Personal questions:

What’s your ethnicity?

I’m Vietnamese-Australian. I grew up in a big Asian family, so cultural expectations definitely played a role in how I viewed beauty, success, and even skin. It’s something I talk about openly because so many of us grow up with silent pressures and I think it’s important to unpack that.

What did you do before you were an influencer?

Before content creation, I was actually a high school teacher, in English and Drama. I studied teaching for 5 years at University of Sydney and even worked in schools for a while, but deep down I always had this pull to share more creatively, to tell real stories, talk about skin, confidence, and the messy parts of growth. So I pivoted. What started as an acne diary turned into this beautiful community I never expected. And I’m so grateful for it.

What’s your dating life like as someone with acne?

It’s been a journey. When my acne was at its worst, I genuinely believed I was unlovable. I avoided dating, I cancelled plans, I thought no one would look at me and see me … just the breakouts. But over time, I learned that real connection has nothing to do with clear skin. The right people won’t care about your acne, they’ll care about your energy, your values, your heart. I’ve since been in a relationship with someone who loves me barefaced and all. And that’s what I wish for everyone: to be loved in their realest form.

Health Questions:

Have you taken Accutane to help with your acne?

No. Unfortunately, my brother who was on it experienced severe side effects, including long-term liver damage, joint pain, hair loss, and a deep period of depression that led to suicidal thoughts — a known but often overlooked side effect. It was a heartbreaking time for him and incredibly difficult for us as a family to witness. To this day, he regrets taking it, and his experience shaped my belief that there are safer, more sustainable ways to heal acne.

I understand that Accutane can work really well for others— and that’s amazing. However, not everyone is lucky.

Personally, I don’t and will never feel comfortable risking more harm to an already struggling body just for clear skin. Despite how bad my acne got, I chose to push through with gentler, more holistic methods — like herbal tablets from Zilch Formulas [LIZPP], managing stress, tracking acne food triggers, and learning to understand my body on a deeper level. And for that, I count my blessings every day.

I’ve chosen not to take Accutane and never will, but I want to make it very clear: I don’t judge anyone who does. I don’t feel superior, and I understand that for some people, it’s a life-changing solution. This isn’t a scare tactic — it’s simply me sharing my personal story and perspective. I just hope that anyone considering Accutane is fully informed and prepared for all possible outcomes.

Everyone’s skin journey is different. Each to their own — and I will always respect that.

Why did you stop the pill?

Being on hormonal birth control pills often masks health issues or hormonal imbalances, which in turn makes it harder for yourself and your practitioner to figure out what’s really going on. I was on it for 6 years + and it caused a number of health issues, including: poor gut health, depleted vitamins, headaches, more acne, weight gain, mood swings, UTI’s, yeast infections you name it… since stopping it in 2021, I am quite literally glowing from the inside out. Barely any symptoms I experienced before and I learnt so much about my body!

Try to look more into Fertility Awareness Methods, get a FAM teacher to guide you (I had two online educators and they taught me so much. )

After a lot of practice tracking information about cycles with detail you’ll get the hang of it!!! Your health matters, so putting in the time and effort to learn more about your body is crucial and will be worth it!!!

Words of advice:

How do you deal with hurtful comments or people staring at your skin?

I take deep breaths and take a step back, remind myself of my worth and that my beauty is not measured by other people’s opinions. I think about all the other things I can offer and by the end of it, I remember my value as a person.

How do you respond to people giving you unsolicited skincare advice?

I used to get so offended by unsolicited advice especially as someone with acne who has literally tried everything under the sun. Like, trust me, I’ve done more than a thousand things for my skin... I don’t need another person casually telling me to “just drink more water.”

But honestly, I got tired of wasting energy getting upset. We already have enough to deal with breakouts, the emotional toll, the healing process why add other people’s comments to the list? (Read “The power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle")

Especially with my Asian aunties, the advice comes in strong: “Put tomatoes on your face,” “Sleep earlier,” “Use this cream,” “Drink this herbal water.” These days, I just smile, nod, and carry on with my day. It’s actually really freeing not letting their comments get to me.

That said... if someone catches me on a really bad day, I might cry lol. But even then, I try to use it as a moment to educate. And if they’re still ignorant after that? I move on. Protecting your peace is part of the healing too.

How do you practice the art of detachment for your skin and relationships?

Detachment doesn’t mean not caring about your skin, it’s about letting go of the pressure to constantly control or perfect it. I’ve learned that skin health is a long game, and there’s no instant fix. I care for my skin with patience and consistency, but I also don’t let it define my worth. It’s about accepting that some things are beyond my control and trusting the process.

Practical tips for detachment in skincare:

1. Set realistic goals — Instead of obsessing over clear skin, focus on healthy habits like eating balanced meals and staying hydrated.

2. Focus on self-care, not perfection — Regular skincare routines should be about feeling good, not about achieving perfection. Do it out of love, not shame.

3. Celebrate the little wins — Appreciate when your skin feels good, even if it’s not perfect.

For relationships:
Detachment in relationships, for me, is all about understanding that people’s actions and feelings aren’t a reflection of my value. Whether it's family, friends, or romantic partners, I've learned to release the need to “fix” or over-invest in people’s emotional responses. I allow space for others to be themselves without feeling like I need to solve everything or seek constant approval. It’s about being present without clinging, and respecting my own boundaries while still offering love and support.

Practical tips for detachment in relationships:

1. Set boundaries — Know when to step back to protect your energy. Don’t feel obligated to overextend yourself to the point of burnout.

2. Focus on personal growth — Invest in your own hobbies and passions. Have goals outside of your relationships so that you can detach emotionally when necessary without feeling empty.

3. Give people the space to be themselves — Understand that others’ emotions and actions are theirs to own, not yours to control.

4. Practice self-reflection — Regularly check in with yourself to see if you're holding on to anything that’s no longer serving you, whether it’s a relationship or an old story about your skin.

For both skin and relationships, having hobbies and personal goals is key. It shifts your focus from external factors to your own growth. Whether it's learning a new skill, exploring a creative outlet, or working on personal development, staying busy with things that excite you helps you stay grounded and less emotionally attached to what you can’t control. When you’re thriving in other areas of your life, it’s easier to practice detachment and truly find peace.

Lots of love!

Your girl, Liz.