There is no greater pleasure as an educator than watching your students use the skills and knowledge they have gained to thrive in their chosen career path.
That is why we are so thrilled to shine a spotlight on Lorinda Bissaker, a remarkable, driven individual with a true passion for skincare who uses her brand to give back to the community through several charity partnerships. Between her professional success and philanthropic efforts, Lorinda is a paragon that ACHW is delighted to count amongst our students.
We spoke with Lorinda recently to learn more about her personal journey.
Lorinda’s career in skincare and the beauty industry began in 2004 with her earning a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. While she enjoyed this study, she told us that her goal was owning her own space and that is why she pursued further education to earn both a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources.
By 2013, Lorinda had achieved her goal. She purchased her first salon that year, Aria Skin and Body in the Hunter Valley, and opened a second in 2014. Her focus now was very particularly on skin and helping her clients achieve long-term skin health.
“We introduced clinical treatments that moved away from traditional beauty and spa offerings,” she tells us. “We also introduced some incredible skincare ranges, such as DMK and Aspect. These gave great results, however the limitation was in client budget constraints.”
This led Lorinda to her new career goal: creating a quality cosmeceutical range that was more affordable for the client, while having a social and environmental impact focus.
In November 2020, Lorinda embarked on a new academic adventure, joining the Australasian College of Health and Wellness to study the Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics). Her motivation stemmed from desiring her cosmeceutical range, In Practice Skincare, to be backed by science and meet the rigorous standards she expected to see in her salons. “I wanted to ensure In Practice Skincare is grounded in clinical knowledge,” Lorinda explains.
Lorinda’s search for the right educator took her to ACHW because it matched her needs as a student. “Between family and work commitments, I needed a provider that allowed me to study flexibly and that held practical assessments across achievable blocks,” she tells us.
Since beginning her study at ACHW, Lorinda’s experience has been nothing short of transformative. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “The growth in knowledge has been invaluable. I studied my diploma back in 2004 and while I have attended ongoing training through different product companies, my depth of clinical understanding has grown. The content, education and placements at ACHW have been fantastic.” Beyond the academic enrichment, Lorinda has cherished the camaraderie with fellow students who share her passion for elevating the skincare industry towards higher education and regulation.
Lorinda’s study at ACHW, while still ongoing, has already brought benefits to her career. She highlights how it has expanded her depth of knowledge and confidence, while providing a greater understanding of her role as part of the broader allied health services.
“Working with an integrative approach is essential for optimal client results,” she notes. “The degree also opens up more opportunities and scope to work alongside allied health professionals”
Driven by her fascination with skincare science and its impact on long-term skin health, Lorinda ventured into creating her own cosmeceutical line. She began working on the range “behind the scenes” in 2017, but it truly took off when she started collaborating with formulators in 2020. The big day finally came in late 2021 and In Practice Skincare was officially launched.
Today they offer a wide range of skincare products, including cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and their Signature Hydrator Crème. They use recyclable glass packaging for serums and the hydrator, offer refill pouches for certain products, and their cleanser tubes are made from sugarcane plastic, which is considered a more sustainable option for the environment.
Lorinda’s primary goal was to offer a high-quality line at an affordable price point. “When I started working on the brand, I knew I had to create a range that could be retailed in the clinics alongside our high-end ranges and achieve the results our clients expected,” she explains.
But she also wanted to stand out from the crowd, while also providing something more to her customers and the wider community. “The skincare market is competitive and flooded. I always wanted to do things differently and for the brand to be about more than just skincare,” she says. “This is why the brand has a focus on creating community change and being environmentally aware. These goals are ongoing through being mindful of our packaging choices and through our partnership with i=Change to donate to life changing initiatives.”
Lorinda’s brand mission states: Our vision for a better future is one that’s rooted in community initiatives to promote sustainability. In turn, consumers can be empowered by voting with their wallets for what they believe in for themselves, the planet, and people. Her commitment to community change is evident through her partnership with i=Change.
Through this initiative, Lorinda donates $1 for every sale they make to one of three important causes. The first cause is Beyond Blue. She says, “This initiative is something I am passionate about as my husband works as a veterinarian in an industry which faces mental health challenges disproportionate to many other professional industries. My hope is that our brand can support an initiative that supports so many who may need help along their journey with mental health.”
Lorinda’s second cause is Women’s Community Shelters. Recognising that we are facing a domestic violence crisis, she chose to support this initiative to help women escape unsafe situations. This crucial step can be incredibly difficult, so the help that community shelters provide is very important.
Her final initiative, Greening Australia, aligns with her desire to minimise the brand’s carbon footprint and promote sustainability. “I hope to ensure our brand leaves a smaller carbon footprint and believe that if each business takes just small steps to be sustainable, we can collectively make greater change,” she explains.
It is very clear that Lorinda actively lives her morals and ethics, and she is a wonderful role model and inspiration for anyone with similar goals.
Lorinda Bissaker’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of education, passion, and dedication. Her continuous pursuit of knowledge, coupled with her commitment to making a positive impact in the skincare industry and beyond, sets her apart as a true leader. We are proud to spotlight Lorinda and celebrate her achievements, both as a student at ACHW and as an influential figure in the beauty and health sciences sector.
We look forward to seeing her future endeavours and the continued success of her socially and environmentally positive cosmeceutical line.
