POREspective® Acne Blog
“What I Eat To Keep My Skin Clear & Glowing” on MindBodyGreen.com
This week I had the distinct honor of having my food diary published on my favorite website, MindBodyGreen.com! As a result of the high number of shares of this article on the MindBodyGreen site and social media outlets, women from all over the country are turning to...
Virtual Appointment Named Top 10 “Beauty Experience Gifts” on SheKnows.com!
I'm thrilled to make the SheKnows.com list of the top 10 beauty experiences to give your makeup-addicted friends! Read the article: "10 Beauty Experiences to Give Your Makeup-Addicted Friends" While I no longer offer virtual appointments, everything I used to share on...
Why “Natural” and “Organic” Skin Care Products Are Actually Bad For Acne
In my extensive experience treating acne in over 600 clients over the past 5 years, "natural" and "organic" skin care products, which are touted as having “no chemicals” are actually terrible for acne conditions, and, in fact, make acne much worse. If It Smells Good,...
Ask The Expert: What To Do About Football Acne?
Q: My face barely had any acne before we got helmets and pads on. Now my back and face are getting worse every day. What can I do to fix this? A: This type of acne (called acne mechanica) is something I see all the time in my clients who play football for UT (go...
Easy Roasted Chicken, 3 Ways (recipe)
Chicken is one of the easiest dishes to make, and you want to buy organic chicken to avoid unhealthful hormones and antibiotics. But let's face it--chicken can be bland and boring. The solution? Roast it in the oven with the skin and bones on to get it crispy and...
Collard Green Wraps, 3 Ways (recipe)
Collard greens are one of the healthiest foods you can put into your body, but cooked greens emit a sulfurous smell and taste that turns many people off who aren’t used to eating dark green vegetables. The solution? Rolling up raw collard green halves with a rich,...
3 No-Chew Ways To Get Your Veggies
Let’s face it: chewing is overrated. And if you’re a texture person like I am, many veggies give you the heebie-jeebies. But veggies clean out your gut and pores, so we have to find a way to get them into our diets. The solution? Use your blender or food processor to...
Tips to Get Your Acne Under Control
Did you know there’s a whole lot more to getting clear than merely using the right products? Here’s helpful information from Alissa Chasen, the owner of POREspective, to getting your breakouts under control. Understanding Acne Acne is caused by a bunch of different...
Are Your Workouts Breaking You Out?
Austin’s parks and lakes make it an amazing city for outdoor activity, but the Texas heat and sun can put you at an increased risk for acne, folliculitis, and sunburns. Did you know that athletes have some of the worst complexions around? Just like getting into shape,...
Why POREspective™ is Better Than Proactiv® and Proactiv+
Proactiv® is a three-part acne treatment kit that is sold on a subscription basis, and its major drawback is its one-size-fits-all approach to treating acne that locks people into auto-ship that they have reportedly had difficulty canceling. Most of the feedback we...
Got Acne? Stay Away From Seaweed (Spirulina, Chlorella and Algae)
Have you been wondering what is so great about spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, kelp, and seaweed? They are part of a huge family of organisms classified as "algae" that range in size from microscopic (spirulina and chlorella) to 180 feet long (seaweed). In...
Acne Remedies That Don’t Cost A Thing
There are many things you can do right now to improve your acne that are completely free: Grab an Ice Cube When you discover a zit forming, grab an ice cube and rub it gently over the spot for about a minute. Keep it moving. Don’t let it sit in one place or you will...
Can You Trust That Product Label?
Those of us who are acne-prone understand how difficult it can be to find moisturizers, sunscreens, and makeup that are safe to use and won’t clog pores. To help us make the decision of what’s “safe” to put on our faces, we often rely on scientific-sounding words on...
Acne-Causing Foods (and What To Eat Instead)
[spb_video link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOs3tz4YcY4" full_width="yes" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
Switching from Peanut to Almond Butter
Feeling separation anxiety (excuse the pun!) about switching from acne-causing peanut butter to acne-friendly almond butter? Here's a tip I share with all of my new clients on the best way to keep almond butter from separating, so you can eat it hassle-free! Get out...
Clean Up Your Lifestyle to Clear Your Skin
Interrupted sleep increases cortisol and makes it harder to clear acne: Night-shift jobs Broken sleep from new motherhood Insomnia Menopausal hot flashes Long plane trips Crossing time zones Laundry products must be free of perfumes and dyes. Safe detergents...
Chemical Peels 101
The words "chemical peel" could make anybody anxious who is unfamiliar with the treatment's benefits. Peels, however, are really just another form of exfoliation: a minimally invasive, low-cost and quick route to "full-on facial rejuvenation." Peels always bring about...
The Best and Worst Birth Control for Acne
Birth control pills are widely used today as a means to control acne, but most pills can have the opposite effect and worsen it. Birth control can be divided into two main categories: those that are estrogen-dominant and those that are progesterone-dominant. As a...
Get Clear From The Inside Out
While topical products are necessary to get completely clear skin, this "Clean Eats For Clear Skin" diet that I have modified for my acne clients, as well as certain supplements and lifestyle changes, can go a long way in getting your acne under control. Check out...
Ask The Expert: What To Do About Setbacks?
Q: Hey POREspective! I have been following my new skin care routine for 4 weeks, and my skin was already looking much improved. But, then I made the mistake of gorging on sushi rolls about a week ago, and I'm having a huge flare-up. My guess is that's why I'm having...
Why Male Acne Is Different
Most advertising for acne care products is directed towards women, but men need to address their unique skin issues and needs. There are anatomical and physiological differences between male and female skin, and these distinctions necessitate a radical difference in...
Five Causes of Adult Acne That May Surprise You
Thought you left breakouts and blemishes behind with that first crush? Think again! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than half of women over 25 still have acne. Grown-up breakouts are definitely different than the kind you had in high school....
A Lesson in Oral and Topical Acne Products
Home Care and Lifestyle Changes A daily system of antibacterial and exfoliating products is needed to treat acne. True control means no physical sign of the disease shows in its active stage. Since acne is a treatable condition with no cure, most adult acne sufferers...
Your Guide to the Management of Keratosis Pilaris (Rough and Bumpy Skin)
What does KP look like? This annoying skin disorder, called keratosis pilaris (KP), is characterized by thousands of hard, non-inflammatory keratin plugs that cover the hair follicles, making the skin rough and pebbled, in appearance and to the touch. KP can be tan,...