Caroline Lorinet didn’t just stumble into the beauty industry; she has been in it since she was 16. Discovered by a fashion photographer in the South of France, her modelling career has spanned decades. Working in Paris, London, and Milan alongside Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, she has graced the pages of Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue. But her constant battle with skin flare-ups, including frequent allergies and irritation almost daily, inspired this journey, one as a skincare creator. After eight years of research, Lorinet partnered with a cosmetic chemist to create her eponymously named beauty brand. Using active, clean and organic ingredients, soothing sensitive skin, and rewinding the clock on wrinkles were top of mind with the formulations. Here, she shares the ethos of Caroline Lorinet, along with some valuable beauty advice.
By edtior Trudi Brewer.
Caroline Lorinet at home, wearing Repertoire.
Career
What's been your career high to date, and what do you still dream of achieving?
Research into cosmetics, including developing and creating a skincare brand, after finding a gap in the market. My dream would be to have my skincare brand globally recognised for helping people who suffer from sensitive skin while wanting to combat the natural ageing process. If people see my brand as a reputable range to repair skin and keep it youthful, radiant, and glowing at all ages – I would feel like I have reached what I have set out to do. At the same time, I have also recently decided to go back to modelling, which is also very exciting at this stage in my life.
What made you want to create a skincare line?
My skin journey started in my mid-twenties with an extreme allergic response to a clinic-sold skincare product, leaving my face severely burned, red, and flaking. After almost ten years of using steroid creams after retiring from full-time modelling, I decided to investigate skin-friendly ingredients that were kind to delicate complexions but effective for anti-ageing. During that process, I discovered that most cosmetic skincare ingredients can be harsh on sensitive skin, which prompted my mission to develop a skincare range for women who experience sensitivity. So, with well-known cosmetic scientist Ray Townsend, I convinced him to join me in combining the best science offers with natural and certified organic ingredients. Caroline Lorinet is a fusion of my French influence with the green vitality found in New Zealand.
What are the key ingredients?
Four main groups of ingredients work in conjunction for optimum results, with 60 ingredients in total. The first group are marine extracts, which include red algae, chondrus crispus, known as the ‘aloe from the ocean,’ and marine macroalgae from Antarctica. The second group comprises natural and organic plants like sea buckthorn berry oil, green tea, witch hazel, and rose water. These ingredients are all known for being antioxidant-rich and beneficial for sensitive and inflammatory skin. The third group is naturally sourced cosmeceutical ingredients like saccharide isomerate, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Gleditsia triacanthos and lime pearl, and lastly, probiotics such as saccharomyces lysate.
CAROLINE LORINET Gentle Refreshing Toner, $85. CAROLINE LORINET Hydrating Cleanser, $85.
Who can use this skincare?
Anyone looking to introduce quality, anti-ageing ingredients into their routines should consider Caroline Lorient. We recommend it for those aged 25 and beyond. However, it’s specifically formulated for sensitive or compromised skin caused by ageing, allergies, or sun damage.
What has been the most challenging product to make?
The serums. Due to the many active ingredients, both required extensive research to perfect the formula, which ensured they were powerful while being nature-driven and suitable for sensitive skin. Additionally, they needed to have distinct characteristics—it was an expansive wish list for each.
CAROLINE LORINET Super charge Serum, $142.
Created to lift, brighten, and tighten the skin, this serum fuses science and nature with Gleditsia triacanthos seed extract, a blend of algae extracts, and that moisture magnet, hyaluronic acid. It also contains certified organic sea buckthorn, avocado, jojoba olive and castor seed oils, sugar cane and lecithin.
What is the one product in your collection you couldn't be without?
One product I couldn’t be without is the Essential Smoothing Serum. It works deep into the skin to boost hydration while nourishing and rejuvenating it to optimum health. It leaves my skin feeling refined and replenished and in overall better health. My top tip is that I apply it to my face, neck, and décolletage and have visibly noticed a difference in skin texture compared to my chest.
Praised for giving the skin an enviable glow, thanks to the lineup of hydrating ingredients. Including organic sea buckthorn berry and olive oils, green tea, red algae, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or vitamin B3, and protein peptides. Together, these ingredients lock moisture deep in the skin for 72 hours.
What advice would you give other women starting a beauty business?
Have patience and endurance, trust yourself and don’t let others doubt your abilities. Creating a skincare brand involves many years of research, testing, and development before formulations come to life. Once finalised, you must design and complete the packaging, reflecting your identity and becoming your point of difference. Ensure you have originality and stay true to your brand values to be authentic. The most helpful advice I have ever received was from a business owner from a different industry: “Conduct thorough competition analysis and create exceptional packaging - it’s not enough to create exceptional products. Instead, it’s about the entire concept.”
Finally, collaborate with like-minded people to be a strong powerhouse that compliments each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Beauty
What are your secrets to staying healthy and looking great?
As a true beauty fanatic, I avoid the sun, stay healthy with good nutrition and exercise, and get at least eight hours of sleep a night. My research taught me that healthy skin is essential for generating healthy cells. However, most importantly, I follow a strict daily skincare routine and have not missed a day since creating my range of products. Use products with active ingredients to boost cell renewal and keep the skin youthful and glowing.
Caroline Lorinet skincare with some of Lorinet’s favourite beauty buys.
What is the best advice on beauty you've received?
Find the right skincare range, ingredients, or product for your skin type. Everyone's skin is different, and sometimes, it’s just a matter of trial and error until you find what works for your skin. If you are anything like me, you will never look back once you find it.
What would we find in your makeup bag?
Caroline Lorient Pure Vanilla Hand Sanitiser. I always apply it to my hands before I apply makeup so I don’t transfer any bacteria to my face. SISLEY Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick and Tom Ford Lip Color, Fenty Beauty, Gloss Bomb.
TOM FORD Neroli Portofino Fragrance Spray, 460. SISLEY Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick, $92. TOM FORD Lip Color, $94. Fenty Beauty, Gloss Bomb, $42.
Favourite fragrance?
I am a big fan of anything with roses, so Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is my go-to. I also like these Japanese scents from The City Collection by The Perfume Oil Factory - they smell divine and use only natural essential oils.
What’s your best beauty tip?
Adopt a good skincare routine. For morning and night, always cleanse, use a good toner to protect the skin from harsh chloride water, and then apply a serum that will deliver hydration and anti-ageing benefits. A good routine will protect the skin from the environment, including UV rays, crisp winter air, and appliances for temperature control and air pollution.
On business, beauty and her forever home - New Zealand.