How To Get Glowing Holiday Skin With Stylist Caroline Tran

Late last month talented stylist and brand consultant, Caroline Tran, made us all jealous when she travelled from her home in Sydney for a week of bliss in Byron Bay. This, she felt, was also the perfect time to give her skin a break, too. Tran had been stuck in the same routine for a few years and her skin had stopped responding to the products. She needed to switch things up. Below Tran takes us on a deep dive into her skin type and concerns as well as reviewing the new LA CLINICA ritual that helped her reach glowy holiday skin status.

ON HOW HER SKIN'S BEEN TRACKING RECENTLY

“My skin has been so-so, not great but not terrible. I was ready to try something new, and I’m in my late twenties and ready to play with more active ingredients. I’d say that I have combination and stressed-out skin. A facialist once told me that I carry stress and tension in my face! I can also get spells of perioral dermatitis (which isn’t fun). I often spend long days on set and forget to drink water, and some weeks are packed with events every night. I notice that during those times (when I’m not looking after myself) that my skin really plays up. My background is Vietnamese, and the one thing for me is sunscreen because Asian skin can get pigmentation easily. I think the ultimate luxury is having skin so good that all you need to do to look ‘done’ is to brush your brows and add a bit of tinted moisturiser. That’s the goal. That’s when you feel like you’ve made it in life!”

ON HER MAJOR SKIN CONCERNS AND NEEDS

“I’ve had some issues with texture on my chin and nose. Something that has been a big deal for me (and spoiler alert: I’m about to overshare and be a bit graphic!), I had a pimple on my cheek a few months ago and I attacked it. It scabbed, scarred, and got so inflamed that I had to go on antibiotics. What the heck happened? And still now, after three months, the mark and surrounding hyper pigmentation is still there. Vitamin C has been incredible for targeting that.”

ON HER NEW LA CLINICA SKIN CARE ROUTINE

CLEAR SKIN ANTI BLEMISH FACE WASH

“I’ve really noticed my forehead, chin and nose texture has smoothed out since testing this. I’ve learnt to deeply clean that area and I often double cleanse. You can also use this as a full body wash which is clever – it meant fewer products to pack. Also, my body skin has flared up recently because I’ve become obsessed with spin. You sweat a lot. Since I’ve started, I’ve noticed pimples on my back which I had never experienced before and hate. Wearing low-scoop back tops and dresses is my thing! So, discovering this cleanser has been a saviour for getting my body skin back on track.”

ESSENTIALS HYDRATING AND HEALING SERUM

“This felt like a treat for my face after spending the day at the beach. The salty air, sun and sand literally shrivel you up, so this serum felt beautifully hydrating. It soaked into my skin in a flash.”

ESSENTIALS VITAMIN C ULTRA SERUM

“With all the LA CLINICA serums I like how targeted they are. It’s refreshing to read the usage and for it to be so simple and factual instead of fluff. It has a high dose of Vitamin C and I used this in the daytime, and it was amazing to target that annoying blemish and hyper pigmentation I was speaking about. I’m really self-conscious about it so I’m diligently applying this serum daily.”

REBALANCING VITAMIN A DAY CREAM

“I used this one in the morning, pre-sunscreen and it’s light, super-hydrating and does everything I want a moisturiser to do: rebalance, repair, and protect the skin. I think my skin looks glowier and it's helped heal that that trouble area, too.”

ESSENTIALS DEEP MOISTURE CREAM

“I wore this moisturiser at night only as it’s quite rich but absorbs really nicely into my skin. I loved the texture of this one and my face drank up all the moisture after a day sitting out in the sun. A tip my mum taught me is to massage into the skin in upwards motions and always apply to your neck. If there’s anything leftover, that gets massaged onto the backs of my hands.”

SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF50

“This lotion is sheer and glowy and doesn’t feel like it’s suffocating my skin. It doesn’t leave a white cast either which is key for me as so many out there are not right for my skin tone. I wore this to the beach with just a tiny bit of tinted moisturiser or concealer and found that it sits really well under makeup.”

HYALURONIC ACID SKIN RECOVERY SHEET MASK

“Midway through the trip we decided to stay in, get room service and mask which was heaven. What else do you do on holiday? You get that instant dewy skin look once you peel it off. Literally a ten-minute facial. It’s loaded with Hyaluronic Acid, which is one of my favourite ingredients for making my skin look juicier and plumper.”

ANTI AGEING 3 FRUIT ENZYME EXFOLIATING SCRUB & MASK

“Towards the end of the trip, after layers of SPF, sand and salt water, I used this to give my skin a deep clean. I put it on late one day while sipping wine and snacking on fruit! At home, I would normally do this sitting up in bed reading a book. My face felt super-fresh afterwards. I don’t have any time to get to a clinic at the moment so I’m all about an at-home treatment. I think it’s the peak of looking after yourself.”

LA CLINICA SUN CARE COOLING RELIEF GEL

“I’m usually very careful to avoid sun burn but my shoulders did get a little too hot one afternoon and I slathered this on to cool them down. My travel buddy — fashion designer Michael Lo Sordo— was silly and got his big bald head (he has alopecia!) ridiculously burnt and this aloe vera gel was absolutely essential! We literally used half the bottle and I’m glad I threw it in the suitcase.”

ALL-PURPOSE HAND SANITISER GEL 100mL

“The most important travel essential of 2020! This mini sanitiser went everywhere with me. I used it at the airport, on the plane and at cafes and restaurants. Oh, and I took it to the beach and pool. I’m obsessed. It feels so luxurious compared to everything else I’ve tried.”