BiotechBeauty is committed to clinically validated formulas that deliver real, measurable results—especially for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Having worked in the industry, I’ve seen how rare it is for beauty brands to test their products for efficacy, which is shocking given how crucial effectiveness is to consumers. But at BiotechBeauty, we do things differently. Every product is formulated with bioengineered ingredients—such as stem cell extracts, vegan collagen, and ceramides—at active levels and rigorously tested to ensure that our makeup not only applies beautifully but also supports the microbiome and strengthens the skin barrier. We follow the National Eczema Association’s formulation guidelines, carefully avoiding common irritants including essential oils and fragrances found in many other brands. Plus, we conduct dermatologist-overseen clinical trials on a diverse group of volunteers with sensitive and acne-prone skin to ensure our formulas are truly non-irritating and non-comedogenic.

Transparency is central to our mission. We go beyond vague marketing claims, sharing clear ingredient education and third-party lab validation to empower consumers to make informed choices. Today’s consumers deserve clarity, and BiotechBeauty is committed to setting a new standard in science-backed transparency.

Sustainability is another core value. We replace nonrenewable or exploitatively sourced ingredients with biotechnology—like sugarcane-derived squalane instead of animal or olive-based sources, biodesigned vegan polypeptides that mimic collagen, and lab-made mica as an ethical alternative to mined mica. Our packaging uses FSC-certified paperboard printed with vegetable inks and water-based coatings to facilitate recycling, along with 50% post-consumer recycled plastic components. All formulas are vegan and certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Program and PETA, making them as kind to the planet as they are to your skin.

Starting BiotechBeauty came with its own set of challenges, from sourcing groundbreaking ingredients to meeting high clinical standards. Through it all, I’ve learned that authenticity resonates—when people see your commitment to genuine values, they’re more likely to rally together in support of your mission. Staying true to our values has been key to our success, and the positive impact we’re seeing on people’s confidence and on sustainability in the beauty industry makes every challenge worthwhile.

BiotechBeauty is more than just makeup; it’s a clinically backed approach to enhancing skin health, supporting self-expression, and driving positive environmental change. By prioritizing efficacy, transparency, and ethics, we’re working to shape an industry that empowers everyone—our customers, partners, and the planet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My friends and I are huge foodies, so any visit would definitely turn into a SoCal food tour. The first stop is always Westminster in OC for what I’d argue is the best phở, bún bò Huế, and bánh xèo in the country. From there, we’d head up to Delilah in WeHo for drinks and live music in a super cozy 1920s-inspired venue. After that, we hop over to Laurel Hardware and Employees Only (don’t miss the Amelia cocktail!) before ending the night dancing at Desert 5 Spot.

To make room for more food, the next day starts with an early morning class at BeFit Modern Pilates in Long Beach—Paige and Kathryn are my favorite instructors! After, we’d grab green juices from Mother’s Market across the street and head down to San Diego for lobster rolls at Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich. Then we’d catch the sunset at La Jolla and hang out with the sea lions.

Other must-try spots: HiroNori for tonkotsu ramen, La Sirena in Laguna for a carne asada burrito and horchata, and Piccalilli in Culver City for the Bangtao tea. I’m also obsessed with Istanbul Grill in Fountain Valley—the lamb Adana kebab, labneh, baba ganoush, and baklava are to die for. It’s a lot of driving, but it’s worth it.

For a break from all the food, we’d go up to Griffith Observatory at night to see the city lights and check out the Tesla coil demonstration. Never gets old!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and friends, who have been my support system throughout this journey—from encouraging my education, to supporting my early steps in the beauty industry, and ultimately standing by me as I founded BiotechBeauty. Thank you to Mama, Baba, Aimee, Aileen, Adrian, Chloe, Claire, and Christian. From brainstorming together at the dinner table to being the first to test our formulas, you’ve been the anchor that’s kept me grounded and inspired.

I’m also grateful to the labs, suppliers, and interns who believed in BiotechBeauty’s vision from the very beginning, dedicating countless hours and resources to pioneering the formulations and transparent science education that make our brand unique. Lastly, my heartfelt thanks go to my mentors and professors—Gary Kusin and Gordon Ho—who offered invaluable guidance across research, development, marketing, and business strategy. Thanks to their support, I’m inspired to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in beauty.

Website: https://www.biotechbeautyus.com

Instagram: @biotechbeautyus and @alanna_tran

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alannatran and www.linkedin.com/company/biotechbeauty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biotechbeautyus

Image Credits
UC Berkeley Graduation Photo: @MaggieSheaPhoto
USC Graduation Photo: Matthew Owen